2nd Wedding Anniversary
Intercontinental Resort, Natadola Bay, Fiji
Date: Jan 1st - Jan 7th 2012
Two years ago, almost to the day, Laura and I went to Fiji for our Honeymoon and stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel. It was a wonderful experience and a place we instantly fell in love with. We were thinking about going back there some time soon and through circumstance we were able to do so again in January of 2012, this time sharing it with a lovely couple of friends of ours.
Below you'll find a day by day break down as we showcase to you the Intercontinental Hotel as well as this lovely little Island called Fiji.
Day 1 - We Arrive
New Years day, 2012 and we're up at 6am to get to the airport by 8am for our 9:45am flight. Laura gets embarrassed easily and I jokingly said if she'd like to hang back before boarding the plane so our names would be called out over the PA system and before she could respond in her usual embarrassed tone
our names were called out over the PA system. We were too casual. :)
We landed in Fiji to a wall of heat and humidity. We'd arrived and it was off to get through customs and to the rental car. It's mid afternoon here and it's been raining all day. We're not talking Melbourne rain, we're talking steaming hot showers.
Ahh, it's good to be back.
Day 2 - Guests Arrive.
Krystian and Steph are due to arrive today after a lengthy overnight flight. We did this last time we came and if I remember correctly, it's not the greatest time to fly. What makes it worse is they can't check in til 2pm and they arrived at 8am. Any plans to catch up on sleep will be delayed so it's drinks by the pool and some lunch.
Time for a nice dip in the infinity pool with and to ponder what we can do over the next few days.
Still too warm out so time for a late night swim with friends.
Day 3 - Our Anniversary
It arrived, our special day. The plan was to spend some time doing activities together (anyone for Kayaking) and then to enjoy a very special dinner at one of the best restaurants on the Island.
Time for our special dinner. The pacing is serious Fiji Time. Our booking was for 6:30pm to try and catch a sunset and we got out of there around 10pm.
Complimentary Chocolate Shots. The last time we came we weren't expecting them and they were the highlight, so delicious. This time around I was expecting them and waited all evening for this and I got a surprise this time around as well. Peppermint Chocolate Shots. Woohoo!!
Day 4 - Village Tour
After a discussion with the Concierge on the previous day about ideas of what to do, they recommended we do the Village Tour which only operates once a week and we are so glad we did.
We were to meet at the front drop off area where a bus would take us to the nearby Sanasana village but that bus didn't arrive (Fiji Time). It was next decided that we would walk there as it's actually not that far and we're not really in a hurry these days, but when the local tourist train, that jumps from resort to restort at a nice $60/head, was at the Intercontinental, we were all asked to jump on, FREE OF CHARGE.
When we arrived we are greeted by the village children, all wanting to welcome us and particularly wanting any lollies we had. For those of us with cameras, it was a chance for these kids to pose, and pose, and pose, and pose.
The time came to meet the village and their Chief. Because of tradition, our visiting group was considered a tribe to them and we too needed a Chief as a representative so I put my hand up for the role. :) But first, a refreshing drink from a coconut the size of a basketball.
The welcoming ceremony included the traditional Kava drinking as a sign of respect to the Village Chief and the Village tribe, don't worry, traditional Kava is non-alcoholic and this tribe had a very strict no-alcohol policy. I was more interested to see how Laura would handle that peppery tasting numbing feeling and she got through out. This was followed by the Village ladies showering us in Baby Powder, especially our cheeks, as a sign that we have been welcomed into the tribe.
What followed was a farewell song from the entire village as well as some traditional Fijian dancing which can only be described as "Walk forward, walk back, turn around, repeat".
This was definitely an experience that both of us thoroughly enjoyed and was truly the highlight of our stay here. Laura is going to make an effort to keep in contact with the tribe via the concierge and set up some type of pen pal system with the local school and her Grade 1 class back home.
Last but not least was an 'extended' drive to Vilisite's Fijian Restaurant for some garlic Lobster. I had a 3 course meal, including the lobster with Laura having a 2 course meal and our total bill, including drinks, was around AUS$45. BARGAIN!!
Day 5 - Snorkeling
Today was the day we went to Find Nemo. We had booked an early 8am snorkel and headed out but within 20 mins the weather turned a bit more choppy than we liked so we had to cut it short. The team at Reef Safari were great and offered to take us back out again on the 11am trip, to a different location, with much better weather anticipated. And lo it was most excellent. The photos don't do the experience justice but we did find Nemo and we soon realised he was an aggressive little clown fish protecting his home which is fair enough.
We were back to take some time and relax with a nice drink on the giant couches before heading off to a buffet Fijian dinner.
As coincidence would have it, Oola (our guide from the Village) was the centrepiece of the musical group providing entertainment for the Fijian themed buffet dinner. It's great to see a huge corporate hotel work so closely with a humble village next door. The Intercontinental also provides power and clean running water to the village by allowing them to tap into the lines they installed for the hotel. They've been a real blessing to that community.
Day 6 - Relax Day
Today was our last full day at the resort and we just wanted to sit back, relax, enjoy a leisurely swim and a nice dinner. I got used to this VERY quickly.
Niki was the concierge of choice for us and started work at 3pm each day. He was a great help and provided many laughs. As you can see from my shirts, we were in his office more than once and were made to feel at home as he looked after every need we had with a great smile and cheeky manner. We caught up with him on our last day to say goodbye and exchange email addresses to keep in touch. It's people like him that really do make your stay that much more enjoyable.
A final swim? Why not.
Time to get ready and head out for another buffet dinner, this time it's Indian.
Mental note to all you photographers out there, when you go to get some food, don't leave your camera behind with guests and staff like these. :)
Day 7 - Heading Home
The day has come where we have to say goodbye. It's been a great week and our plane leaves at 5pm Fijian time so there's still a fair bit to do before we get to the airport.
Trivia time, can you guess who's leaving today and who's staying. I'll give you a hint...
We headed in to Nadi before 12pm when all the shops shut on Saturdays. I wanted to pick up a sulu and see what else we could find.
So we're finally at the airport after another long day and heading home. It's been a great week and we're already missing this place and looking forward to coming back here again.
Thanks for watching. We hope you enjoyed the show.
Cameras used: Fujifilm X100, iPhone 4S, Canon D10 Underwater Camera & Canon 550D.