JULY 2018 : FIJI : Family holiday : Day 4

Today we booked a day cruise through the hotel. It was a 9.30 start.

A tour operator collects guests from all the resorts on Denarau Island.

Leaving our resort.

Half an hour off the coast we stopped off a small island resort and snorkelled and paddled off a nearby reef.

Interesting snorkelling - a variety of colourful fish and starfish on a bleached coral reef.

Another half hour’s drive to an isolated sandbank,

Full of coral

And birdlife

We swam, collected shells and coral, snorkelled and kayaked - although it became quite windy and rough

A wild crossing to Vomo Island for our lunch break

Vomo Island

Curry and seafood chowder in a bread container for lunch

Back on the boat for the return journey

A four generational group from Melbourne - 17 in all - who shared the day with us.

A staff member commented on Ash’s Brumbies hat. He was Larry Speight, brother of the spectacular Brumbies’ wing, Henry Speight.

We all enjoyed today. A few people suffered seasickness with the wilder weather but the staff were caring and helpful.

Dinner at the Lagoon smorgasbord with a lively cultural dancers

M&M

JULY 2018 : FIJI : Family holiday : Day 3

A perfect day today. 25oC, sunny.

Lots of colour around the hotel

Butterflies

Another water lily caught in a magical light

Breakfast at the Parisienne Café..a little quieter and less of a bun fight compared to the main smorgasbord restaurant.

A whole day at the pool..

Including impromptu water aerobics

Playing UNO..

Reading, reading, reading..

More reading...

A little shopping

Dinner at Lulu’s at the port..Koby enjoying the music.

We took the hop on hop off bus to and from the hotel, much to the kids’ excitement.

M&M

JULY 2018 : FIJI : Family holiday : Day 2

Our first morning 

Ponds with lily pads and finding frogs a new activity

Unusual fruits

A tiny Fijian parrot finch

Enjoying the slide

Archer looks on..

Relaxing in hammocks

Some Fijian crafts displayed around the resort

Lunch at the port. Food an issue - the choice expensive hotel meals, 20 min walk to cafes (tiring for little ones) or limited snack foods at small supermarket.

Archer whisked away to be be admired by all the staff

Craft at small port. Setting off point for resorts and communities on smaller islands

Nightly dancing performance at the resort

Dinner at Salt restaurant near the hotel pool

M&M

JULY 2018 : FIJI : Family holiday : Day 1

A very different holiday for us this time.

A family trip with three of our grandchildren to the tropical island of Fiji to escape a cld Canberra winter.

We selected a resort on the main island of Vitu Levi, the Sofitel. It is one several on Denarau Island south of Nadi.

The resorts are in a manicured area, in contrast to the communities en route from the airport.

The Sofitel is the largest with a large pool and several restaurants.

Straight to the pool

Then ice creams..

A tropical sunset

Following suggestions of friends we walked to the port, 20 minutes from our hotel, for dinner.

We chose the Hard Rock Cafe.

An exciting first day.

M&M