THE PLANTATION ISLAND FIJI

BULA!!!

That’s in Fijian, in English, it is translated to WELCOME!!!

BULA sounded a locally made gun just shot in my direction. It took me about 45 seconds to process my guide was welcoming me to the plantation island. I took my time to write on my short stay at this holiday location. The plantation island Fiji is covered by of the lush acre of tropical garden, coconut palm, white-sandy beaches, these scenes serve as the fonts of gorgeous lagoons. This is an exact description of what the holidays at Fiji are. It is a beautiful holiday spot for a family to visit and relax for vacations. From the hotel rooms to the pools, the kids' water park in the lagoon, the air conditions in the bures, aside from being an exciting location for a family get together, it is a venue for romantic couples to leave the ever-busy world then go enjoy the panache that makes this place what it is.

What it is like to be at the plantation island
The first point of attraction to me was the abundance of activities to choose from; As a fun seeking individual, I knew I was at the right place. The events ranged from beach sports, surfing, scuba-tour diving, softball, volleyball, netball, golf (I practised my swing on the 9-hole golf course), indulge in a Fijian massage, marvel at the art gallery and explore the island.

Housing and hotels
Available accommodation is made to cater for all manner of individuals, from high-end expensive hotel suites to very affordable decent rooms for just everyone. Hotels are constructed with proximity to the beach and facilities around the resort. As a digital nomad, internet access is vital for my work, and it was available 24 hours a day. The hotel tops up her hospitality by having the best Fijian dishes and intercontinental dished available for guests. As someone who likes adventure, I tried the Fijian dish available.

Plantation island – destinations for most travellers
The best surprise you can ever get is the plantation island being your surprise location for your vacation, the thoughts alone of the beaches, the massage services, nature at its best, aquatic life, the waves from surfing or the breeze from scuba diving; the list is endless. Best believe you’ll love the experience here; Families will enjoy a Fiji holiday at Plantation Island thanks to the Coconut Kids Club and on-site inflatable water park. The tropical island setting is what Fijian holidays are of, and the friendly Fijians are no different here to the mainland. Your ideal Fiji holiday awaits you at Plantation Island!

Reflecting now, if I do have to make a surprise holiday plan for myself and the love of my life, the plantation island is my first-choice vacation spot.

Contact
There is a range of available options to travel to the resort, and they are all accessible and fixed with reservations and bookings.  Options like the Malolo cats, the island choppers, the Pacific island air, and the water taxi, etc. from the Nadi airport it only takes 10 minutes to get to the resort by air (chopper) and about 50 minutes by a boat or bus ride. To get the best holiday packages  travel through Aqua Travel Group. They provide the best deals you can ever encounter.

FIRST LANDING RESORTS & VILLA – A STORY OF MET EXPECTATIONS

In today’ s world of exaggerated promises and failed expectations it was with little faith I tried experiencing a vacation at the FIRST LANDING RESORT & VILLA, I came expecting exaggerated promises – I’ll say they met my expectations and beyond, this is my review.

Having read about the number of guests they could host here at a time, it was with no surprise I saw a small sized resort upon my arrival here. According to my host, this is aimed at having their guests here comfortable. With an optimum number of guests at a time – they could cater to them sufficiently.

It’s important I mention that the Fijian word for WELCOME is ‘BULA’ and it was the first word the resort receiving staff said to me upon my arrival.

“Mousier, BULA!!!!” he said.

I must say for a moment I thought I was in France instead of Fiji.

Let me give you an overview of the accommodation:
• Beachfront spa bure: they consist of a configuration system design with features like air conditioning, bathroom spa, a secret window to access ocean views. In my opinion – the ocean views are the best views from this lodge.
• Deluxe Garden Bures: one unique feature about this lodge is the separate lounge and fully equipped kitchen.
• Garden Villa: consists of 2 bedrooms with each having a private bathroom and outdoor showers. Here, the master bedroom comes with a spa bath. Each villa has its private pool, a spa, a big verandah, and a large kitchen.
• Royal Villa: comes with a master bedroom, double bath, ocean view and lots more.

