It’s been 2 years since Susan and I embraced Fiji as the official location of one of our Fabulous Birthday Adventures. When I turned 50 in 2004, we ventured to Tonga to swim with humpback whales and then to Fiji to immerse ourselves
in the culture of the remote island of Kadavu, ride a river raft through the prehistoric Navua Gorge and then be pampered at Royal Davui for 3 nights. Last year we went to Italy for Susan’s 50th and this year we decided on 3 weeks in Fiji to dig in, get current on all things fitting in as much as we can in this period of time. I promised Susan that we would spend more time at each resort and this is what we are doing!
Why Fiji? I could give you 10,000 reasons but here are a couple. Friendly light hearted happy people. Beauty and the Beach. The resort and experience options are like a smorgie platter. I’ll take a little super remote, add some super pampering and then go have 10 new sundresses made (I just picked the fabric) for less than $100! Why? One of my clients came to Savu Savu on their honeymoon and bought and moved there (they bought one of my staffs homes). If you’ve been, you know what I am talking about. If you have not been, what are you waiting for? And need I remind you that you DEFINITELY should be calling the fine folks at McCoy Travel/Fiji Escapes Travel at 1-800-588-3454 or 213-784-6133 to make your plans.
Or email Imustvisitfiji@mccoytravel.com. THE POINT is that we want you to call us, not another travel agency, to make your plans to Fiji! Okay? Deal? This is not your normal newsletter. It’s a call to action and that call will become louder as Susan and I move around the country a bit and I have more to report. Each resort, each town, each beach, each sunset has so much to offer. This is a country with eclectic offerings. Fiji is calling you, luring you to her, tempting you with her laughter.
Our itinerary for this fabulous annual birthday adventure is as follows: Dive Kadavu (where my love affair with Fiji began), Fiji Hilton Beach Resort (new hotel), Namale Resort and Spa Sanctuary (we broadcast our radio show live from here), J.M. Cousteau Resort (will broadcast live), Qamea Beach Resort & Spa, Vatulele Island Resort (will broadcast live), Sofitel Beach Resort & Spa. Click here to see our itinerary as it unfolds with pictures and reviews.
We have been in the country 6 nights. It all started when...
We arrived chipper and ready to go and our Rosie’s Driver and personal concierge, Ponto, was there waiting for us. He is a gem and takes the best care of all of my staff and our clients. Hey, he even took Paul and Madeleine to his cousins wedding! Our first 3 nights were spent on the remote and truly amazing island of Kadavu at the little resort, Dive Kadavu. Dive Kadavu was the first resort my husband I ever enjoyed together in 1990 and my very first diving experience. Cava (pronouced Thava) has been at the resort the whole time and to this day graces the dinner table with his presence and laughter and plays ukulele and sings like an angel. He is the Chiefs son, he is a chief to me. He is part of the sheer joy of returning to this place.
 Dive Kadavu is a 2.5 ish star resort. It’s geared toward divers as Kadavu has superior diving but it has so much more to offer. I did not dive while I was there, although Lynne, one of our clients from Maui, went diving almost everyday (or was planning to). Her 80 year old mother just meandered around, snorkeling, reading and soaking in the pristine beauty of one of Fiji’s best beaches. Kadavu is similar in many respects to stepping back in time. The old ways, the old villages, the innocence remains. 1/2 of the island (or less) has no roads. You get to Dive Kadavu after you land at a tiny landing strip, unload your luggage into a tiny clapboard airport building structure, and take a kind of tiny boat for a 15 minute boat ride where you roll up your pants to step foot in the water, the sand.. Stepping back in time. And palm tree clad beach, littered with shells awaits. Family run since the beginning of time, don’t expect 5 star. Expect some of the gentlest staff in Fiji, simple and respectful, doing a fine job. The food was the best it had been in years! The owners, Bob and Rena, have upgraded a bit so a few more creature comforts are there to enjoy.
Highlights of Kadavu:
Susan and I had them take our selves and 2 kayaks up the west coast a bit,drop us off with some  snacks and water, and we kayaked back to the resort after multiple stops for shelling, swimming, sunning and snacking. Mmmmm the 4 S’s!
