Kulukulu Has It All: Steele
The daily juggle between a hectic work schedule can take its toll when you have four children to attend to at the end of every busy day.
But no one could guess as much about such daily challenges when it comes to Vanessa Steele.
The bubbly professional is the sales and marketing manager of the Grand Pacific Hotel.
What is the one destination in Fiji you would take visitors to, and why?
Kulukulu, Sigatoka.
It’s my home.
It is also a destination within a destination.
You’re spoilt for choice, between the surf, the dunes, the river, and the rich green vegetation.
In between all that is Masa, where farming is carried out by all members of the community.
The soil is rich - anything can grow there.
Masa in itself, is a walk through nature’s luscious forest.
There are opportunities to fish in the gulf.
You can never get bored with the places to visit and sites to see in Kulukulu. There is a certain charm, a special kind of magic to Kulukulu that you will never find elsewhere.
This is a promise.
Tell us about your favourite backyard spot, and why its special.
Nabitu Village, Tailevu, where I live.
There is a sprawling backyard for my four children to run around.
It’s my go-to on my days off, where my children - all under the age of 10 - help their father on the farm.
During their time on the farm, they learn grafting, the proper planting processes of planting a seedling, to transplanting it.
In that way, I get to be with my children, and my husband.
As you may have guessed, my husband is from Nabitu.
Aside from the Grand Pacific Hotel, where do you go for coffee and/or pie?
Raiwaqa Bakery, Nausori.
It’s close to home, and the variety is suited to my family.
What is the one local destination on your bucket list, and why?
Taveuni.
Everyone I’ve met who have been there speak of its mystical beauty.
I love that its has the International Dateline, the waterfalls, the beaches, the breathtaking scenes.
It’s virgin state of flora and fauna make for a true paradise.
There is the tagimoucia flower, endemic to the island - that’s something I want to see.
The people of Taveuni are beautiful, in character and in spirit.