ON THE HORIZON
Kick off your fairytale ending with a hot Fijian honeymoon
The feel of the powdery sand beneath your feet; the warmth of the glistening sunshine dancing on your shoulders. If your honeymoon daydream is set at a secluded retreat in the tropics where the heat coaxes you into the laid-back island rhythm to a soundtrack of lapping waves, head to Fiji’s Vomo Island (vomofiji.com), where you’ll discover one of the most exquisite places in the Mamanucas.
A privately owned 225-acre property, Vomo is made up of 28 villas and two residences, all with impressive sea views, private decks, super-sized daybeds and award-worthy personal service. This is luxury in its most serene form.
Getting to this five-star resort is easy – there are plenty of water taxis from Denarau available. But for a movie-star arrival, book a 15-minute flight via seaplane or helicopter (helicopters.com.fj). On arriving at the property, a first glance proves you’re far from the madding crowd. Besides, with Vomo’s sprawling design, even if it was packed, you wouldn’t come close to knowing it – anything but cookie-cutter, the essence of this sanctuary is privacy and personalisation.
Fringed by white sands, Vomo’s coves and beaches are a dime a dozen; if the wind changes and interrupts your peace, just head to the other side of the island to continue blissing out in the rays. Take the seclusion to the next level by booking a private picnic at nearby Vomo Lailai. Away from it all on a deserted island with your other half – it’s the stuff storybooks are made of. You’ll be dropped off mid-morning and tasked with doing a whole lotta nothing – besides exploring the kaleidoscope of electric colours both above and below the water’s surface.
After toasting your new chapter of Mr and Mrs with a bottle of champagne and a spread of crayfish and prawns, while away the afternoon stretched out on a daybed shaded by palms. Vomo Lailai’s eye candy also takes the form of abundant tropical foliage, including frangipani and ginger, and a spectrum of prolific bird life.
Later, back on Vomo, book a body wrap at the Thai-inspired spa before continuing
your loved-up celebrations with an alfresco meal beneath the twinkling stars.
Play is at the top of the agenda on Vomo, and watersports such as paddleboarding are ever popular. The glassy waters mean even the most athletically challenged can balance with ease while slicing across the surface. Beneath the waves, snorkel through coral gardens teeming with bright sealife and psychedelic schools of fish. Further out, divers delight in coral-filled overhangs, where you can mingle with an array of exotica in the form of butterfly fish, blue-fin trevally and turtles. A visit isn’t complete without a 30-minute hike up Mt Vomo to survey the 360-degree views of glistening ocean – who knew there were so many shades of blue?
The entire island is beautiful, but even if hiking isn’t your style, shifting your perspective adds another dimension. Perched high above Rocks Beach, you can experience Vomo from various angles. Enjoy sunset cocktails at modern-chic Rocks Bar, where the legendary sunsets don’t disappoint.
Each day on Vomo Island starts with a freshly squeezed juice, and the gourmet food is unmatched – traditional Fijian dishes that are fresh and full of flavour. Be prepared to eat your heart out when the cuisine is this special, while the surrounding contemporary décor adds an air of understated glamour. Yes, you’ll need to budget to stay here, but all of your meals are included in the rate, and when it comes to decadence, it truly doesn’t get much better than this.
There are a variety of other activities on offer, including six swimming pools and more than a dozen restaurants and bars.
The best part? This place isn’t lacking local flair, with firewalking on show, local musicians performing daily and kava ceremonies too. Each room is effortlessly elegant, and the Ocean Front Suites are no exception. Light and spacious, they’re set amid lush tropical gardens in which you can lounge on your private balcony with a view of the waves. Experience city life by catching a bus to the bustling city of Nadi – have fun trawling the shops, or dial up the adrenaline a little by touring the island with Awesome Adventures
(awesomefiji.com), an outfit that conducts tours throughout the archipelago.
Fiji is made up of more than 300 islands. Only one-third of them are inhabited, but there are hundreds of miles of coastline to explore. Much of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island, is covered with jungle-draped forests, shimmering waterfalls and dramatic volcanic peaks – it’s all very Jurassic Park, but with much politer wildlife.
From touring the charming Navala Village to navigating the windy roads through Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, Viti Levu is an outdoor paradise ripe for exploration, and is sure to keep the adventure junkie entertained: climb the country’s highest peak, Mount Tomanivi, to survey the scenery. For something more sedate, attending a Sunday church service is the best way to experience the heart and soul of the Fijian people and be filled with a sense of history and joy by way of the choir’s song. Just be sure to respect the customary dress: long sleeves and a conservative skirt.