|
|
|
Fiji is amazing!
We’ve been to 2 other exotic tropical places, Tahiti – Bora Bora and Kauai, those places don’t even compare. Well, Bora Bora is really nice – but seriously Hawaii feels more like Disneyland with Starbucks and Wal-Mart compared to the others (although, I must admit… having a KFC on Kauai did come in handy a few times.)
Great weather, the friendliest people we’ve ever encountered, beautiful beaches, amazing islands (there’re like 300 that make up Fiji) a Bure on the beach on a secluded “private” island, top-notch food every day – I swear it felt like we were in some movie or as if we’ve stepped into somebody else’s life the whole time there.
We were contemplating our visit since the government had a military coup a few months ago back in December 2006 and isn't planning on elections again until 2009. After some research and some advice, we decided to move forward with the trip. Fiji is extremely dependant on tourism and since the incident the industry has dropped about 33% leading to the loss of much needed jobs primarily at the resorts.
After meeting the people (and talking to other guests), we were happy to have made the decision to go. Nothing even remotely dangerous was evident anywhere and everybody we encountered was more than happy to have us there. Although we hear, the Fijians are always grateful to have visitors - that was evident.
Read More >>
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Amazing Vacation
Dear Fiji Vacations,
I think we forgot to respond to you about the fabulous honeymoon you set up for us at Yasawa! Well, almost 5 months later, we are still basking in the glow of the most amazing vacation either of us have ever been on! Thank you, thank you, thank you to both you and Melissa for helping make the trip such a dream come true. From recommending Yasawa, to setting up the seamless arrival and departure, it was all perfect.
We totally fell in love with the Yasawa Island Resort, the entire staff and the Bukama Village. We even made friends with some other terrific honeymooners from around the world. We took close to 500 pictures when we were there and we flip through our album all the time just to remind us how good we had it.
We honestly felt that there couldn't have been a more perfect destination for us to spend our freshly-married moments. Yasawa was so majestic and pristine. And Bure 11 was phenomenal. We spent mornings on our porch, afternoons on our beach and sunsets in our hammock. We had cocktail hour each night playing cards and nibbling snacks, and spent a few nights with a bottle of wine, staring up at the bright, bright stars on our chaise lounges by the water. It was heavenly. We loved that it was so private and intimate, but with plenty to do if you so desired. we snorkeled almost every day, swam in the Blue Lagoon cave, had private picnics to die for on deserted beaches, lounged by the pool, hiked, visited Bukama, drank vats of kava and ate to our hearts' content! The food was fabulous and more importantly, the staff (from the gardener to the wait staff to the activity crew to the musicians) were all unforgettable. They made us feel like family with their kindness and warmth. We miss them so much!
When we originally planned this trip, we figured we should honeymoon in a place so exotic; we would likely never be able to return. But after spending five minutes on Yasawa, we decided we would absolutely "HAVE” to return someday. So thank you, Candice and Melissa for all that you did to make our dream honeymoon a reality. It couldn't have been better in a million years. So sorry it took us so long to respond! We hope you are well.
Have a great week.
All the best,
Lindsay & Rett Coluccio
Newport Beach, CA
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fiji Vacations Goes the Extra Mile
Dear Fiji Vacations,
Thanks again for all the work you put in on our second honeymoon. We appreciate the extra time you put in on updating us about the Coup de tat and it's impact on our trip. Because of your timely correspondence we had the most up to date info when we departed. I will tell you that while this was our second trip to Fiji (Toberua), Vatulele far exceeded all of our expectations. Mark Kitchen and all his staff made it the most incredible experience. Vatulele gives you so much to choose from I think it is the best that Fiji has to offer - the best anywhere has to offer.
Vinaka vaka levu for all the help!
-Best Regards-
JD Dorothy
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Fabulous Family Fun
Bula Fiji Vacations!
We wanted to give you an update and some feedback on what for us was one of the best vacations ever and our favorite trip to Fiji so far. First, all of the arrangements that you made for us were fantastic, with very smooth transitions between flights, resorts, and finally the airport. The person who greeted us was very helpful and we appreciated very much the rapid change in flights you made for us, when ours was cancelled, as well as the arrangement for the day room at the Tanoa.
Both resorts were fabulous and very different. The combination made for wonderful variety and a really pleasant stay. Cousteau was beautiful, and we got the royal treatment from the managers, Mike and Sharyn McCoy. The staff there was terrific and it is really a great place for families with kids (although, we hardly saw ours). Our kids particularly liked learning about the reef life from the marine biologists, seeing the village and the rainforest trips. Snorkeling and diving were great! The food and bures are unbelievable and the whole resort is so beautiful. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone.
