One of the wonderful things about working for a Worldwide Hotel company, is the benefits. We have looked at Bora Bora, Sweden, Hawaii, Maldives just to name a few places the Hilton has locations for employee discounted rates! We booked our Fiji trip the week we got back from our second honeyversary on a Caribbean Cruise. Booking a year out is INSANE, I know. But we knew that this was one location we wanted to experience together.
When people ask, “where is your dream place to vacation?” Warren would always say Fiji and I always said Hawaii. They are both similar distance from the ‘mainland’ of the United States, but I must give the winning metal to Fiji's all inclusive resorts. To be fair, we haven’t yet stayed at an all inclusive in Hawaii (I am sure that is on the future horizon) but I am so excited to show you the trip that CHANGED. MY. LIFE. I know Warren concurs with my same feelings.
We stayed at the Hilton Double Tree Resort on Sonaisali Island. We had to ferry across the river to get to our resort and were welcomed with palm trees, warm breezes, perfect water. Our getaway was a beach house away from all the noise, restaurants, shops and people. Our beach house overlooked the beautiful ocean, soft black sand, and we could walk straight out into the ocean. Our back deck became home to many bird visits and shelter for humid, cloudy & (one) rainy days. We enjoyed sunsets that looked as if they were painted by none other than Bob Ross. We had many lizard friends at our doorstep after dark and frogs that congregated around the palms at night. We enjoyed so many amazing breakfasts FULL of gluten free options (I cried) and many a nights being sung to by the amazing musicians that worked at the resort.
We started our trip with a boat ride (with 8 others packed into one metal canoe boat) up to the special dedicated waterfall hike. We were told our group of 8 was extremely abnormal, considering average groups are in the 30s-40s with maximum of 60 people at one time! Once we reached the hike, which was short, sweet but it did not prepare us for the sheer astounding beauty that lie around the corner. This waterfall grandly presented herself with cold mist, immaculate views and beckoning pool. The guide encouraged us to get in and realized too late that the water was BRISKLY cold. Warren and I did lots of whoop’n & holler’n to let the island know we were NOT ready for the unusually cold water. Our guide even jumped off from the side of the cliff at LEAST 15 feet up, not once, but three different times! Definitely didn't attempt that...
On our way back down the Navua river (of which our guide proudly reminded us several times, that “Anaconda: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid” was filmed there) we stopped halfway back. We got out of the metal motorized boat and onto a handmade bamboo raft to truly feel and live in ‘Fiji Time: No Hurry No Worry'.
Our guide spoke about the culture, the pioneers of the river & so many stories that were truly awe inspiring.
We returned to the village and were welcomed and completely enveloped in the Fijian culture. We truly felt down to our deepest core what it means to be part of the Fijian culture, people, livelihood and the extreme Fijian love.
The village acceptance was much more than I’ve ever felt by any group of people. They served us freshly gathered coconut water straight from the coconut (do not recommend unless cold), showered us with food the village had been cooking on our behalf for the last several hours. We enjoyed watching the dancing ceremonies from the men of the village as well as the women and then ate the best food, and most ripe pineapple I think I will ever eat in my entire life.
They shared with us in the ceremony of Yagona (Yan-go-nah) of which we were invited to drink Kava. Kave is a local (nasty flavored) root that is made into a muddy colored drink that tingles the tongue,cheeks, throat and fills you with natural energy (and depending on the strength you definitely get a natural high.... Lets just say we got the 'local' dosage not the tourist dosage).
After this ceremony, we were told that we were officially family. "You are welcome to live with us, visit us, build a hut with and completely envelope our lives in the culture". They were willing to even feed us dinner and arrange for us to get back to our resorts if we wanted to stay. We danced together, played, learned, ate and even enjoyed some Fiji hair braiding ( kept those braids for as long as I could. Another two additional weeks to be exact!).
This idea of just a fun dip into Fijian culture? Turned out to be SO. MUCH. MORE than we expected. I experienced some immensely spiritual moments that truly shaped my life. I felt SO connected to our village, our family.
My Fiji family is a family that I know in the deep depths of my heart as a people we were meant to find. I felt so much love, connection, and pure love from complete strangers, that accepted me almost instantly as family. Warren was asked by the village guide to give a short speech as to what his feelings were and share what spoke to his heart. He said the most perfect words and to share a bit of what I remember.
He said: “I think I speak for all of us here today when I say this was an experience we will never forget. We are changed for the better because of this experience. I believe in God and I do believe that we will be with each other again.”
Fiji for our third honeyversary was more than we could have ever dreamed. These are moments we will forever remember together.
