A quick glance through tourist brochures in England prompted Eleanor East to spend her gap year in Fiji.
She wasn't even sure if people from her country visited the South Pacific so when she told her parents of her plan to visit, they were worried at first, but relaxed after Eleanor, 18, assured them this was what she wanted to experience.
She said travelling alone to a new environment was challenging and fun.
Eleanor and her twin brother usually did things together but this time she was on her own island adventure.
"I guess it's taught me to be mature and I can handle things I wouldn't otherwise handle back home," she said.
"When I saw the brochures, I was a bit unsure about coming to Fiji because I didn't know people had been here.
"But I don't regret coming because I've learnt so much from the people here about their way of life."
She was part of a group of tourists on a visit to the Waisese Waterfalls in Serua.
Their local guides made a refreshing stop at the falls for a quick dip before heading back the same way for another outdoor adventure.
It wasn't exactly a new experience too for this young lady who went on a similar trek in Thailand and New Zealand.
"It was something like this in Thailand but in New Zealand, I spent five nights camping in the bush," she said.
"It was fun because you learn how to fend for yourself, and you get to enjoy nature at its best, you learn to be independent and you learn that there is more to life than you imagined.
"This one in Fiji was different because it was a very muddy trek. I guess the rain made the path very muddy.
"Despite that, I made friends with other girls from England who also came here for their gap year break.
"We're all participating in the group activities on our tour program.
"We had so much fun when we reached the waterfalls. It's so cool and refreshing."
She arrived in the country on Sunday for a two-week break and was so far 'loving every minute of it'.
Eleanor said if she had to describe Fiji to her friends and family members back home, it would be "beautiful and chilled".