 |
|
 |
click here for more pictures...
|
|
|
Just copy and paste reviews in your email message to send to clients
November 2, 2001
Bula from absolutely
gorgeous Vatulele....
We flew to Nadi with Wakaya Air and to Vatulele on Pacific Island Seaplanes
with a couple our office had booked, Mike and Suein, Henry Crawford and a couple
others. As we approached Vatulele I was almost knocked out at the color of the
water through my polarized sunglasses (you must have polarized sunglasses when
you come to Fiji or other South Pacific destination). The amount of blues, greens
and every shade in-between were dazzling as we approached the island. The seaplane
landed perfectly on the waters of the lagoon and we taxied up to the sandy beach.
Not only is Vatulele beautiful, the minute I laid eyes on the staff standing
on the beach singing to us as we arrived I was reminded ONCE AGAIN why Vatulele
is my favorite Fiji Island experience. There must have been 20 people singing,
clapping, playing guitar... Fresh fruit juice, a cold towel and then champagne
awaited us at the simple registration set up on the verandah of the common Bure.
Susan and I were whooshed off to our Bure, Bure #1. I have never stayed in Bure
#1 (this is my 4th visit), and I love it. Of course, I say this every time I
come here. The amount of flowers they use to decorate the bures here is amazing
to me. Hibiscus and plumeria (they call them frangipani) are arranged in different
ways in every area of the Bure.
It took minutes to get our bathing suits on and plunge into the perfect ocean
here. After a good swim, we ate a delicious lunch (scallops with curry lentils
AND fetuccini with parmesan). A nice chardonay was served and then a delicious
ice cream dessert. The band boys were playing their delightful music as we ate
our lunch. A lady from London was having the time of her life dancing to the
Fijian music. There is alot of laughter at Vatulele. It makes your soul smile!
After lunch, I enjoyed discovering the upgrades that they have put into place
at Vatulele. There are some nice new chairs in the bures, new loungers on the
beach and various other touches that continue to give value added at an already
delightful resort. After our two massages (in case you haven't figured it out,
it is our signature activity), we went shell collecting on the longest beach
in Fiji (it feels like it anyway), swimming and prepared for dinner. It was
a BBQ night and we were to wear our sulus. We sifted through our luggage to
find our nicest, applied the bugs spray (there are mosquitoes in the jungle)
and off we went to the Beach BBQ. A long white table cloth on a clad table was
set up on the beach. The band boys were playing and cocktails served. Then I
could smell the Lobster (and other goodies) on the BBQ and mouths started to
water! The full moon rose over the jungle and they lit a bonfire that send sparks
into the sky like fireworks. It was gorgeous.
The best was waking up at pre-dawn (if you like pre-dawn) to the chatter of
at least 10 types of birds, all exclaiming to world that they are awake and
it is the start of a new and wonderful day at Vatulele. I woke up and then went
back to sleep. The bed is just too comfortable to do anything else in my book.
Susan headed down to the beach to watch the moon melt into the ocean as the
morning kissed the sky pink. I do wish that Susan had got me up to see such
a site. However, with a 60 hour work week looming in the not too distant future
(next week), I am savoring the very rare ability to sleep in.
We did a little shell collecting and I took a swim and a great kayak paddle
down to the grotto where you can paddle in-between parts of the island that
have broken off. The blue footed boobie bird (otherwise known as a gannet) makes
its nest in trees along this area so birds are nesting everywhere. It was a
beautiful paddle and good exercise before our next adventure... Breakfast in
the Foley (or gazebo) that overlooks the full expanse of the beach. They had
taken our order the night before and all was set out for us and delivered at
9am. Omelet with fresh herbs, whole grain toast, heaps of fresh fruit, yogurt,
juice, coffee, and more-more-more.
Susan did some christmas shopping in the shop here - buying lots of Vatulele
logo items. Lunch is right around the corner and I am looking forward to meeting
new people. Our clients, Mike and Suein, are about to leave for their private
picnic champagne lunch on Nooki Nooki island. They should have a great time.
Susan is going on the village tour at 3pm. I am going to stick around and get
some sun, swim and read. We might try to squeeze in either another kayak trip
to the Grotto or a hobie cat adventure - since neither of us have ever "driven"
one before. We are overwhelmed with the array of decisions required at Vatulele.
Or, we can just decided not to make any more.
In any event, as I sit here in the air conditioned office, I can hear the song
of the beautiful Honeyeater birds calling back outside.
We are on our count down. 2 more nights and then our over night flight to Honolulu.
I have already figured out all the reasons I need to get back to Vatulele soon.
Until next time,
Melissa
November 4, 2001 -
our last morning at Vatulele
Isa Lei - the thought of leaving is very sad. On our farewell day, we
reflect on our last 36 hours here at Vatulele...
As we come to the close of our 2 week Fabulous Birthday Adventure, we are becoming
extra mellow. What a treat to do this for 2 weeks. I am usually running around,
like most travel agents do.... 1 night here, 2 nights there..... Although we
have been moving around a little, this has been so much more relaxing.
