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?
Really well written post with some very nice pictures too 🙂 Its so nice to walk and walk on a deserted beach, I could really feel the place thanks to your writing…
That is for sure the most fun layover that I’ve ever seen! What gorgeous scenery. It’s like paradise!
Wow! what gorgeous images; views to die for.
We have some lovely “virgin” beaches here in Spain (not quite as beautiful as Fiji), and I love to just go walking at the waters edge, listening to the waves, and walking as far as my little legs will take me 🙂
All the photos are stunning but the first one is incredible, it looks 3D!
What a wonderful and relaxing way to spend a layover. Have a great weekend. Blessings…Mary
Beautifully written! Oh how I would love to revisit Fiji. Gorgeous pics (especially of you). 🙂
What a fantastic description of your walk – was cracking up over those snoozing businessmen, guess they need their time in the sun too, lol! Lovely post as always 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
Thank you, Siddhartha! I’m so glad you could “feel” Fiji a bit. 🙂
Thank you, Joanne! It was certainly the best layover I’ve ever had too! 🙂
Oh, your beaches in Spain sound amazing, Vanessa! It’s my dream to visit Spain one day. 🙂
Thank you, Linda! Those flowers were SO gorgeous!!
It was a really wonderful layover, Mary. 🙂 And I can’t wait for this weekend to start! 🙂
Aww, thanks so much, Andi. 🙂 You know how to cheer a girl up! 🙂
They made me laugh too, Tuula! They looked so out of place but we’re clearly having a marvelous time. 🙂
These photos are incredible; I was mesmerized by the colorful vines growing right on the sand dunes; my! what a paradise! and you came back to civilization? why, but why?
Gosh the pictures are stunning…Thanks for giving us a glimpse! I only hope I can visit one day too!
Hong Kong is cold and rainy right now. All I want to do is hop on a plane and enjoy all that sunshine in Fiji!
Beautiful pics Krista. Could do with a layover in Fiji 🙂 I think my favourite thing to do on the beach is long walks….., always a great location to have a good think about stuff 🙂
Just gorgeous! And very clever of you to break up your trip with a stop in Fiji. We were in Denarau when we stayed there and it’s very pretty!
Now THAT’S what I call a stopover! Great work, great blog… from a new fan. Mwah, mwah!
Wow, that flower growing wild on the beach. What a beauty, both you and the flower 🙂
fave beach things: swim, read, sleep
Paradize! I love to enjoy the scenery….
What a gorgeous hair color!
Cheers,
Rosa
Such lovely beaches….no wonder you dreamed of a house with the windows open to the breezes and sounds of the ocean.
It’s always a bummer to come home from places as lovely as this!
You do travel a lot! Don’t you? Fiji is paradise. Love the pictures.
You’re looking lovely as always 🙂
I have a weakness for pretty beaches. Lying in the sand, daydreaming and contemplating soon finds me reaching for pen and paper. I get my inspiration from the beach!
I think jealous covers it nicely.