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Fiji Nalova Bay

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  • Spring 2025 Trip
    31
    Day 41

    D6 Visit the Sawa-i-Lao Caves

    February 12 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    This is the cave is in the movie Blue Lagoon. It's a beautiful cave in which you enter by a walkable path, then swim into the cave, then swim to another cave underwater passage. It was an enjoyable experience even though Mark might have blinded a couple of folks with his scuba lights.Read more

  • down under 24/25
    111
    Day 63–65

    blue lagoon

    January 12 in Fiji ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    & es isch es witers mau troumhaft schön gsi..
    das mau lani d biuder für sich la spräche..🏝️

    (bim letste video heimer e tagesteip zu de sawa-i-lau caves gmacht. i die ersti heimer dür ne stäge abechönne, für i di zwöiti wo dunku isch gsi heimer när unger düre müesse touche🤿)Read more

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  • Nancy and Tim's Big Adventure
    1
    Day 51

    Voyage to Yasawa Islands, Fiji

    December 26, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ 🌧 29 °C

    We knew it was the rainy season in Fiji but we didn't expect the onslaught of almost continuous rain (at times torrential) over the past week.

    In Nadi on Christmas Eve, we joined in a kava ceremony with a local musical trio at our hotel. (Nancy and I only had one cup, but the band took multiple “ kava breaks” during their performance; their playing got better, and louder, after each).

    Christmas was a rest day as strong winds and pelting rain made venturing out impossible.

    Boxing day was an adventure on a biblical scale. Despite howling winds and rough seas, the catamaran to our next island stop was running. Luckily Nancy came prepared with motion sickness tablets so we were ok for the ~ 4 hr voyage - but there was much weeping and gnashing of teeth by many passengers (ok I'm exaggerating, let's just say the ships supply of seasickness bags was significantly depleted during the trip).

    The catamaran couldn't drop us off at the usual spot due to rough seas so they transferred us and our luggage into a “long boat” (an open fiberglass fishing boat about 20 ft long) and we navigated ~6ft waves and swells for another 20 minute voyage that seemed like an eternity. Nancy felt confident though because the “first mate's” name was Noah (I'm not making this up) and she figured even if the voyage took 40 days we'd make it alright. I was less assured when I found out the “captain's” name was Jonah (I'm not making this up!); for a moment I wondered if we were going to draw lots to see who would be sacrificed to the sea and spend the next few days in the belly of a whale. Including passengers and crew, there were 4 souls onboard the longboat and I only counted 2 lifejackets.

    Completely drenched in salt water, we made it safely to shore for 2 days rest on Naviti island.

    There was only one other couple at our homestay in Naviti (and they were only there because the earthquake in Vanuatu changed their holiday plans - otherwise Nancy and I would have been the only guests). This was our first opportunity to get a feel of how real Fijians live (the homestays are family owned and operated). Our brief encounter with George, nephew of the owner, gave us an appreciation of the importance of family in their culture and some of the complexities in those familial relationships (like when an extended family member asks you for help, “no” is not an acceptable answer 🙂).

    On December 28 we took another voyage (this one only ~1.5 hrs and much less harrowing) to Nanuya Lai Lai island for a 3 day stop at another homestay before our planned return voyage to Nadi on New Years Eve day.    Read more

  • Isabell und CarstenFidschi
    1
    2
    Day 4

    Urlaub vom Urlaub

    December 11, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    Stellt euch folgende Situation vor: es soll ein ganz besonderer Tag in eurem Leben werden. Ihr befindet euch mitten im Paradies, an einem von Palmen gesäumten weißen Strand und Wasser so blau wie ein Saphir. Die Hochzeitshymne beginnt zu spielen und ihr schreitet zusammen mit der Person, der euer Herz gehört, auf den Altar unter einem Strandpavillon zu. Dort angekommen schießt der Fotograf eure Fotos für die Ewigkeit, die später eingerahmt in eurer Wohnung stehen werden. Bei genauerem Hinsehen bemerkt ihr später etwas auf dem Wasser: zwei weiße Touristen in einem Kayak, die vom stundenlangen Paddeln gegen den Wind im klaren aber urintemperierten Meer offensichtlich derartig verschwitzt sind, dass ihr Wasserverlust signifikant zum Tidenhub der Flut beigetragen hat. Einmal dürft ihr raten, wer die zwei waren, die sich da ins Hochzeitsbild geschlichen haben. Doch wie sind wir überhaupt dorthin gekommen?

    Es begann mit dem Gedanken, dass die uns zur Verfügung stehenden 90 Tage in Neuseeland nicht ausreichen könnten. Zu schön ist das, was auf der Südinsel noch vor uns liegt. Eine vorzeitige Aus- und wiederholte Einreise würden das Problem lösen und uns gleichzeitig davor bewahren, im Neujahr zur Hauptferienzeit der Südhalbkugel in eher touristischen Gegenden zu reisen. Ein paar Stunden später war die Südseereise gebucht: 3 Wochen Fidschi!

