by Krista | Mar 15, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
It’s hard to write about beautiful places in the face of such devastation and loss this year in Australia, New Zealand, Libya, and now Japan. So much pain and suffering, such overwhelming destruction.
I’ve been thinking about how lucky I am to be able to take a shower and brew water for my morning coffee. To have the infrastructure in place to be able to contact the people I love and know that they are OK. To have a job, a town not flattened by an earthquake, a grocery store filled with fruit, veggies, and meat.
I’ve felt sad and helpless watching the footage coming out of so many countries around our world. I wish I could be there to protect, heal, and love. I can’t do those things but I can do something, even if it’s small.
Yesterday I used my cell phone to donate to the Red Cross. It wasn’t much, but it was something, and maybe if we all give a little something it will build to a great big something that will ease the suffering of someone. Even if our donation helps one person get a water purification system or a blanket or the use of a cell phone to find a family member, it is worth it.
I wouldn’t presume to tell anyone what to do with their money. I know we all have needs and people we already know and love who need our help, but if you do have a little extra somewhere that you want to share, please consider sending it to the Red Cross or another reputable organization.
Simple text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation that will be added to your monthly cell phone bill. You can make it larger if you wish.
Wherever you are today, I hope that you are safe. I hope you know that you are loved, that you matter, that someone’s world is more beautiful because of you.
xo
by Krista | Mar 8, 2011 | Gulliver Tuesday
There are few things more relaxing to me than several hours spent lounging in a hammock, eyes closed, gently swaying in passing breezes.
It’s even more wonderful when that hammock is slung between two palm trees on a white sand beach in Fiji, mere yards away from the South Pacific.
I found such an idyllic spot on my recent trip to Fiji as I was strolling the fairytale beaches of Denarau Island. Astonished that it was vacant I strode over, kicked off my shoes, and sank back into hammock heaven.
The ropes were soft with just enough give to cradle you like a newborn baby. Above me the palm fronds rustled and the gentle lap of the waves lulled me into delicious stupor.
How long I lay there I don’t know, but suddenly I heard a soft voice saying, “Bula, Madame.” I opened my eyes to find a smiling man wondering if I would like a drink from the hotel bar nearby. I only had to think for a moment before grinning and requesting a glass of fresh mango juice. Perhaps it’s because my first trip to Fiji coincided with Mango Week in all the restaurants, but nothing quite says vacation to me like a frosty glass of cold, freshly pressed mango juice.
When he brought it to me moments later in a turquoise goblet, my bliss was complete.
I’ve returned to that hammock many times, usually with book, towel, and swimsuit in tow, delighting in peaceful afternoons of reading, swimming, snoozing, and just gazing out to sea.
Here are a few lessons I’ve learned in how to really enjoy a hammock in Fiji:
- Go to the bathroom BEFORE finding your hammock. Don’t let the call of nature force you to give up your place to other marauding vacationers.
- Stake your claim first thing in the morning. Hammocks are treasured spots along the beach. Getting up and about while others sleep in is the most reliable way to secure one.
- Go at noon or dinner. If you just can’t pass up a morning sleeping in to the sound of waves crashing, go scouting for a hammock when folks are otherwise occupied with eating.
- Bring a well-stocked beach bag: water, snacks, great book, journal and pen, towel, sunglasses, sun hat, camera, room key, sunscreen, and watch.
- Spread your towel on your hammock to keep your hind quarters from looking like they’ve been branded by said hammock.
- Tuck your beach bag under a corner of your towel so you can nap without worrying about your belongings.
- Then lay back, close your eyes, and let the sea breezes rock you to sleep.
What is your ideal scenario for relaxing?
by Krista | Feb 18, 2011 | Fabulous Friday
It’s a glorious thing to get off a red eye flight and crawl into a wondrously comfy bed only to wake up a few hours later to the tropical beauties of Fiji.
That’s just what happened to me on a beautiful layover in Nadi, Fiji on my way back to the US from Australia in January. Stretching luxuriously I made myself get up, slipped into one of my favorite sundresses, grabbed sunglasses and camera and headed out for a stroll along the beaches of Denarau Island.
Denarau Island is renowned for it’s opulent resorts, golf courses, fine restaurants, and shopping, but my favorite place is the beach. The lovely thing about staying at any of the resorts on the island is that you get access to all of them: their beaches, restaurants, even their swimming pools. It’s perfect for a nice long walk from one beach to the next.
I made my way past hammocks swinging in the sea breezes, kids shrieking happily in the surf, and businessmen snoozing in their lounge chairs. I walked and walked, the waves lapping at my ankles, sun beating down wondrously, until the resorts ended and a bit of wilderness began.
I was delighted by the flowering vines encroaching onto the sand, hundreds of vibrant pink flowers stretching up to the sun.
I spent a blissful time imagining how lovely it would be to own a stretch of beach like this. To build a simple cottage with huge windows open to the wind and a wide wrap around porch from which to watch sunsets and storms alike. It was a splendid dream.
After a bit I wandered back to civilization, stopping to watch a boy fishing from shore. When he caught me observing him I smiled and he ran up to me and asked excitedly, “Did you see them?” I shook my head so he dashed a ways down the beach, pulled off a bit of dough from a bag and threw it into the water. Within seconds fish were wriggling just below the surface, nibbling their treat. We both grinned and he went back to his fishing, pleased as punch to have an audience.
It was a beautiful morning in Fiji.