Our transition to Navini Island was very easy-greeted at the airport and delivered to Lautoka for a great boat ride in the resort's launch to the island. Navini is small but very beautiful with a fabulous beach and reef all around the island. Navini is less luxurious than Cousteau, but the bures are really nice, comfortable and very private. They are in beautiful, dense gardens each facing its own beach. This too was a very nice resort for a family with kids. Navini is owned and run by Arthur and Helen Reed who reside on the island. They are at breakfast and around for dinner and the evening festivities. Both are very low key and interesting people and keep things at the resort unbelievably relaxed. Meals are the one thing it took some getting used to - everyone eats together at one table (which is fun). The food is good - Australian or Fijian foods. Dinners provided a nice variety, including a Lovo one night and a great Fijian buffet another. Nighttimes also included everyone gathering for great cocktails - sometimes a Meke with great dancing, sometimes music, and always the chance to play vidividi and drink Kava with the staff in the bar. Evenings can be private as well; they will serve you a candlelight dinner at your bure for no extra charge. The nights are very fun and you get to be great friends with the staff, which we enjoyed very much. The staff is great and always willing to do things with or for you. It is so low key you feel like you are hanging with friends that you have known a long time. The snorkeling is the best we have seen in Fiji. There is great sailing and kayaking, good fishing, and trips to other islands. Also, a great volleyball game can be had with the staff each day if you want. Navini is great for kids. Everyone makes friends with them and will take them sailing, etc. A big thumbs up for Navini for a beach vacation! We would highly recommend both resorts that we visited. Hope to work with you again on another great vacation!
Nancy and Stewart McNab
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Exceeding Expectations
Fiji Vacations,
Just to let you know that my trip to Lalati this year was one of the most beautiful tropical vacations that I have ever taken. Lalati is a pleasant surprise in that the accommodations far exceeded all of my expectations. The bures are incredible, and the food rivals any fine restaurant here in Los Angeles. Living in the lap of luxury in the middle of the jungle on a beautiful Fijian island was an amazing experience. Then to top it all off, the surf break (Frigates Pass) has all the qualities of Cloudbreak, but much more playful. I can't say enough great things about the experience I had at Lalati this year, and I will be going back in years to come. Thanks for all your help in arranging the trip. You took all the stress out of traveling this year, and I will be booking all my trips through you in the years to come.
Lloyd
|
|
|
 |
| |
Melissa -
Jennifer and I just got back from our honeymoon, spent at Qamea Resort and Spa (8 nights) with our last night at Sofitel Hotel. Just wanted to say thanks! The trip and arrangements went without a hitch and the trip was fantastic!!! The resort was everything you described it to be. The fact that you have been to all 5 of the resorts that made our short list and were able to provide details for each was amazing and meant that we definitely made the right choice. The last night that you provided, at Sofitel, was most excellent as well. A beautiful resort that gave us an extra day of relaxation before returning home.
Thanks so much for your assistance with our trip. We won't hesitate to contact you again for what we hope will be future trips to Fiji.
Finally, a couple of impressions from us on Qamea that may assist with future customers...
- Staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We can't say enough about them and the way the resort is run/organized.
- Great snorkling directly from the resort and just a few minute boat ride away.
- Amazing diving just a few minutes boat ride away. The ability to "suit up" at the bure, be in the water 15 minutes later, then back at the bure 5 - 10 minutes following the dive was a unique diving experience that we thoroughly enjoyed.
- Food was quite good. One potential note for big eaters... portions are fair, but not the huge portions frequently found at American restaurants.
- Mobile phone service is sketchy at best. Jennifer had coverage with her phone if she stood in just the right spot (not positive on her carrier), I did not have coverage (AT&T). This can be a positive or negative, depending on the person. :-)
- To save money on wine, we did not follow your suggestion of packing wine with our bags, but waited until we arrived in Nadi and purchased 4 bottles from the duty free shop then. This worked fairly well as we were able to hand carry in our backbacks from there and not worry about breakage/special packing. Also probably saved us $40 US.
- We brought our own dive gear. The result was a $85 Fiji weight baggage fee. Worth it for us to have our own gear and saved us money at the resort not having to pay rental fees, but something others may want to keep in mind. Note - This is another reason to wait until at the Nadi Duty Free shop to purchase wine/other alcohol as we avoided paying the weight baggage fee on it.
- The travel arrangements for transfers via Destinationz went well. There was some confusion with regard to dates/times, locations. They quickly resolved any issues, meant a few extra minutes waiting on two occasions, but definitely no big deal. As long as customers are sure to check in with them immediately upon arrival to Nadi and confirm all arrangements, as well as call them (if possible) the day before any arrangements to confirm, all will go without a hitch.
- The resort alcohol and special excursion/activity fees do add up. The fact that you don't see any of these fees until the last day also adds to the potential sticker shock. :-) Obviously, the amount will vary widely depending on the couple and if they drink, dive, are into activities, etc., but just something to remind them to build into their budget.
Again, a fabulous trip, thanks so much for the great information and arrangements.
Don't hesitate to share my contact information for anyone else considering Qamea Resort - would be happy to share our experience with them.
Todd Sherman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
