FIJI
Barb and I have wanted our own private Blue Lagoon ever since we saw the movie, “The Blue Lagoon”, in the late 1970s. So, when we decided to fly down under to see the 2018 Australian Open Tennis Tournament we made an effort to detour to Fiji to check it out. A four hour flight from Sydney gets us to Nadi (pronounced “Nandy”), which is the main island in Fiji. It was raining so hard when we landed that we began to worry that our Island Hopper connecting flight on a propeller plane (Cessna Caravan) would not be able to land on muddy wet grass on Yasawa Island. Sure enough, we spent an hour looking at flooding out the window before the airport authority grounded all flights. We were stuck in Nadi for the night.
Rain, Rain, Rain!
We reserved a nice Westin Resort Hotel online and shared a 20 minute taxi with friends we had met at the charter flight waiting room.
The Westin Resort.
Wind and Rain
The hotel was nice but as a rule we try to avoid big beach resort hotels in favor of quiet and simple accommodations on lonely beaches where we have more privacy to enjoy the natural beauty.
There are many islands in Fiji. We want to go to a more remote island.
The next day we showed up at 09:00at Island Hoppers Hanger, and we flew to the Yasawa Island Beach Resort. Eighteen Bure beach side huts are set along beautiful white sand beaches. This is the only property on the 22 kilometer long and 3 kilometer wide island. Total occupancy capacity is 36 people. While we were on the island there were no more than six other guests at the Resort.
Our Island Hopper.
View of Nadi.
Flying from Nadi to Yasawa.
YASAWA ISLAND RESORT
The reason we couldn’t land the first day is because you land on a grassy landing strip. With so much rain, the plane couldn’t land.
We were greeted by the locals with a beautiful lei and coconut drinks.
The only other inhabitants are three tribes of Fijians. There are approximately three different families in each tribe but there is only one Chief for the entire island. Marriage is most commonly within the tribe but can sometimes be outside of the tribe, if proper approvals and tribute is paid. The bride goes to live with the groom’s tribe and family. The Resort hires the locals to work at Yasawa Resort.
Locals driving the boats for the Resort. They are all very friendly.
One of the local children that met us at the landing strip.
The only way for the locals to get to Nadi is to hitch a ride on the small planes, when they are not full.
One of the locals was our walking tour guide.
Members of the tribe were the only employees and managers of the resort. The tribal Chief’s spokesman, who has worked at the resort since it was built approximately 30 years ago, told me that the resort is owned by two Australians but the beach property is only leased and subject to a 50 year lease with current lease payments of approximately US $50,000 per year. The tribe has opened up their beautiful island to guests, and in return they receive cash and employment. The Chief’s spokesman emphasized how important it is for them to retain their traditions. They teach “respect” and it is very evident in the character of all those that worked at the resort. They were all very friendly and helpful and were always eager to call out “BULA” as a greeting whenever they saw you. Bula means “life”.
One of the traditions of the locals is singing and playing for us.
They use the palm leaves to make baskets to cook food in.
With beautiful surroundings and plenty of food mixed with traditions and “respect” these happy Fijians are blessed with contentment. It is hard to believe that in 500 BC there is evidence of tribal wars and cannibalism that developed as a way of humiliating defeated enemies.
The workers at the Resort greet you with song when you arrive and when you depart.
Tassie was one of our waiters. I got him to join our impromptu dance party.
Not much has changed on this island since the filming of the Blue Lagoon.
Beautiful Beaches.
Beautiful Coral and snorkeling.
We reserved the Honeymoon Bure. It has its own private beach stretching a quarter mile or more. We are in Heaven.
Our Honeymoon Bure. It has its own pool, and private beach.
Our private beach.
On our deck.
Our sitting room.
Scott enjoying the sunshine and quiet.
The local ladies come to clean and give you fresh flowers.
Our bedroom.
Our pool.
Nothing is polished or slick here. Just raw Fijian Island beauty. No need for frills.
Barb buying from each local tribe. They each sell at their own tables. Barb was sure to buy something from each lady.
The white sand, the blue ocean and white surf is enough.
We snorkeled the beautiful bays. The soft coral was magnificent. All corals were very colorful. There was a full variety of coral fish including beautiful blue star fish (as shown in the Blue Lagoon movie). We have snorkeled in many places. We were impressed with Yasawa Island Fiji. No coral bleaching. The Blue Lagoon movie shows how beautiful and vibrant the coral and sea life are and it looks the same or more beautiful today – 35 years later.
We swam underwater into a cave just outside of the Blue Lagoon. This cave is also shown in the movie.
We went on a nature hike across the other side of the island.
Playing alone on the beach with my beautiful wife is one of my favorite things!
The resort offers Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. You can also request a picnic lunch, and they will take you by boat to a beautiful beach, where you can stay alone until you tell them what time to come back and pick you up. They set up umbrellas and towels. It is a little bit of heaven.
Heading to a private beach.
One evening we also had a huge Seafood Buffet for the two of us.
At the main lodge pool.
Beautiful Yasawa.
Flying back to Nadi to catch our flight to New Zealand.
We are off the the South Island of New Zealand.
Habitual Travelers 