    Nach einem Tag Akklimatisierung auf der Hauptinsel, ging es direkt auf eine Fähre in Richtung der Yasawas, eine Inselgruppe mit viel stereotypischem Südsee-Flair. Anders als sonst quartierten wir uns in einem eher luxuriösen Resort ein, um für ein paar Tage so richtig die Seele baumeln zu lassen und uns vom "Stress" des Wanderns zu erholen. Das klappte hervorragend, auch wenn es sehr ungewohnt war von vorne bis hinten bedient zu werden.

    Das Navutu Stars Resort liegt an einer Meerenge zweier Inseln. Die abgeschirmte Lage bot ideale Bedingungen zum Schwimmen, Schnorcheln und ... Kayakfahren. Somit brachte uns eine mehrstündige Exkursion mit dem Kayak in die Nähe eines benachbarten Luxusresorts der Klasse "Britney Spears hat hier ihre Flitterwochen verbracht". Wer sich in unserer erhabenen Anwesenheit das Ja-Wort gegeben hat, werden wir wohl niemals erfahren.

    Auch abseits der Ausflüge genossen wir die Farben des Meeres, die Ruhe und die längere Verweildauer an einem Ort sehr. Gleichzeitig nutzten wir jede Gelegenheit zum Gespräch mit den Einheimischen, um mehr über die Kultur und das Leben auf den Inseln zu erfahren. In den abgelegen Dörfern spielen Tradition, Religion und Dorfgemeinschaft eine große Rolle. Importe von der Hauptinsel sind teuer und somit leben die Dorfbewohner hauptsächlich von Landwirtschaft, Fischerei oder vom Tourismus.

    Besonders gut haben wir uns mit dem Barkeeper Penne verstanden, der direkt aus dem Dorf auf der Insel stammt, jedoch sehr weltoffen war, bereits auf der Hauptinsel und 3 Monate in Australien gelebt hat. Er schien auch "unsere Welt" zu verstehen, weshalb wir von ihm bei unserem abendlichen Cocktail besonders viel lernen konnten.    Read more

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  • TravelerNairo2Rio - Around The World
    2211
    Day 238–241

    Oarsman‘s Bay - Private Island Time

    June 7, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ 🌬 26 °C

    Back to Nacula Island. After a great few days at the Octopus Resort with some interesting company, I was heading back to Nacula Island - not to stay at the Blue Lagoon Resort as last time, but at Oarsman's Bay. It is located literally right next to the Blue Lagoon Resort and as soon as I had checked in to Oarsman's, I headed to Blue Lagoon to say hello to some of the staff I had met there during my stay a week prior.

    Last time I was on the island, the weather was mediocre, this time, however, I had sunny skies and I understood why it is called the blue lagoon. We could see that from the ferry already. The colour truly was insanely turquoise and I was ready to jump in pretty much immediately. So I checked in, drank a coconut, got the snorkel and went off to see some fish.

    The next day, all guests received a little surprise. As there was some construction going on at the resort, management offered to spend the day at their private island (Yaromo Island) instead. It is a mere 15 minute boat ride from the resort and if I ever say 'no' to a complimentary day on a private island, please shoot me.

    First up in the morning was a trip to a nearby interesting cave, though. After a windy and rocky 20 minute boat ride, my group climbed up a few steps and then jumped into the water within the cave. Sunlight was shining through its roof that gave it a somewhat mysterious atmosphere. What was more, the cave had another chamber. However, to get to the second chamber, we had to duck dive beneath a rock for a few seconds. In other words, you have to hold your breath and follow the light of the torch on the other side as the second chamber is pitch black. It was a bit scary, but definitely worth it. The echo in the other chamber was quite something. We didn't stay too long there, though, so we dived back, did a bit of rock climbing and jumping in the first chamber and then exited the cave. It was a nice experience and definitely something different to all the other water-based activities in the ocean.

    Following that little adventure, we were now heading to the private island. And given the blueness of the water and the sunny day, it was a perfect spot - apparently it is often used by guys in a relationship to propose to their significant other and the island has extra platforms and spots for such occasions. Quite romantic. It really was a beautiful spot and Julia (a girl from Germany I met in the dorm) and I decided to take the opportunity to snap some photos and otherwise just lounge around on the beach, go snorkeling again, eat lunch and just soak in the paradises atmosphere. It was such a great day in an otherwordly location.

    On my last full day on the island, I went snorkeling again (dah) and then did another super cool and very pacific-island-vibe activity - coconut bowling. It is what you think it is. Bowling with a full coconut. The aim is to hit a single big rock or bowl in a way so that your coconut is in a specific corridor that gets you the most points. It was quite fun and, taadaa, I won. Whoop! A simply amazing activity.

