Bula from Fiji!!! We are now officially one day ahead from everyone back home and halfway around the world! We left Hawaii late Thursday night and arrived in Fiji on Saturday morning. Crossing the International Date Line cost us a Friday but what we gained was a little piece of paradise and luxury.
infinity pool and infinite happiness
We had booked our flight on Fiji Airlines allowing us a 4 day stopover enroute to Auckland, New Zealand. Kari was able to arrange an incredible hospitality rate – (thank you Four Points) at the Westin Denarau Island Resort. It is one of three sister properties situated together along the beach. I don’t think this five star property has ever seen backpackers before! But that’s ok because these backpackers haven’t ever seen a five star either!!! It didn’t take us long to find our resort groove.
Upon checking in we received 4 bottles of Fiji water – Kai was so excited because he always wanted to buy it at home – but it was always too expensive. Now we can drink Fiji water right from the tap!!!
straight from the tap – Fiji water for free!!
The Westin was recently refurbished to a very authentic Fijian style with straw roofs on the Bures and traditional art and decor. The property also puts on very authentic cultural shows and demonstrations which are great homeschooling for the kids. Kai and Vea were a little horrified after hearing a graphic history storytelling from a village chief about Fijian Cannibalism! After the history lesson, we were all offered Kava to drink. Kai and Vea impressed us by trying a small amount themselves and followed the tradition perfectly by clapping their hands in the proper manner and saying ‘Bula’ before, then ‘Naka’ after.
The ‘chief’ telling stories and offering Kava
We had originally planned to visit one of the other islands (Fiji has over 200 islands) on a day trip but realized the price involved to get there was substantial – and not realistic on a backpackers budget. Instead we decided to take advantage of these few days and have absolutely no agenda and just enjoy each others company. We have been having a great time enjoying great meals, pool hopping between resorts and family runs. Norrie and Kari have also been enjoying early morning runs together. We also booked in for some jet skiing fun (Kai’s birthday present from us), challenged each other in beach volleyball and created many silly games on the beach using baby coconuts as a ball.
Our favourite day was our last – in which we each had one hour to choose a family activity. The rules were simple: no paid activities and it had to include all of us. Besides that anything goes!
Norrie’s Hour:
It started off with a family run down the beach and a quick cool-off in the pool. Then we headed to the breakfast buffet and played a fun game of ‘plate presentation’ (thanks for the idea Geir and Laura). Each plate brought back to the table had to have a thoughtful food arrangement and design. Norrie won the game hands down!
The award winning breakfast plate. Yumm!!
Kai’s Hour:
We had enjoyed many competitive games of chess over the past few days. Kai wanted to even the score with us after losing multiple games. It was an intense game but unfortunately he lost in the end. Bestefar would’ve been very proud of the strategy and the effort! The competitive spirit in Kai compelled him to challenge us to a game of beach volleyball for the rest of his hour. He ended up winning this one – and everyone who played with us were impressed with Kai’s volleyball skill.
Check mate Kai!!
Vea’s Hour:
Since we’re able to use all three of the adjacent resorts – we’ve been enjoying ‘pool hopping’ between them. Vea thought it would be fun to play a game of ‘cat and mouse’ between the resorts. Vea and Norrie started off before Kai and Kari with a 10 minute lead and left small clues along the paths leading to where they’d be hiding. The best part of this game was the inventive clues that Vea put together made out of coconut husks, flowers, coral and leaves. After the cat caught the mouse, we reversed the game with Kai and Kari leading and leaving clues to their hideout pool. Some strange looks from the ‘others’ at the resort when we were laying clues – but all in good fun.
A mouse clue designed by Vea.
Kari’s Hour:
We’ve enjoyed some beautiful sunsets over these past few days – so Kari wanted to have a sunset dinner for her hour. We went to our favourite beach side grill and shared some wonderful grilled Mahi Mahi. After sunset and dinner, Kari finished her hour by proposing an evening swim in the pool – which was beautiful with all the lit tiki torches. We ended the hour with an improvised water dance routine while the evenings live music was playing in the background. We paired off in teams and rehearsed routines together – then revealed and were judged by each other. This was so fun – we declared it another ‘Wow Now’.
Sunset dinner with Mahi Mahi and chilled white wine.
We’ve had an amazing relaxing few days in beautiful Fiji. What’s made it even more special is the incredible friendliness and genuine nature of the Fijian people. Everyone is so happy and proud of their country. We’ve adopted the traditional greeting of ‘Bula’ – and use it regularly now with the proper enthusiasm with which it is said in Fiji – ‘BULLLA!’
Here’s some photos from our time in Fiji.
Next stop – Auckland, New Zealand!!
All for now!
Paradise indeed! I love hearing of your creative family time. You certainly know what the important things are in life.
It’s amazing all the things you can do with random things found in nature. Sometimes these are the games the kids are happiest playing! Hope you are starting to thaw over a crazy winter! xo
Lots of fun memories!!
I love seeing all of you looking so relaxed and happy. What wonderful family memories you are creating.
Marion and tim
Fiji looks absolutely beautiful. It was wonderful to see what you each did for your 1 hour of family /activity time. A reminder that you can have fun and make memories without spending money..all you need is an imagination!
I love seeing the kids not asking for anything that is heaps of money! They are really absorbing the travel mode. xo
This post brought a big smile to my face…nice to have time to relax and just be together without a schedule! Fun times …especially loved the cat and mouse Vea…reminded me of a game your Dad and I used to play called “follow the arrow”!! Really looking forward to your NZ posts! Miss you XO
We are soaking up the family time for sure on this trip – especially in the bobil in NZ! Love this country! xo
Thank you all so much for your beautiful photos and terrifically informative blogs! i love catching up on your worldly travels from the comforts of Hubley!
Great to hear from you Heidi! I hear the comforts of Hubley are finally thawing out! Any water showing on the lake yet? xo
What a paradise to visit,i loved all the stories of your activitees. The picture of kai and Vea with the storyteller should be in National Geografik, i am sure bestefar watched you play that chess game.
Enjoy all the lifes NOW from mamor
Chess is something we play anywhere we see outdoor games – and there are a lot! Vea is even grasping all the moves. I know Bestefar is smiling for sure! xo
Simply beautiful, Kari! Thanks for the nicely written article (enjoyable from a Mom’s outlook) and sharing your memories and photos of the 4-days of fam fun in fancy Fiji. Warm here today with lots of melting on lake and first bbq of season. Unpacked the lawn furniture from Unni’s cafe and sat for awhile.
Glad to hear things are thawing! Hope you enjoy many sunsets and beautiful days down there … and a few good bottles of wine too of course! xo
Nice! A little change of pace in a piece of paradise. Have fun in New Zealand! 🙂
Paradise it was but I am more excited about New Zealand! Have a blast in Hawaii! xo
Wow, with all our snow and bad weather, just looking at your pictures has helped with my morning.
I hear the big thaw is happening! Still swimming in the ocean in New Zealand – but we are clearly the Canadians – not too many others out there. xo
Enjoying reading about your creative family hours! The “plate presentation” gave me a laugh. Would like to join in on that one!!!
Love you guys,
Tash xo