Okay true confessions. We had them mix up some fresh squeezed pina coladas (fresh coconut crème that is) and sweet Sue and I giggled our way down the coast. Not to mention some serious shell collecting went on (take only empty shells) and shell envy set in! For those that don’t know what shell envy is, it is an ailment that sets in when others find the shells that you really really want. Sometimes you have to give us something near and dear to “buy” the shell! Once I offered
Susan 1 night at the Fairmont Kealani in exchange for a shell that I wanted. Of course, you don’t have to wonder why she likes me as her best friend. So Susan starts planning shell envy gifting prior to our trips to Fiji. I did get back at her with one particular perfect shiny rare unique smooth and utterly delightful little shell. As best friends, shell envy never comes between us. It only tends to make us better friends! :)
click here for more Dive Kadavu pictures
 The JAR BAR is a highlight at Dive Kadavu. Unique in all of the South Pacific, Bob is a fun guy and he and only he could come up with using old spaghetti sauce jars to mix up fabulous drinks. Situated on the sand just feet from the beach itself, you have not lived until you have a Pina Colada made with fresh coconut crème. Oh lord sooooo delicious. And if that is not enough, the Mindless game, which Susan likes quite a bit, can keep you busy for hours. Just swing that hook toward the tree and see if you can get it to land on the nail on the tree. I can do this 100 times and never “connect”. Susan on the other hand has it down and has success in less than 5 minutes. When the Band Boys start playing things really liven up. On this particular night, our clients Lynne and her 80 year old mom, Barbara, and my friend Sue, all were up doing the Tra la la. The Dive Kadavu Band Boys have delicious honeydew voices, you smile, you wiggle your feet and your heart leaps for joy. THESE are my people starts rolling around in my mind. I love these people. I love this place. This happens every time. I fall in love with Kadavu and Fiji every time I come here. It’s like coming home each time I land in Fiji.
Natokalau Village Meke: These ARE my people. In my heart. Years ago when my husband and I ran our week long kayak camping trips here this was the village we ended at. Humble and motivated they were and will always remain the happy smiley village. Chief Tomasi, the head of the clan, is a dear fun joyful man. His flock, his village, has followed in kind with providing a heart warming fun experience every time we set foot in the village. Now, Dive Kadavu and McCoy Travel offer the Natokalau meke experience. We are boated for 30 + minutes across the island, wade up to our knees, walk up a hill and plant our selves on the floor of the Village Hall. The whole village is there as it is an event, to perform for visitors as it does not happen that often. Maybe 1-4 times a month. Not near enough as this is their only source of tourist income. Otherwise, their lives are ordinary and subsistence. To have these guests come to them brings them joy and laughter. They string the most fabulous salu salus (flower leis) and sing like angels in a performance fit for royalty. They dance (meke) and play and the girls laugh, the kids laugh and it’s all about en-joy ment.
click here for more Dive Kadavu pictures
Susan and I left Kadavu with bittersweet emotion. We hated to leave, we loved the idea of moving on to other experiences. There is no place like Kadavu in my book.
click here for more Dive Kadavu pictures
That night we enjoyed a fine dinner with new girlfriends at Nuku Restaurant at the new Hilton Fiji. Great food and incredible live music. The next day we flew to Savu Savu and Namale Resort and Spa Sanctuary.
In Mccoy style, we arrived to Namale unprepared for our live radio broadcast back on Maui, KAOI AM. After a few adjustments, setting up a voice over IP internet phone, we called in and had a great show interviewing the Namale Resort Manager (in the studio this day was Mike Brown from the McCoy Travel office on Maui). If you want to know a lot more about Australia and Fiji/Namale Resort, you can find the Podcast of this show and all others at mccoytravelradio.com.
Susan and I have been here at Namale for now, 3 days. So much to report. Watch for my next Sunday/Monday newsletter to find out what happens next.
Oh by the way.. ENTER TO WIN A FREE VACATION.. WITH AIR FROM LAX TO FIJI, 7 NIGHTS AT NAMALE. Click here.
Moce and Vinaka vakalevu (goodbye and thank you very much)
Melissa |
Pampering Getaway to Fiji 