    Unfortunately, I could not really celebrate my glorious victory, as shortly after, for some reason I had mild food poisoning. This meant for the rest of the evening, I mostly stayed in bed. Luckily, it was all gone the next day and I was back on track.

    To review Oarsman's Bay: I liked the place. Together with the Blue Lagoon Resort, it has probably the best location in terms of colour of the water in front of its beach and a complimentary stay on its private island was definitely the cherry on the top. The cave was also a cool little adventure. That said, it was not the best resort (food was average, people were okayish, no diving options) and I preferred the nearby Blue Lagoon, but regardless, I had a good stay there and will look back at it with great memories - especially about the private island.    Read more

  • TravelerNairo2Rio - Around The World
    1111
    Day 230–233

    Blue Lagoon - Crab Racing & Great Food

    May 30, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    After a successful first island, Nanuya Island, me and a couple of other travelers took the
    ferry to the northern tip of the Yasawa Island group. It was home to the Blue Lagoon Resort on Nacula Island, where we heard that every dinner is a 5-course affair and the food is the best across the Yasawas. And surely, the food throughout my three nights I was staying there did not disappoint - from lamb shank to fresh fish, via Wagyu beef burgers to chocolate brownies. It was by far the best food I had in quite some time. 5 courses were just awesome. The entire atmosphere on the island was also very nice with Kava Ceremonies and live music with singing during our dinners every night.

    Unfortunately, the weather was not really on our side on this island, as it was constantly cloudy and windy and one day a few raindrops even appeared. We were constantly checking the weather forecast, but it was supposed to stay cloudy until the last day on this island. Fiji with clouds and Fiji without clouds and blue skies really are two different countries.

    Anyway, we did not let the clouds ruin our good mood as there were still quite a few cool things to do. While I did not go diving on this island, I went snorkeling every day and otherwise just relaxed on the beach, read my book, fooled around with the other travelers on a little floating platform in the water and, yeah, just had a good time despite the weather.

    The amazing thing about snorkeling I discovered here was that every time I went into the water, I discovered something new. Whether it was a new fish, a new coral or a new sea animal. I think this was the main reason why I constantly went back into the water day after day and always came out with a big smile. What also helped was the temperature of the water - anywhere between 22-26 degrees, which meant no wetsuit, no freezing, but simply enjoying the time in the water.

    During one of the evenings, the resort hosted one of the coolest activities yet - crab racing. The way it works is that every crab gets a number drawn on the top of its shell and then put into a bucket. Then the racing field gets drawn - mainly a big white circle around the bucket. Within that circle a few obstacles are placed. Once that is done, the bucket with the crabs inside gets flipped upside down, the host lifts the bucket and the crabs start running around. Whichever crab crosses the line of the circle first wins. Three rounds and only the first five crabs will make it to the next round. It was a very emotional, yet fun affair. My racey crab made it to the final and finished 2nd place, which meant I got a little bar tab voucher. The next morning, you could see some of the crab wandering around the beach with the numbers still visible on their shells.

    During the last morning on the island, I was watching Dortmund play Madrid in the Champions League Final on the beach and of course, the day I was leaving, the sun started to peek through. It truly is a different sight and the colour of the water turned into such an insane blue, it was simply stunning. Luckily, I was coming back to a nearby resort on the same island later on during my Fiji journey, so I would be able to enjoy the crazy blue water for a few days.    Read more

  • TravelerThe big time-out
    1
    13
    Day 113–115

    Fiji - Yasawa Islands: Oarsmans Bay

    April 29, 2024 in Fiji ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Dritter und nördlichster Stop entlang der Inselgruppe. Ein gediegenes Resort, an der Blue Lagoon gelegen, weitläufig und ruhig. Das Tagesprogramm war top. Schwimmen in ner Höhle, Riffschnorcheln, Kokosnuss-Bowling, Strandfeuer und Krabbenrennen 😄. Das Essen, ein Träumchen. Zudem endlich mal wieder eine "Bergwanderung" gemacht.Read more

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  • TravelerHalf around the world and back
    Day 103

    Making a beach basket

    February 17, 2020 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    The day started with our favorite breakfast - crepes with maple sirup. Yummy! After some digesting time it was time to try out our handcraft skills. We joined the free activity of basket weaving. We all got part of a coconut tree leaf, some very brief explanation - 'take every second one' - and there we went. We figured out the weaving part, but it was still a miracle on how to transform this flat part into a basket. Turns out it 'just' takes some braiding and a knife and there you go. Ready is your new beach basket. It wasn't all that simple though but with some help we got there. It was quite a lot of fun.

