7 minute read
FIjI. STUCK ON AN ISLAND, I THINK NOT!
Words by Joan Gestro
Lie back, chill, relax. We’ve just got back from our daughter’s wedding on Plantation Island, Fiji. What a wonderful time had by all! It's a great place for children, parents, and us grandparents. It's an ideal place to unwind and enjoy adult interaction, while sipping a cocktail or two by the pool. The children's Kids' Club is also available from 9 am to 5 pm to keep them happy and entertained.
The beaches surrounding the three resorts have been swept of any coral, so no need to worry about water shoes. Also available are cooking classes, medicine tour, and sunrise hike. Our January visit, in the monsoon season; sunshine all day, rain at night. Do bring mosquito repellent and cream to sooth itchy bites.
FIJI - A BRIEF HISTORY
Fiji was first settled about three and a half thousand years ago. The original inhabitants are now called "Lapita people" after a distinctive type of fine pottery they produced. In 1643 Dutch explorer Abel Tasman became the first European to visit the islands. Fiji is a vibrant country consisting of over three hundred islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Called the “Soft Coral Capital of the World” by legendary undersea explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau. Fiji was brought into the British Empire in 1874 when Paramount Chief Ratu Seru Epenisa Cakobau, (King of Fiji), signed a Deed of Cession to Queen Victoria. Troubled by challenges from fellow chiefs and Tongan leader Ma'afu and by lawless settlers, Cakobau looked to Britain for peace and stability. He wrote
In 1875, Cakobau's hopes were gradually realised. British annexation of Fiji resulted in cannibalism being renounced, settler behaviour checked, and Fijian rights to communally owned land (some 83% of the national total) confirmed.
Arrival of workers from India
From 1879 through the next 37 years; 44,000 men and 18,000 women, were brought to Fiji under indenture. After five years of work, at agreed pay rates, they were entitled to free passage home, but two thirds chose to stay. In 1880 10-acre blocks were leased by Indian farmers, from the Australian Colonial Sugar Refining Company and as numbers grew, the Indians branched out into other agriculture, transport, shopkeeping and small business. By 1963, the general Fijian fear of domination by sheer weight of numbers and particular anxiety that political change might remove Fijian rights to land ownership which had so far been guaranteed by the Native Land Trust Board. These concerns remained, despite assurances from Indian leaders that their people did not want to own land and were satisfied with the leading part they now played in the country's economy.
PLANTATION ISLAND: A GREAT WEDDING VENUE!
A ferry service, from Denarau, just 20 minutes from the Airport, offers a free return airport shuttle. The ferry makes return one-hour trips to Plantation Island, Musket Cove and Lomali Island Resort on Malolo Lailai Island.
Upon arrival on Plantation Island, for our daughter’s wedding, we were stunned by the beauty of the crystal-clear turquoise water and palm lined beaches, in fact, quite breath taking! The stage for the wedding was, what dreams are made of; set on the beach, followed by a delicious four course wedding breakfast, in a bure decorated with fresh flowers. The wedding planner, the celebrant and the staff were wonderful to a fault. Vinaka!
Many activities on offer; snorkling-a very safe activity, even my seven-year-old granddaughter, along with her uncle, snorkled to the edge of the reef, a first for her! But the time came to ask “Please uncle, I think I need to hold your hand now.”
Swimming, surfing, coral planting, fish homes, water park, kayaking, stand up paddle board and relaxing, also the Bula Bikes for your stay, cruise around the resort on bikes from here to there and back again. I would highly recommend the inland tours to a Village as well as the dolphin safari snorkeling tour.
MALOLO LAILAI ISLAND
Lomani Island Resort - Adults Only, offers a golf course and a private beach. To experience the area's natural beauty, you can explore Mala Mala Island-Adults Only. With a private beach, beach massages and sunloungers, this resort is the perfect place to relax, soak up some sun. For some more rest and relaxation, visit the outdoor treatment areas, and indulge in hydrotherapy, a body treatment or aromatherapy. The on-site fusion
cuisine restaurant, Flame Tree Restaurant, features ocean views and a poolside location. Enjoy the gym, as well as activities, such as snorkelling, volleyball and hiking/ biking. A garden, a hair salon and a library are available to all guests. Our daughter and son in law, who escaped for a few nights’, post wedding from Plantation, were very spoilt indeed; “A breath-taking Resort, it was stunning in every way. We felt very pampered. The service was impeccable and they go out of their way to make you feel special, we’ll be back for sure” they said.
This resort is strictly adults only
MUSKET COVE
An easy walk from Plantation Island, along the beach, is Musket Cove Resort and Marina, by the ocean with a white sand beach, beachfront dining and a beach bar, perfect place to relax, with a cocktail in hand. You will see the odd teenagers milling around but no young children. Beautiful grounds with stunning views. Plantation Island is the neighbouring resort you can walk to. Free sandbar snorkelling is fabulous. They offer great free excursions with some stays. The Shell Village tour is a good cultural experience. Get a massage - it's more than worth it
RADISSON BLU HOTEL RESORT
On the last leg of our journey, and only 20 minutes away from the airport, is the Radisson Blu Resort Fiji, on Denarau Island. We stayed for the one night as we were flying out the next day. I would have loved to stay on but time was of the essence. Situated amongst 10 acres of tropical gardens, picturesque waterfalls, and a private beach. It truly is a spectacular Hotel, a must to visit, you won’t be disappointed. The resort offers easy access to shopping and businesses at Port Denarau, less than 10 minutes away.
No time to take a boat to snorkel at Malolo Barrier Reef or head to attractions like Big Bula Waterpark and Sri Siva Subramaniya, as we were leaving for the airport the very next day.
Here with family? While the children enjoy activities at the Kids’ Club, you can try out the new gym, practice your swing at the Denarau Island Golf & Racquet Club, or treat yourself to a soothing massage at the hotel spa, or make a splash in the four climate-controlled lagoon pools, six unique on-site restaurants offer delicious meals throughout the day. We dined at one of the restaurants, lovely food but my Australian steak was disappointing in flavour as we are so spoilt for choice with the flavours of New Zealand Beef.
DENARAU ISLAND
Chatting with a young Fijian about the history of this island, with cocktail in hand- resulted in my delving briefly into its history.
Denarau Island is man-made, created from reclaimed mangrove swamps. The development of Denarau Island started in 1969, when American developer Dennis McElrath purchased the land. The first hotel, the Regent of Fiji (now the Westin Denarau) opened in 1975. Between 1988 and 1991, Japanese property developer EIE International, purchased all of Denarau and started on a $200 million development project, bulldozing 850 acres of mangrove forest and building an 18-hole golf course, a marina , and more hotels. After EIE went bankrupt in 1995, the resort was purchased by a consortium of Tabua Investments of New Zealand, ITT Sheraton and Air Pacific.
Even though the hustle and bustle of everyday Fijian life is only
six kilometres away in Nadi town, Denarau Island is a shiny, upmarket, touristic, world class haven.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The sea level is projected to rise 17-35 cm by 2065. If this projection turns out to be accurate, the 30 percent of Fijians live in areas that will be underwater in the next 40 years. An estimated $4.5 billion over 10 years is needed to prevent and mitigate the damage of climate change.