How did we finish Day 2 at Vatulele?
We headed off to Long Beach for our private champagne sunset. The boatman dropped
us off about 4pm and we popped the Mumms and sat at the waters edge as the waves
lapped at our toes. The weather had changed a little and it was a bit cloudy
for the first time in 11 days. We took a stroll along the "long beach"
looking for shells and keeping those muscles in our legs exercised (a feeble
attempt to keep from gaining weight). Shortly before the boatman came to pick
us up at 6:15 or so, the sky began to take on every hue of pink. It was most
definitely going to be the best sunset we had seen while we had been in Fiji.
(FYI - the most beautiful sunsets I have seen in Fiji are in their Summer ..
(our winter). The hot humid air and a good selection of cloud cover - make for
excellent sunsets.) After we got back to the resort, the sky burst into flaming
magenta and hot pinks. WOW! I hadn't seen a sunset like that in years!
After our incredible sunset, we lounged around our bure and prepared for the
evening social life. We stood out in the crowd! 2 gals, sporting our finest
Hawaiian tropical wear (which is all I own), moving through the crowd. I really
enjoyed having some of our own clients at the resort to talk to so I can bring
back their stories to the office.
There is alot of good conversation among the guests at Vatulele. The communal
dining (anyone can have private dining options for all meals) is one of the
richest parts of the Vatulele experience. When we arrived at the cocktail party
(every night for 30 minutes+ before dinner) there was the Vatulele Serenaders,
light snacks and every cocktail (including blended) you can imagine. The atmosphere
is light and fun with rich conversation about the events of the day or plans
for tomorrow. And, lots of exchanging of addresses, as new friends prepare to
say goodbye and want to stay in touch. Flash! Another snapshot! Clap Clap Clap
- another bowl of Kava is being consumed by the band boys and an adventurous
guest. You look around at who is missing. Let's see, so and so are in the wine
cellar for dinner! Another couple is dining on the beach. And yet another is
dining in the privacy of their own bure. It really is a sweet arrangement, here
at Vatulele.
Dinner was set up outside with the long table. I love the long table. The resort
is full, so we are talking about 40 people. It is a delightful night and the
meal was delicious. Wines are served. We are happy. And then it is time to sleep
in Vatulele's very very comfortable king size beds.
Our last full day at Vatulele was spent at leisure. Susan gave facials to Henry
Crawford and Mark (resort GM) as I worked on my suntan. Lunch was then served
and we proceeded to really get to know our fellow guests. The New Zealand Chardonnay
they were serving for lunch was really yummy. The Mongolian BBQ for lunch was
a huge hit. I just don't know how a day could get any better. We had some really
funny people at our lunch table and the afternoon started to slip away into
evening.
As the evening approached, we began with wine and cheese being delivered to
our own private table on the beach in front of our bure. There we were, the
two birthday girls (we got lots of mileage out of turning 47!), feeling like
the world belonged to us. What did we talk about? Our guys back home!!! It had
been almost 2 weeks since we had seen them so I guess it would be natural that
everyday we spoke of them more often! However, we did manage to enjoy every
second of a beautiful sunset, girl talk and plans on coming back to Vatulele.
Dinner was once again outside, under the stars, with the long table. Dinner
consisted of a delightful scampi appetizer and then a moist fish dish with nice
trimmings. The talk and wine flowed. Finally, at midnight, it was time to hit
the hay.
Today, Nov 4, we did the last of our shopping. Vatulele was sure glad to have
us stay there. We not only bought 1/2 of the store but had been wearing Vatulele
fashions our whole stay. Susan and I bought about 5 of the same outfits and
promised, crossed our hearts, that we would never been seen together wearing
the same outfit. The last act of our stay at Vatulele was taking out the Hobie
Cat. And yes, it worked! I managed to sail us one way and then the other. We
didn't have to be rescued. It was a little disturbing to not be able to move
sometimes. "Hey Sue, the boat's not moving!"...... The wind didn't
always cooperate with our novice attempt at sailing. We did land the Hobie Cat
exactly where we started from. We toasted our last remaining moments with champagne
as the 6 of us waited for the dreaded moment... THE PLANE......
Isa Lei was sung to us as we boarded the seaplane at the beaches edge. Tears
flowed, a quietness overtook us as the plane dashed through the water for takeoff.
And then.... we were in flight!
We shall return.....
Melissa
SUBNOTE: A couple days after I returned home I found myself caught in a Vatulele
Moment, a flashback. I could see, in my minds eye, the azure blue lagoon of
Vatulele, the beach, Susan and I laughing as we cruised with the Hobie Cat.
It was extraordinary. I had never had a feeling like that before.
Vatulele Island Resort.... Truly paradise....
Read
about Vatulele's "THE POINT" .. Fiji's most desirable new address
for a vacation!!
Click
here for Wakaya Review
Click here for Namale Review
Click here for Moody's Review
[ CLOSE
WINDOW ]