Also, important I note that the little number around made it easy for the resort to attend to the needs of the number of guests available. The staff to guest ratio was adequate.

With these facilities below – I felt at home:
• 24-hour reception and security
• Available Nannies
• Bars, spas, beachfront
• Medical staff
• Conference centers/rooms
• Internet and Wi-Fi connections
• Comfortable swimming pools

DAY ACTIVITIES
As a regular traveler, my day after working, involved taking a spa treatment, relaxing under the palm trees listening to the live band playing music, at times I took walks in the garden to learn more about Fijian plants. The weekend comes with extra fun, there is a dance show, where different country dances are performed.

Other fun activities include the following:

• Beach Volley
• Coconut husking
• Kava ceremony (Fijian event)
• Etc.

RESTAURANTS
Fiji is known for her food. My experience wasn’t complete without dining to a local Fijian delicacy. The MAI KANA is one of Fiji’s famous restaurant; they offer a combination of the best foods, friendly staff and nature views. There is a world class Chef there, in the person of Chef Darren Braddock; he brings his accumulated wealth of experience to the table.

EVENTS
The FIRST LANDING RESORTS & VILLA can serve as the location for events, with available scenery of nature, and support of hospitality and fantastic staff. Also available for assistance is a team of events experts & coordinators.

CONTACT
The FIRST LANDING RESORT & VILLA is located 17KM North-West of the Nadi International Airport. This journey is about 15 minutes -drive. Should you decide to have an experience like I did (I’ll recommend you do); for your  bookings and inquiry, kindly contact Aqua travel group. They provide the best travel services. With them I can assure a remarkable and beautiful  experience.

Best Island Experience in Fiji

Fiji allows to live life at it best with a little concept the Fijians call ‘Fiji time’. Fiji time is the island culture that encourages the concept of time to be forgotten while exploring the beauty of the island. It is not a fluke that Fiji is a perfect holiday destination to have an unforgettable experience.

Fiji, in the south pacific, holds 330 idyllic islands, with each possessing countless tropical fantasies. Nature breaths awesomeness its purest form in Fiji Island, from its ocean of every shade of blue in existence, with its waves oscillating the shore to the sublime stretch of palm-studded sand. Apart from the amazing scenery Fiji Islands provides, there are loads of activities to keep your adrenaline popping.

Denarau Island Sofitel Fiji Resort &Spa
Shuttle buses are available in Nadi airport to get you to your desirable hotel or you could take a private car or taxi as you would prefer.

Sofitel Fiji Resort and spa offers spectacular luxury. The swimming pool, stunning gardens with colours dominated by lush green and the warmth of the locals makes Sofitel picture perfect. The friendliness of the Fijians makes them unique, with the ‘bula’ greeting that you get from every local that you meet. The Sofitel hotel has the most spectacular swimming pool with amenities for relaxation and refreshment. The pool has a shallow part with water and sufficient shade specially made for kids and the rest of pools is for every other person.

The rooms have spectacularly comfortable beds perfect for families and couples on honeymoon with a small bathroom and a balcony. You also have the full view of the ocean no matter your location in the hotel.

Ziplining Across the Rainforest
The Rainforest Ziplining Tour would catch your fancy if you are up for an adventure. It’s only a 45-minute drive to the rainforest and your eyes would be fed with amazing sceneries during the trip. It is sure an amazing adventure to submerge yourself in Fiji’s tropical landscape while soaring through the treetops high above the jungle canopy. Of course, for those who aren’t acrophobic.

You will be climbing 500 stairs to get to the top, so you must be fit. But, once you make it to the top, it’s all downhill. It is truly an experience that will keep your adrenaline popping, especially in the company of teenagers who insisted on ziplining upside down. You will be in the air for 2km soaring down 16 lines of zipline before landing at the bure.

Nadi Temple, Garden of the Sleeping Giant & Sabeto Mud Baths Tour
The day trips that’s taken in the Nadi Temple, Garden of the Sleeping Giant and the Mud Baths is quite an experience. Touring Nadi and catching sight of religious landmarks and natural attraction and taking a Sabeto mud bath is a must do while in Fiji.

