For our wedding anniversary, my husband Matt and I travelled to Fiji. Winter was the perfect time to choose a tropical island destination to escape the cold.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It’s a great location. In just four to five hours you can experience the adventure, mystery, beauty and culture that this country has to offer.
Fiji is hassle-free for the Australian traveller, needing no visa, language dictionary nor vaccinations.
Then there is the gorgeous, mid-20s, year-round weather, crystal clear blue water and reefs – and it’s affordable and diverse.
We flew with Virgin Australia via Sydney to Nadi, a city on Fiji's main island and the South Pacific country's main transportation hub.
Arriving with many other travellers, we were prepared for a long customs wait – but the atmosphere made up for it. (I’ll leave that as a surprise for when you go.)
To best enjoy the experience, adopt the locals’ “Fiji Time” principle from the moment you land. They’re not in a rush and rarely on time, but always accommodating.
After an evening swim and live music while we dined, the next day we flew a scenic route by helicopter to the couples-only resort, Matamanoa Island.
The island’s volcanic cone juts out of the azure waters of this marine sanctuary, clad with native bush and palm trees, white sand beaches and coral reefs.
Run by locals, this was our kind of holiday. Our room had happy anniversary in leaves across the bed and a fruit platter and champagne waiting for us.
Over five days, we relaxed by the pool, enjoyed nearby island views, read, took sunset walks, tried coconut husking, basket weaving, table tennis, chess, scuba diving and snorkelling through sunken shipwrecks and underwater caves, and more.
On our return to what Fijians call ‘the Big Island’ via ferry, we split our remaining five nights between two resorts.
Double Tree Resort on Somaisali Island had a little cabin with balcony overlooking the ocean. We enjoyed the pool bar and live music each evening.
On our last day at this resort, we were blessed to be invited to a tour driver’s home to dine traditionally with his family for lunch.
Then, at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on the touristy Denarau Island, we again enjoyed ocean views and pool facilities, as well as aquaerobics and woodcarving.
This restaurant had the best food out of the four destinations we had stayed, not to mention a dessert constructed by the chef at our table.
What really sets Fiji apart from other island destinations is the Fijian people.
They make this beautiful island escape what it is.
Their carefree nature, happiness and kindness is not only something to admire, but aspire to.
Within a few days you feel like you have a new lease on life and a fresh attitude. It’s the things money can’t buy that make Fiji, Fiji.
