Fiji
We were due into Aus on the 1st but decided to have a trip to Fiji instead.1/2/16 – 23/2/16We booked a 10 day package from chch, staying at Tambua sands on the Coral Coast. Tambua sands was beautiful and totally Fijian traditional style with a total of 25 bures each with thatched roofs, wooden shutters for Windows and cool tiled floors which were as tradional as what everyone could expect. The temperature was in the mid 30’s and I guess the humidity was rather high. We had a ceiling fan but unfortunately the roof space was too high for us to get any benefit from it, (even though we had it on 24 hours a day). Throw in hot flushes and it was getting to be a real struggle. Tambua was a very relaxed, intimate resort with nothing but a large swimming pool and a bar, miles and miles of palm trees and views of the Pacific Ocean. After night seven we decided to go to its “sister Warwick resort” the Naviti, approx 10 minutes down the road by taxi, to see what it had to offer. Within 30 minutes of arriving we got back in a taxi and booked out of Tambua, to spend the last 3 nights of our trip at the Naviti. .
We were given a room with full air-conditioning (sheer luxury), over looking the garden, with glass windows so we could shut out the humidity and the high Temps to our hearts content. The Naviti is a full on resort that could be anywhere in the world. It has 250 rooms, a very large swimming pool, beach, 4 restaurants and 4 bars with a full activity program. Totally different to Tambua sands, but equally stunning and beautiful. When it came to the end of our 3rd day we decided to continue and book another 7 nights. We took a trip on the aptly named “ooh la la” tour, where we were picked up from the hotel transported to Denarau Port, and set sail for a fully inclusive cruise to a deserted private island called Savala Island. A very tiny island (which only took 15 minutes to snorkel it’s circumference), an island with clear blue waters surrounding it, with sand as white as snow, and as fine as icing sugar, with several fully grown palm tress upon it. If anyone has an idyllic picture in their heads as to what a Fijian island looks like then this was it. We stayed around 4 hours on this plot of land with only our fellow sailors on the island, around 25 people in total. Activities included snorkelling, glass bottom boat trip, feeding baby sharks, and of course the Cava ceremony. All included along with a Fijian BBQ in the centre of the island. A fantastic day out.
Another trip we took was to visit the local town – Sigatoka, a small metropolis of Fijian culture and of course shopping. Yet again a must do when your visiting the Coral Coast. Very authentic and traditional with each shop selling it’s cultural diverse range of crafts etc.
We also got roped into playing pool volleyball which was a right laugh. A great stay made all the better by hanging out with the Aussie awesome foursome – Wendy, Lisa, Maggie & Steve, so glad we met you and thanks for all the laughs and your friendship.
When it came to our last couple of days at Naviti, we still wanted to stay longer in Fiji so booked 5 nights in Denerau Port, staying at the Terraces. We had stayed here last year on our previous trip to Fiji, so was well aware of what it has to offer. Port Denarau is the main port of Fiji for anyone who visits any of the outer islands. Again a stunning metropolis of many cafes, restaurants and bars selling an array of cocktails, which we took full advantage of.
We have got a huge split level 2 bedroom palace here at the Terrace. We walked in and was completely stunned with our appt. Pure luxury, very spacious, and very affordable. The Terrace is only a few minutes walk to the bustle of the port. We are soooo spoilt with this accommodation.

People had questioned us before we left NZ as to why we would go to Fiji in the rainy season. Being here now 18 days or so, we have only had I full day of rain and maybe a couple of short showers on a few afternoons. If you can stand the 30+ temp and high humidity, I would say it’s a perfect time to visit. Even so the little rain we have seen has been very refreshing, and has calmed the humidity down for a few hours at least. The tours are not as expensive and all the areas we have visited are less crowded.