What is your favorite thing to do at the beach?
by Krista | Feb 10, 2011 | Plucky Thursday
Normally I hate a long layover. It doesn’t matter what airport it’s in, there are few things more tedious than wiling away hours on uncomfortable seats, eating terrible food, and wishing more than anything to be tucked into a nice warm bed or taking a hot shower.
For my recent trip to Australia, I didn’t discover until after I had purchased my steal-of-a-deal ticket that I had two long layovers at the Nadi, Fiji airport: one for 15.5 hours, the other for 17.5 hours.
Now I love many things about Fiji – the people, the climate, the beauty – but the airport is definitely not one of them. There is one waiting area surrounded by the ubiquitous duty free and souvenir shops that at best can occupy about an hour of your time. The few places to eat may or may not be open and if you request anything hot, be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes while it is cooked elsewhere and brought bound tightly in plastic wrap by frazzled but smiling women.
It is not the place to spend 17.5 hours.
Thankfully that is not the only option.
When you exit any international flight in Nadi you are greeted by a jolly group of Fijian men in flamboyant shirts singing their hearts out in joyous welcome. At this point you can take a left to transit to your next flight or hang a right and get in line for Customs. Take the right. As the musicians serenade you, make sure you have your passport and Customs card handy. Once your passport is stamped simply pick up your luggage, get some Fiji dollars from the handy bank machine near the luggage carousel, head through Customs and grab a taxi. You’re all set for a mini-Fiji adventure.
Fiji has numerous 3 and 4 star resorts a short taxi ride from the airport. Many of them have day rooms available for a reduced rate. This will allow you full use of a room and the resort facilities (including beaches, swimming pools, and restaurants) during your stay. Since most international flights to Nadi are red-eyes arriving around 5 a.m., the use of a day room is pure bliss, giving you a chance to sleep, shower, eat real food, and explore the beaches and countryside of Fiji before continuing your journey. Make sure you call ahead to specifically reserve a day room since availability is limited.
I stayed at two resorts on my layovers.
The first was Sonaisali Island Resort, about a 30 minute drive from the airport. I stayed in an Oceanview Bure for $252.00 Fiji dollars, which works out to about $138.60 US. The taxi ride from the airport was about $35 Fiji dollars ($20 US) each way. The short boat ride to the island was free and made a crossing every 15 minutes.
View from the front porch of my room at the Sonaisali Island Resort
(it was pouring rain at the time, but you really could see the ocean when it stopped).
The second was The Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa, about a 25 minute drive from the airport. I stayed in a Tropical Garden View Room for $200 Fiji dollars, equaling about $110 US. The taxi ride to and from the airport was also $35 Fiji dollars (about $20 US) each way.
The view from my room at The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa.
Both resorts were beautiful and graciously let me into my room around 7 a.m. (normal check-in time is 10 a.m.) and let me stay until 6 p.m.
Eating out at Fiji resorts is really expensive. I made sure to eat on the airplane beforehand and get a cheap bite at the airport after, only splurging on one good meal.
I settled on breakfast at the Sonaisali Island Resort. For $38 Fiji dollars ($21 US) I had unlimited trips to a buffet breakfast that included fresh fruits, cereals, made-to-order omelets, and a large hot food section with items such as baked tomatoes, baked beans, potato cakes, and ham, plus chutneys, sauces, and lots of juice and coffee. The dining room faces the ocean with beautiful views of the pool, palm trees and rolling waves.
At The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa I opted for lunch, ordering room service for the first time in my life. 🙂 I had succulent ahi tuna with Fijian green beans, rice with crispy shallots, and a smidge of lettuce for around $80 Fiji dollars ($44 US). My dining room was my patio where I could eat in happy solitude with views of the ocean and tropical plants.
The grand total for two full days in Fiji was about $400. That may seem like a lot, but it was worth every penny, worth every restaurant dinner, movie ticket, and shopping trip I gave up in order to save enough. It was much better than two days in an airport, spending nearly $200 on crummy food, feeling exhausted and dirty with nothing to do but wander the same halls for over 30 hours.
Instead I had two glorious days in one of the most beautiful places in the world. In addition to comfy beds, hot showers, delicious food, and first class treatment, I also got to stroll gorgeous beaches, walk through the exquisitely beautiful Fijian countryside, swim in the South Pacific, snooze in a hammock, and meet some of the loveliest people imaginable.
What would be your ideal way to spend a one day layover?
by Krista | Feb 7, 2011 | Bootstrap Monday
Good morning, luvs! 🙂
It was a Random Torrential Downpour sort of day in Fiji and I decided that rain or no rain, I was going for a walk. And not just any sort of walk. I wanted to walk in the country, away from the beautiful but polished environs of the resort to see how real people live in Fiji.
So I donned my walking shoes and comfy sundress and asked the boatman to ferry me across the straight so I could stroll along country roads.
I hadn’t gone far before the skies opened and dumped a mighty torrent. It fell heavy and warm and felt absolutely wonderful after a day spent in airports and airplanes. I strolled past boat landings and fields, tidy little farms and seemingly abandoned ones.
I love how Fijian homes are painted in gloriously bright colors, surrounded by flowering trees and bushes, their wide welcoming porches beckoning passersby in for a chat.
The countryside is breathtaking. Lush and green dotted with palm trees and checkered by sugar cane fields and family gardens.
In spite of the pouring rain I was not alone on my walk. Others strode cheerily along in their flip-flops, greeting me with beaming smiles and a hearty “Bula!” as we passed.
By the time I got back I was well and truly drenched, much to the amusement of the taxi drivers I had to squelch past on my way to the boat. But it was worth it!
What is your favorite weather to go for walks in?