The outing begins at the beautiful Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple, the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere. The traditional Davidian architecture will dazzle you, paying attention to the painted wooden carvings of deities crafted by Indian artists.

After visiting the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami temple, you be off to see the Fragrant flowers at the Garden of the Sleeping Giant while making stops at schools and little villages with population of 700 people. The Garden of the Sleeping giants contains several collections of 30 to 40 varieties of huge Asian orchid and cattleya hybrids. The garden will be one of the most pleasant discoveries you will make in Fiji.

After touring the beautiful orchids at the Garden of the sleeping giants, the tour will proceed to the Sabeto thermal mud and hot spring which is just a few kilometers away. The mud bath entails stripping to you swimmers and coating yourself with lashes of mud. Once you have caked yourself in the mud, you will proceed into the warm mud bath and then over to the warm springs to wash off the mud.

The last stop will be the Namaka Market where Fijians peruse colorful slacks of tropical fruits and vegetable

Castaway Island
Castaway Island, popularly called ‘Qalito’ by the Fijians is situated within the cloud 9 Fiji, North Beach, and Musket Cove. The sea trip takes about one hour from the Denarau terminal, travelling past several Mamanuca islands to drop off passengers.

The castaway island will almost make you feel you’re lost in wonderland. The island offers amazing sceneries and loads of off-shore activities. You can choose to snorkel through the crystal clear turquois water to have a close look at the marine life. There are other activities like surfing, boat rides, parasailing and loads more.

Fiji and the islands: Where to go & what to see on holiday

Seeking for a place to have the perfect holiday experience? Fiji is that place to have an unforgettable experience. Fiji is an island that will feed your eyes with amazing sceneries and make your soul sing a song of excitement. Fiji is a south pacific island made up of 330 idyllic islands, with each possessing flaxen beaches, undulating coconut trees and spectacular topography.

Viti Levu is the major island, where you will fly into Nadi Airport. Landing in Nadi, you will realize there is more to Fiji than the gorgeous ocean waves oscillating the shore. You could sand dune down the sigatoka sand dunes national park, capturing different sights while making your way through the various trails, including ancient pottery chard.

Things to do on Viti Levu (the Main Island)
It is highly recommended to include a few days on Viti Levu if you are spending over 7 nights at Fiji. You know, just to have the mainland experience in Fiji. Before you head to the islands, the mainland has numerous activities to get your groove on, from cageless diving with bull sharks, to skydiving, jet boating, adventure tours, zipline and waterfall, mud pool tour, ziprail, wild adventure and loads more.

Yasawa Islands and the outer Island
After spending few days on the Mainland, take the Yasawa Flyer out to the island. This is the only service which operates to the islands and departs once a day at 8.30am from Danarau Marina. Heading to the north of Yasawa by catamaran takes about five and a half hours, despite the duration you would enjoy the journey, because there are opportunities to capture sights of different Manamuca and Yasawa islands en-route stunning island scenery and oceans of every shade of blue there is.

A warm Island welcome awaits you! 
A heartwarming Fijian hospitality is even better on arrival in the islands. A welcome song; ‘Bula Melaya’ awaits you from your hotel staffs on arrival, greeting you with flower chains. Fiji, her people and the islands are so friendly.

If you have time, 2/3 days is recommended on each island, giving you ample time to explore. Most island have more adventurous activities than just relaxing at the beach.

Accommodation in Fiji
Fiji has accommodation options to everyone’s budget, from Backpacker to deluxe properties. The Luxury hotels are exceptional with great diving facilities and all the pampering and relaxation you need.

The Fijian food, drink and Kava Ceremony
There are more fantastic fish dishes in Fiji being an island nation. Kokoda, which is raw fish salad in coconut milk is highly recommended. You’ll still find plenty of choices if you don’t have taste for fishes including Chinese and curries. No trip will be complete without attending a kava welcoming ceremony. You will be encouraged to drink plenty of Kava on your trip; a local drink made from the root of a kava plant. Kava drinking is embedded into Fijian life, and the social aspect of sharing the drink with friends is an important part of Fijian culture.

