Due to the hotelier's new(ish) work circumstances, I've been lucky enough to travel to Fiji twice in the last 12 months! (I know, tough life, right.) Yep, there are a few perks to having a husband who travels, a lot... and piggybacking on some of his work trips is one of them. Before this though, it had been a decade since I'd graced the palm fringed islands of the South Pacific. Admittedly, I wasn't a huge fan of Fiji. Sure, it has some great resorts and it's a stunning spot to get away from it all... especially from Australia - it's just a four hour flight. But to be honest, I was more enthralled with Asia's pockets of paradise - Langkawi, Phuket, the Philippines...etc. So when some of our expat friends who live on the other side of the globe (namely America) said, 'everyone here thinks Fiji is the be place to be' I had to think twice. Then a German friend said the same thing, asking me if 'it was worth the trip?' Prior to this last visit, I would've said no, in fact I did! "Don't come all the way from China, when you're surrounded by tropical holiday destinations...." But having been able to see more of Fiji of late... I've become a fan. A big fan! Fiji is a little slice of pristine paradise. Sure, it's no shopping mecca, which might disappoint some (although somehow, I still managed to charge a couple of 'resort' outfits to the room, while I was poolside...shhh...) And this time, we got to venture out to the islands, away from the mainland. Who knew Fiji was actually an archipelago of more than 330 islands? I got to see just how idyllic Fiji really is and what makes it so unique. White sandy beaches that stretch on forever and the clearest aqua-coloured water I've seen in a long time are just a couple of reasons. (Yep, no filter required on that photo!) Fiji is an extra special sanctuary that I hadn't fully had the pleasure of experiencing, having previously only stayed on Denarau Island, which is attached to mainland. Still, being there is not to be sneezed at, if you just want to chill out and enjoy resort life. Staying at the Sheraton is brilliant because it and the Westin are side by side, so you basically have two resorts to enjoy for the price of one, which means two lots of swimming havens and double the number of restaurants. Sheraton is beachfront but a little fatigued, while Westin doesn't have a sandy beach front, it makes up for it with some beautiful pools overlooking the ocean and mighty impressive facilities. Having dabbled in the outer islands, I would strongly recommend a day trip or overnight trip out to these. If you're a diving enthusiast, apparently Fiji is the bomb when it comes to soft coral. It's also a place that's littered with lush jungles and secluded waterfalls. Not only is Fiji a great escape for adults, it's also an exceptional playground for the kids...(take note, mums & dads) with more water activities than you know what to do with, from snorkelling, to jet skiing, paragliding, kayaking, surfing you name it, it's there. (And most resorts have great kids clubs!) Accomodation is also varied to suit everyone's taste, from the budget backpacker's bungalow to your five star fantasy resort. We even went to the island where they made the movie 'Castaway' with Tom Hanks. 'Tom, if only you knew the Sheraton Tokoriki Island was just across the bay!' The climate is warm and tropical with the best times to visit between April and October, mind you I was there in January and while it was pretty hot, when you're immersed in water 90 per cent of the time, 'hakuna matata!' But what really makes Fiji special is the locals. Super friendly and generally always smiling, these people are a delight to be around. In fact, a 2014 poll put them as the happiest people on earth! They also have a unique blend of cultures and age old traditions, well worth experiencing. Just make sure you get on 'Fiji time' as soon as possible and everything will be sweet! Oh, and make sure to use plenty of 'Vinaka's!" (Thank you)..... This post isn't sponsored by any organisation, but This site has some great tips for your next trip. Ps...It pays to remember there's also a lot of poverty in Fiji...in fact I published a post on this a few years ago, when my dad got to see the other side of Fiji. Have a look here. It's a poignant reminder to keep in mind the flip side of the coin, wherever you are. Disclaimer: And yes, my husband does work for Marriott, but all opinions are my own. … [Read more...]
The Paris of the Pacific: Is New Caledonia Worth Visiting?
