Tom and I had a fantastic holiday in the States, where we celebrated our wedding and reconnected with friends and family after our first year abroad. On our journey back to Australia, we detoured to Fiji for a short honeymoon, specifically to unwind and enjoy some quality time together.
We left Pittsburgh on Monday afternoon for our flight to Las Vegas, but due to a delay in our connection to Los Angeles, we missed our flight to Fiji by just a few minutes. After navigating a whirlwind of emotions, we rebooked for the next day and checked into a nearby hotel - a process complicated by the recent system outages. We finally crashed into bed at 2 a.m. (5 a.m. EST). The next day, we treated ourselves to a poolside day pass at the Marriott, making the most of an unfortunate situation. Although our honeymoon got off to a rocky start, we learned the valuable lesson of budgeting extra time between flights.
The Republic of Fiji is located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 2,100 km north of New Zealand. It's an archipelago with over 300 islands, of which 100 are inhabited. The capital, Suva, is on the southeast coast of the largest island, Viti Levu ("Great Fiji").
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Fiji is known for its beautiful beaches, world-class diving, and friendly people. |
Half of the Fiji Islands are covered in lush forest, while the western parts of the larger islands are dry grasslands. The coastline is marked by coral reefs and rocks, and mangrove swamps are common along the eastern shores. Coastal areas are adorned with coconut palms; most tropical fruits and vegetables can grow there.
Fiji’s first settlers arrived from the islands of Melanesia more than 3,500 years ago. Fiji gained independence in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Today, the economy is largely driven by tourism and agriculture, with a historical emphasis on sugarcane. The official languages are English, Fijian, and Fijian Hindi; the widely used Fijian language has many dialects.
Indigenous Fijians constitute more than half of the population. The country is divided into 14 provinces that manage resources and services for the indigenous population. Each province is subdivided into districts, which consist of villages, and these villages are organized into tribes, clans, and families.
Fijians are known for their warm hospitality and genuine enthusiasm for life. Tourism Fiji's slogan, "where happiness comes naturally," pays tribute to their vibrant culture, which values family, faith, community, and nature. The Fijian greeting "Bula" means "life" and is used to wish good health. Men and women often tuck a flower, like a hibiscus or frangipani, behind their ear; I later discovered that the side they choose to place the flower on can indicate their relationship status.
Tom and I managed to catch our original flight 24 hours later - 10 hours overnight to Fiji. We arrived in Nadi early Thursday morning. Stepping off the plane, I immediately noted the humidity and birds.
From the airport, we took a 30-minute van ride south to Port Denaru. Along the way, we watched the sunrise over the mountainous landscape. The stark contrast between the luxurious resorts and the local shacks was a reminder of Fiji's status as a developing country.
From Port Denaru, we embarked on a 75-minute speedboat transfer to Matamanoa Island - located about 30 km west of Nadi in the Mamanuca Islands. Although the wind created a bumpy ride, it was incredibly scenic.
Stepping off the boat into the shallow waters surrounding Matamanoa, we were greeted with traditional song and dance. Matamanoa Island Resort is a secluded and intimate adults-only island; a slice of paradise with soft white sand and warm turquoise waters.
Each oceanfront villa or bure includes an outdoor shower, daybed, and plunge pool.
The infinity pool offers a stunning eastern view towards the mountainous silhouette of the mainland.
July in Fiji is winter and, more specifically, dry season - typically bringing warm and sunny days with temperatures ranging from 79°F to 84°F. Humidity is lower than usual, and trade winds are frequent. During our stay, we encountered a mix of sunshine, wind, and tropical storms - a reminder of the charm and unpredictability of island weather.
This time of year, most tourists come from Australia and New Zealand; during the summer months (November to April), visitors commonly travel from North America and Europe. We quickly befriended a Kiwi couple who shared some fun insights: South Pacific islands are famously known for three things - life operates on "island time," towels can be surprisingly scarce, and costs are higher than in Southeast Asia.
Tom and I usually plan adventure-packed trips, but this one prioritized relaxation. Each day began by watching the sunrise from our bure.
The rest of the day consisted of beach walks and swims, snorkeling in Fiji's underwater paradise, and reading poolside with a cocktail in hand.
Every evening, we'd catch the sunset before dinner, and during the meal, a pair of acoustic musicians would serenade each table with a song. On our final night, Tom secretly requested our first dance song, "Unchained Melody."
On Sunday afternoon, the staff sang farewell as we boarded the water-taxi to the mainland. From Nadi, it's four hours to Melbourne.
In the taxi ride to our house, "Unchained Melody" played on the radio, which was the perfect ending to this unforgettable adventure. Filled with excitement to be home and see the boys, we were overcome by a deep sense of gratitude.