Fiji is highly recommended as a destination for a long holiday as it has so much to offer and excellent value for money.

Fiji Sightseeing

Fiji is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, the island country is endowed with many masterpieces brilliantly carved by Mother Nature and further enhanced by man’s ingenuity. It is no wonder that the country has continued to attract tourists from all nooks and cranny of the world. For sightseeing you might want to explore the about 333 islands and inlets with its magnificently clear water home to about one thousand species of fishes, coral reefs and fauna.  The crux of this little piece is to shine light on some of the points of attraction that has continued to be a source of fascination to tourists from all walks of life.

Bouma National Heritage Park, Taveuni Island
Established in 1990, this Fiji national heritage site located on the famous Taveuni Island is a nature’s lover paradise. The park covers an area of about 150 square kilometers of rainforest which is home to some of the rarest species of plant and a wide array of birds on the planet. You can simply walk through the soul soothing forest and bask in its charm or avail yourself the opportunity to snorkel at the marine park at Waitabu. Feel like Indiana Jones as you explore the ancient ruins near Vidawa. The park is also home to the Tavoro Waterfalls which is a three set of falls where you can swim to complete satisfaction.

Garden of the Sleeping Giant
This magnificent garden is located at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands, the well landscaped garden is home to a mind-blowing collection of different kinds of orchard numbering around 2000 which is scattered across 20 hectares of land. The park is also home to most of Fiji’s native plants and flowers, dense rainforest, lily pond full of tadpoles and frogs. This garden is simply out of this world exploring it will make you feel you have left mother earth to a fairy tale land as the garden itself looks like a scene from a fairy tale movie.

Yasawa Islands 

Located on Fiji’s western border this island has managed to keep its idyllic charm unhampered with. The island is endowed with gorgeous beaches which affords you the opportunity to snorkel and kayak peacefully without hindrance or disturbance, feed fishes, swim with turtles etc. You can also visit village and help yourself with tropical fruits. Yasawa Island can be visited by seaplane from Nadi, the journey lasts for 30 minutes giving you ample opportunity to savor the idyllic scenery. The Blue Lagoon Cruise is a nice option to tour and enjoy the activities on the island. The cruise offers daily schedule that lasts for about four hours of cruising every day.

Mamanuca Islands

The Mamanuca group of islands is where the Tom Hanks movie Castaway was filmed Explore the uninhabited Modriki Island aboard the classic schooner Seaspray to see various locations where the movie was filmed. The 83-foot schooner anchors off Modriki so passengers can go ashore to explore and snorkel. Visit Mana Island where Survivor series have been filmed. South Sea Cruises operate day trips to Mana Island.

These Islands are a great spot for water activities of all kinds, Surfing, snorkelling, dive sites, or riding one of the best surf breaks in the world. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break, an affordable holiday or some family time, there’s an island in the Mamanucas for everyone.

Coral Coast
Nestled on the Eastern side of Viti Levu, an 80km stretch of pristine white beaches, secluded bays and amazing scenery of the coral reef, Coral Coast is a place to be. It is a perfect location for relaxation and endless opportunities for underwater exploration.

Coral Coast was one of the first locations in all of Fiji to be modernized which led to a boom in tourism. Starting in 1950, Bill Clarke built the first hotel in Coral Coast called the Korolevu Beach Hotel, that was over 76 acres in size.

Today, the Coral Coast is well known for its family-friendly resorts, hotels and popular backpackers. The coast is also home to many local villages where you can get a glimpse of the real Fiji.

Explore the rich vegetation of Coral Coast, experience the inland highlights such as the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Tavuni Hill Fort, Sigatoka Valley and, near Pacific Harbour, river trips in the Namosi Highlands and diving in the Beqa Lagoon. Visit Pottery Village to learn pottery making and experience the culture then stop at Kula Eco Park to see the Fijian Wildlife.