If you’re expecting cobbled-stoned lane ways, an abundance of outdoor cafes where you perch on chairs squeezed together around a minuscule table, just big enough to fit your mini espresso and pain au chocolat, whilst you gaze longingly at an exquisite monument that whispers a thousand tales -- then no, New Caledonia is nothing like Paris. But it is French! Oui Oui! While it was actually discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, in 1853, under the orders of Napoleon the 3rd, the French took control and Noumea was founded as Port-de-France. Trivial fact #1: It became a penal colony until around the late 1800’s with about 22,000 criminals and political prisoners sent here. Trivial Fact #2: In 1849, the crew of the American ship Cutter was killed and eaten by the Pouma clan. Cannibilism was apparently widespread! I digress….. An archipelago, Nouvelle Caledonie is a cluster of islands in the Pacific Ocean and just a very short 2.5 hour flight from Australia (3 hours from New Zealand). So if you’re in this part of the world, it definitely can’t be overlooked as a super easy getaway destination. If you’re not, it’s still a gorgeous part of the globe to visit. Today, its community is largely made up of Melanesians and Europeans. French is spoken everywhere, even in the most secluded villages. (Great if you want to improve that school yard French). If only I could stop saying 'Xie Xie'. Small Person and I were piggybacking on the hotelier’s work trip (as you do), so he met us in Noumea and drove us north to our first stop: The Sheraton Deva located in Bourail! He’d just come back from il de Pins, or Isle of Pines, which is a 20 minute flight from Noumea and a popular tourist’s choice which he tells me lives up to the idyllic hype. New Caledonia is 18,000 sq kilometres, so it’s pretty sizeable and we had a three hour drive north to our destination. Most of it was through the countryside, passing through the occasional small French town. Just between you and me, the hotelier (who drives like he’s still in China) in a hire car, on the wrong side of the car, and wrong side of the road was a little precarious! We may have mounted a curb and arrived with a flat tyre! Nonetheless, we arrived, in tact. ;-) Surprisingly dry, arid and mountainous, the Sheraton Deva backs onto these spectacular ruddy peaks and is flanked by a sparkling, turquoise ocean..... And breathe. It’s also in the middle of nowhere, so is the perfect place to unwind and just let yourself be. But don't despair if you can't lie around the pool for longer than three cocktails. The resort has tonnes of activities plus a world class ‘magnifique’ golf course (if that’s your thing). I was more at home grabbing one of the bikes they keep outside your bungalow and cycling around the resort, mostly in the direction of the spa! There’s also a fully equipped kid’s club…(bonus) snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, a glass bottom boat tour… and to my child’s delight (until she found out you need to be at least ten), horse riding! After four nights, it was time to head back to Noumea for destination number 2. If you’re craving more action, this is the place to be. A city about the size of Cairns in Australia, it’s not too dissimilar in appearance. To me, it didn’t feel as French as I’d hoped, but then I was benchmarking it against Paris. The hotelier tells me it reminds him of holidays as a kid in southern France. Home to a stunning harbour, Noumea serves as the chief port for New Caledonia, so there are boats of every shape and size bobbing about, not to mention a couple of ocean cruise liners docked! Le Meridien is right on the beach and while it’s technically in the city, it’s definitely got that resort feel and has a more tropical ambience compared to it’s northern sister. It is the middle of winter, but temps were still pretty warm. The pool was slightly on the icy side, but that didn’t stop small person from jumping right in, again, and again! There are plenty of restaurants outside the hotel. And of course the food on the island is pretty delicious, especially my favourite indulgence, Le Fromage! After consuming my body weight in French cheese and French wine, and then this....chocolate fondant, it was definitely time to hit the gym. Noumea also has a casino if you want to lay your chips down, plenty of museums and a few markets. While this island of norfolk pines and palms is by no means a cheap holiday destination (like, for instance, Bali, where you can eat outside the hotels for a mere pittance) it definitely makes up for it in appeal and sophistication. So, if time isn't on your side and you just want to escape the daily grind for some R & R with or without the kids, this tropical oasis is totally worth a trip with a difference. This is New Caledonia. … [Read more...]