We spent Christmas and New Year in Fiji. Fiji was perfect for us as it was a four hour flight and neither of us had ever visited the country. A few of our friends had been to Fiji so we got some opinions on different resorts. This would be our first ever resort holiday we were not sure how we would like it… we loved it!
Planning
Just a key note if you are planning trip to the islands in Fiji make sure you give yourself enough time to fly into the mainland and to get a ferry. The ferry’s leave once a day. We flew into Nadi on the 23rd December and had a night in Nadi before catching the ferry to Blue Lagoon Resort the next day. I would also give yourself a day on the way back too. We did give ourselves a day either side on the main land and it was a relaxing journey back to the airport. The ferry was very rough on the way to our first stop which took 4 and a half hours so I’d advise sea sick tablets and a good book. A lot of people where ill on our ferry. On the way back to the mainland it was a lot smoother ride.
There was three ferry trips in our holiday we booked them all through Awesome Adventures Fiji and had no issues. Be sure to book your free pick up as well to the port and then back to your hotel either side of the trip. The ferry is a big catamaran with seats and tables inside and seats outside on the middle and top deck. Refreshments are available in the inside of the boat. Once you reach your stop you check your bag is getting off and you board a small speed boat to get to your resort. The view going into your resort is something that can not be described. Don’t worry about carrying any suit cases the staff make sue everything gets to your accommodation safely.
Blue Lagoon – Nacula Island
Our first three days where spent on Blue Lagoon and after a bumpy four and half hours we arrived at paradise. In both resorts we stayed in there ‘Budget accommodation’ believe me its the nicest budget room I have ever stayed in. We had to share a bathroom which was no issues with plenty of showers and toilets. Our room was cleaned every day and if you do not want your bed made you simple put the coconut in your room out the front. The resort has a beach, pool, dining area, and bar.
All the islands have a compulsory eating plan. The food was amazing very tasty and lots of it. MK is one of the biggest eaters I know and he was full… so no one should go hungry. The meals where at set times and there was always a choice at every meal. Every day there would be a list of actives happening. The Dive shop would be where you could find out the cost and sign up for the activities. You have to go with the flow when it comes to the activities as it depends on the weather and numbers…we found asking at the dive shop was the best way to find out if the activity would be running.
In our three day stay we did the snorkel trip, cave trip and champagne tubing. On the snorkel trip we went out on the boat to a reef. Once everyone was in the water a member of staff jumped in and guided us around the reef. It was a beautiful spot full of colourful reef and fish. We also had a run in with a sea snake ( try avoid them). On Christmas day we decided it would be fun to do the Champagne Tubing. Again we went out on the boat into the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. You get into the sea with your rubber ring and a glass of Champers is passed to you. If you need a refill the boat is not far behind you an they pull you back in and top up your glass. It is something to try it is funny and amazing at the same time. The Cave trip is a 20 min boat ride which in itself is worth the trip it goes past many beautiful islands. You go early in the morning to beat the day trips to the cave which is worth it. You jump into the black waters of the cave before the guide takes you under a small gap which opens into a huge cave in pitch black. The guide will take you through a few caves. There are plastic tubes in the cave for you to hold on to if your not a strong swimmer. As we left all these day trip boats pulled in so well worth going with Blue Lagoon to avoid the crowds. We had bought duty free at the airport in Fiji and had a drink on a evening on our deck outside our room. The resort is fine with you drinking your duty free and will happily supply ice and glasses.. The resort also let you bring your own bottle of wine to dinner for a $10 corkage fee. On a evening after dinner there would be a movie/ crab racing or music. It is all about relaxing and that you will do on this island.
Christmas day was brilliant. Being so far away from home we didn’t feel to festive but we went to the beach in the morning with our Santa hats on and face-timed our families. At lunchtime we went for lunch and were greeted with a glass of fizz, Christmas songs and festive looking tables. There was a massive Christmas lunch with everything you could think of and even Santa popped in to say hi to the children. It really got us into the Christmas spirit. After a very relaxing three days we got back on the ferry to head to Octopus Resort and we were not show how this could top Blue Lagoon.
Octopus Resort -Waya Island
A short two hour ferry ride to the next resort. We were greeted on the beach by the staff singing and guitar playing. After a welcome drink and ice cold face towel…which was a amazing welcome to the resort we headed to our budget bungalow. Our room was amazing it looked like something you would find in the middle of the rain-forest. The bathrooms were not as new as Blue Lagoon but were clean which is all you really need in a shared bathroom. We did get to see a villa which was beautiful. It had its own little section of the beach with a hammock and deck out the front of the villa. The bedroom was very similar to our bungalow but it was the bathroom which made the villa. The shower was outside with a beautiful stone mosaic out lining the shower. Octopus Resort has a pool with a bigger deck area around it a bar / dinning area and bar by the beach called the Coco Nut bar. They also have a dive shop were once again you sign up for the activities of the day.
MK and his friend did a lot of diving in Octopus and had a great time on them. They saw reef sharks, beautiful reef and fish. On the way back from one of the dives they even had a pod of dolphins swim next to the boat. The night snorkel was cancelled but I did get a great review from a 10 year old boy who loved every minute of it and saw lots of fish. We did the cooking class which consisted of you watching the chef cook and you eating the finished result. The recipe is easy and can be done at home and the food was tasty. MK did the mountain hike…which is a hike. He is a keen walker and has no issues with heights. He did say you have to be fit its not a stroll and there is some scrambling at the top. He also mentioned he actually had a little jelly leg at the top as it was so high. His photos looked amazing and you also walk through one of the villages on the island. We both checked out the spa and the view from the spa alone is worth the money. The spa was lovely and would recommend a massage or facial. If you don’t want to do anything then chill on the beach but you must rent a snorkel and explore the reef on your door step its full of fish.
The food again was great with lots of choice and evening entertainment was really good. There was again crab racing, traditional dancing, Kava night and party night. They are fine with duty free been drank on the resort we would have a glass before dinner on our deck. New Years eve was party night at the resort. There was a live band who were brilliant and at midnight fireworks were going off in the sea and on the beach. The staff got involved with the party and it was a great night we really enjoyed ourselves.
Both resorts are part of the same company and I honestly don’t have anything negative to say. The staff really make these resorts the most relaxing magical places you will ever visit. It was so sad leaving but we did have 24 hours on the mainland. We checked out the Mud Baths in Nadi which was a funny experience. It is hard to get there if your not on a tour so for $80 FJD we hired a driver for half a day to take us to the mud baths and wait then drop us at the airport. We hired a driver through the tourist desk at our hostel. After we covered ourselves in mud we had to stand in a field in the sun and dry. Once dry we went into the muddy lake and washed all the mud off before having a dip in the natural hot spring. Our skin was so soft after this experience. Then it was back to the airport and back to Sydney.
We both said we would go back to Fiji in a heart beat for another holiday. If you truly want to turn off and relax Fiji is the place to do this.
Yorkshire Rambler 
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