All major resorts are situated along the coastal areas such as Shangri-La Fijian Resort, Outrigger Fiji, The Naviti Resort and Warwick Fiji.

Pacific Harbour

The pacific harbor is popularly referred to as the “Adventure Capital of Fiji”. The reason for this is not farfetched, there are a myriad of activities here to keep your adventurous sense tingling. Activities such as river rafting on the gorgeous Upper Navua River, zip lining, surfing, jet skiing, 4WD adventure, a dive with bull sharks in Beqa Lagoon will always keep you coming back. It seems there is no end to the fun filled activities you can enjoy in the harbor. If you are an art enthusiast, then the art village is yours to explore there is also a first class restaurant to tender to your stomach needs.

The charm and beauty of Fiji is best experienced than described, this is not to suggest that these are the best sightseeing Fiji has to offer but rather to give you a glimpse of what to find should you desire to visit the small Island country. My ink will surely run dry if I were to discuss all the amazing sightseeing this beautiful country has in stock. Fiji is simply a place where nature comes in complete harmony with civilization, this provides a blend of idyllic scenery found nowhere else on planet earth.

For more information visit our website https://aquatoursfiji.com/collections/tours

The Best Adventure Tours and Cruises in FIJI

Fiji is an archipelago comprising of about 330 islands and 500 islets some of which have never been inhabited. The country is located on the South Pacific Ocean. Its neighbors are New Caledonia to the southwest, Vanuatu to the west and New Zealand to the Southeast. For obvious reasons this country has always been a magnet attracting fun lovers from all across the world, calling it a sort of paradise on earth will not be an exaggeration. Fiji offers one of the best adventure tours and cruises you can find anywhere in the whole wide world. Whether you simply want to spend quality time alone while you mingle with other fun lovers or you simply desire to holiday with families and friends after chasing the “paper”, you can rest assured that Fiji is the place to be. Grab a cup of coffee while we expose you to the best adventure tours and cruises in Fiji.

Zipline & Waterfall Tours Fiji

Have you ever wondered how it feels like to fly like a bird and enjoy the bird eye views from the top, well look no further as one of the uniqueness of this adventure tour is that it offers you an opportunity to travel through charming forests, villages, schools and waterfalls just as a bird would except that the zip line which travels at a speed of 40km/h would be your wings. This adventure tours also allow you to walk majestically through lacey ferns, wild colorful orchids as you help yourself with pineapples, bananas and other exotic tropical plants. You are also treated to a mouth watering Deli style lunch which includes sandwiches, salads and soft fruit drinks. Zipline & Waterfall Tours Fiji is definitely one of Fiji's best.

Lautoka Port – Shore Excursion – Cruise Ship passengers

 
Going on an adventure on a cruise ship is not an exclusive preserve of the extremely rich. The Lautoka port shore excursion brings you an opportunity to enjoy a private day tour for Cruise ship passengers at a pocket-friendly price. The tour begins in an air-conditioned vehicle which would be used for a private tour of Fiji’s Sugar City Lautoka, tourists’ attraction, and markets. This is followed by a drive to Nadi with stops at the historic Veseisei village where the first Fijians landed, Sabeto Mud Pools and Hot Springs renowned for its therapeutic natural thermal mud spa, Garden of Sleeping Giant which is home to a variety of more than 2000 magnificent Asian orchids and Cattleya hybrids. After the stops, you will be treated to a five-star lunch at Denarau Island where your ship would be ready to take you to your next breathtaking destination.

Mamanuca & Southern Yasawa Islands
A trip to Fiji without savoring the charm of her waters is unimaginable except maybe you are allergic to water, Island cruise gives you the chance to bask in the charming and magnificent waters of Fiji. Escape to outer Islands for a day trip with South Sea Cruises or Captain Cook Cruises. Enjoy Tivua Island Day Cruise, South Sea Island Day Cruise, Mana Island Day Cruise, Snorkel with Sharks or Explore the Yasawa Island. You would begin your trip from Port Denarau. Cruise through the Mamanuca Island group notorious for its glamorous and golden beaches where you will have enough time to snorkel dive, explore the waterways with kayaks and glass-bottomed boat tours. Blue Lagoon Cruises and Captain Cook Cruises Fiji offer luxury cruises around the islands. Premium services offered includes fully catered buffets and 3-course meals, massage services, Jacuzzi and cocktail bar.    

