Fiji Fling
WITH A COLORFUL MOSAIC OF MORE THAN 300 islands dotting the turquoise waters of the South Pacific, the mystical archipelago of Fiji is famed for palm-lined beaches, coral reefs, and cerulean lagoons. The many attributes of this South Seas Shangri-la open up an inevitable debate over the benefits of cruise holiday versus landbased adventure. Cruising amongst idyllic islands makes for a credible argument, but who would object to wiggling toes into powder-white sand with a lush mountain backdrop at a tropical resort? Ultimately, launching pure fantasy into reality on a multi-day cruise, piggybacked with resort reverie, settles the quandary as the perfect compromise.
Blue Lagoon Cruises serves up a main course of Fijian paradise with 3-, 4-, and 7-night cruise itineraries sailing through the country’s Mamanuca, Yasawa, and Sacred Islands. The 68-passenger
Fiji Princess positions itself as a small boutique cruise experience, large enough to provide cruise comforts and yet intimate enough for personalized attention.
The friendly “Bula” spirit, steeped in smiles, sets the tone as you step aboard and immediately set sail to the secluded Modriki Island, the filming location for the movie Cast Away. Upon the ship anchoring in the first of many protected bays, anxious snorkelers giddily dive into the schools of tropical fish feeding off of the colorful reef.
The attributes of small-ship cruising allow for easy acclimation on board, and as the blazing sunset paints the horizon, a welcome champagne happy hour leads to a crew introduction by the affable Captain Chi. The full-service Welcome Aboard dinner is served in the alfresco dining area as a trio of crewmembers creates island ambiance with soothing music. Meals throughout the cruise are unfussy casual affairs placing emphasis on ethnic flavors, locally sourced produce, and the bounty of the sea.
With the glow of sunrise flashing the wake-up alarm, the tenders are lowered, transferring snorkelers to a flourishing coral reef to witness crewmembers feeding reef sharks. Weighing anchor mid-morning, Fiji Princess zigzags its course through the sensational scenery of the Sacred Islands. Following lunch, guests don traditional sarongs for a visit to Soso village and a traditional welcome ceremony hosted by the village locals.
Sunday morning provides an opportunity to experience a village church service, with the afternoon reserved for a beach day, snorkeling,
and even a fishing excursion. Post-dinner activities during the cruise include Bollywood dancing, fashion shows, and Fiji-style bingo.
The experience of the 3-night cruise whets the appetite for adventure; we hunger for the longer 7-day itinerary. However, the regret is mitigated by hitting the cruise pause button and fast-forwarding to the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort for three days and nights of land-based repose. Located on Nacula Island and rimmed by a white-sand beach that gently slides out to a vibrant reef, there is everything you want and nothing you don’t.
Designed more like a tropical village than a resort, the property blends into a serene natural setting, encouraging an urge to pump the brakes on hectic travel, unplug, and recharge. Magic yet authentic, the property includes a swimming pool, a restaurant, and beach bar with accommodations ranging from budget rooms and garden villas up to deluxe beachfront villas.
If there is one thing the people of Fiji do exceptionally well, it’s knowing how to kick back, oftentimes facilitated by the mildly narcotic and sedative kava drink. Despite the organic beverage’s calming effects, partaking by way of a traditional ceremony is pure cultural engagement. Although the inclination may be to simply relax and chill, there is no lack of activities to fill in leisure time: fishing charters, dive trips, movie nights, crab racing, cultural shows, and excursions to the Sawa-I-Lau caves.
A return to civilization and reality is made via South Seas Cruises, high-speed ferry for a transitional overnight at The Palms, a modern apartment-style property conveniently located adjacent to the marina of Port Denarau.
An escape to the private Malamala Beach Club is a fitting encore to the Fijian fantasy. This small disc of a petite island paradise rising out of the crystal-clear sea is the perfect escape for a day of play. Passes include ferry transfers, use of kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, plus access to the resort-style infinity pool (and even Wi-Fi). An à la carte menu satisfies cravings with light bites or indulgent South Seas–inspired dishes. The club-like atmosphere exemplifies the free-spirited profile of Fiji and completes a weeklong, dreamlike South Seas holiday.
Visitors to Fiji will find it difficult to escape the hedonistic vibe surrounded by lush landscapes and stunning beaches that tease the senses with enlightening experiences that create memories for a lifetime.