Say what you may but there should be no denying that Fiji is fun seekers paradise, in order to get the best of Fiji there is a need for you to know the best adventure tours and cruises available in the country and that is what we have just done. As lawyers would say: “res ipsa loquitor”, this is a Latin/ legal maxim that is translated as “the fact speaks for itself” the fact that these are the best adventure tours and cruises in Fiji speaks for itself. We look forward to hearing your experience as you attest to the fact these are the best adventure tours and cruises in Fiji and certainly one of the best the world has to offer.

Lautoka Port – Shore Excursion : The glamorous way to experience the best of Fiji

Nestled in a corner of South Pacific Ocean, Fiji is famous for its sprawling beaches lined with palm trees, vibrant culture, and plethora of fun activities. In a word, it is a traveller’s paradise. If you love beaches but haven’t visited Fiji yet, you are missing a great deal. Being an archipelago of more than 300 islands Fiji promises of unadulterated scenic beauty, pristine sea shores, dynamic ecosystem, and exciting wild and marine life. Whether you are seeking a romantic gateway or adrenalin driven vacation, Fiji will not disappoint you. In fact, it is one of the few places left in the earth to experience nature at its best. Lautoka is the second largest city of Fiji and a busy port destination. Located at the heart of the country’s sugar producing region it is an important business and commercial destination as well. It is a great place to experience modern Fiji alongside its quaint, mesmerizing beaches. So don’t delay and book your next vacation to Lautoka.

The many facades of Lautoka
Lautoka simultaneously is a bustling city, commercial destination, and tourist heaven. You can plan a day long excursion while you are here and also soak in its vibrant local culture. Lautoka happens to be one of the first places where the first generation settlers arrived before they settled in Fiji. You can still get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the original Fijians in Nadi. Later, Lautoka became a major commercial hub when the European settlers came over as it is located at the heart of the sugarcane producing region. Till date Lautoka’s economy is driven by its many sugar factories. As a tourist you can take a tour of the city – visiting its many alley ways and shopping knick-knacks in the city’s numerous shops. Or, you can sail on a cruise ship that will take you to its nearby ports and islands.

Cruising is perhaps the best way to experience Fiji Islands. You can relax on a cruise ship while it wades through the calm, blue water. Apart from that, Lautoka offers hordes of exciting experiences like mud-pool excursion, tour of Garden of Sleeping Giants, nature trek, water sports, waterfall swimming, hiking etc. You sure will be spoiled for choices.

How to get the best of Lautoka
Since there are so many things to do, planning a perfect day can be difficult. You definitely will not wish to miss the best. As mentioned earlier, cruise ships are excellent choices to experience the Islands. Select from day cruises or private tours of the shores and experience a perfect day of leisure and luxury.

To make your experience unforgettable we suggest you to go with the best cruise lines in Fiji. It’s not only that they have international standard cruise ships but also can help in planning a perfect day trip.

Aqua Tours Fiji is one of the pioneer Tour Operators with extensive experience and proven track records in delivering the best tourist experience. They have combined sightseeing with cruise trips to many remote Islands to ensure you don’t miss anything. Aqua Tours Fiji stops at all local tourists attractions like -  Veseisei Village, Garden of Sleeping Giants, Sabeto Mud Pools and Hot Springs for all Cruise ship passengers.

While on the ship experience their world-class amenities and best entertainment programs that are specially designed keeping the diverse nature of the passengers in mind.

To learn more about Aqua Tours Fiji Shore Excursion from Lautoka Port, please visit their website https://aquatoursfiji.com/products/lautoka-port-shore-excursion-cruise-ship-passengers