    With our new baskets we then made out way to two shaded sunbeds and went for some snorkeling again. We just don't get tired of it. This time we spotted some weird plants that looked like underwater versions of the land based meat eating plants. Sometimes it moved a bit as if it was breathing. We also spotted some interesting fish that looked like a mix of fish and jellyfish or so. We stayed in the water for quite long so when getting out we were really tired and ready for a nap. The night also gave us a great sunset sky.    Read more

  • TravelerHalf around the world and back
    Day 101

    Blue Lagoon

    February 15, 2020 in Fiji ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    After 3 nights we were going to leave the Barefoot Manta resort on Drawaqa Island. Despite the worsening weather we've grown to like it here, mainly because of the sincere kindness of the staff. We had a relaxed morning and one employee told us the story of Fiji, as a thank you for the beach cleaning the previous day. Then part of the staff performed a farewell song for us. They are really good here in putting lots of emotions in songs. We were taken to the Yasawa Flyer and then we went up north to Nacula Island.

    On arrival we were given a short briefing about the resort by the Australian owner and were taken to our dorm. No beach hut this time, but a simple airconditioned room. It was quite different here compared to the last resort. Airconditioning, a pool, proper huts with real walls, a beach bar with (loud) music etc. In a lot of way it's fancier here, including the food. But we grew to like the simplicity, quietness and especially the caring employees of the Barefoot Manta. To phrase it with the words of an Israeli we met: 'Here they told their employees to serve the guests. Back there they told them to host the guests.'

    After lunch we wanted to try snorkeling. Machiel realised at this point that his water shoes were still at Barefoot Manta. After a few visits to the reception, they managed to contact them and request them to be sent over with the next shipment of tourists the following day. The only thing we were missing was a confirmation that they were found, so we were far from sure this was going to work.

    Anyway, we borrowed an extra set of fins and went snorkeling. It was very much low tide which meant it was difficult to swim over the coral. Despite the limited options, we still saw quite some fishes. The coral however wasn't as nice as on the previous island. Less colorful and, if our limited knowledge is correct, also quite some dead or unhealthy coral. After a shower, we were tipped to walk up the hill behind the resort for sunset. We quickly put on our shoes and left, but unfortunately we were just a few minutes late. We enjoyed dinner talking to a US-Ukrainian couple, and further enjoyed the nice view.    Read more

  • TravelerJuju - WorldWideWeg
    122
    Day 62

    Plötzlich im Paradies

    November 3, 2019 in Fiji ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    O H. M E I N. G O T T. Wir haben das weder geplant noch erwartet. Doch wir sind einfach mal im absoluten Paradies gelandet, auf der absoluten Bilderbuch-Südseeinsel, einfach unglaublich 🥺🤯😍🤩

    Aber von vorn: 6 Uhr morgens packten wir schon wieder unsere Sachen und ab gings zum Hafen von Lautoka und dann mit der Fähre 3 Stunden nordwärts durch den Pazifik - vorbei an lauter kleinen und großen Inseln voller Berge und Palmen 😍 Ihr glaubts nicht, aber auf diesem verdammten kleinen Boot war ich (genau wie im Flieger) neben max. 25 anderen Gästen tatsächlich wieder nicht die einzige Deutsche... #WoKommenDieNurAlleHer 😅

    Vor der Inselgruppe Yassava stoppten wir und nun ging es für Maria und mich ganz privat weiter - unser neuer Gastvater Tua, Häuptlingssohn des Gunu Village und ein riesiger Hulk an Mann, holte uns höchstpersönlich mit 2 seiner Dorfkids in einem kleinen Holzboot ab. Im ersten Moment sehr beeindruckend, stellte sich Tua sehr schnell als der liebste und glücklichste Bär der Welt heraus, wir schlossen ihn sofort mächtig ins Herz 🥰🤗

    Gemeinsam fuhren wir auf ihre Insel zu - und uns eröffnete sich ein traumhaftes Bild: Ewig lange verlassene Sandstrände voller Palmen und Dschungel und darin ein winzig kleines einheimisches Dorf aus bunten Hütten. Wir stiegen aus und ich bereitete mich schon innerlich auf eine längere Wanderung vor, da trugen die Kids unsere Taschen schon in die erste blaue Hütte, ganz vorn am Strand. Sollte das tatsächlich unsere neue Unterkunft für die nächsten 3 Tage sein?? 🤯🤯 Ja, sie war es tatsächlich! Maria und ich waren komplett sprachlos 😂😍

    Das war aber auch okay, denn jetzt sprach erstmal Häuptlingssohn Tua! Er begrüßte uns ganz herzlich in seinem Dorf ("You are part of this village now!" ❤️) und erzählte uns, dass sie erst seit ca 1 Jahr Gäste in ihrem Dorf empfangen und vorher sehr ängstlich waren, wer da so kommen könnte, aber sie bisher zum Glück nur supergute Erfahrungen gemacht haben 😊💕 - So witzig zu hören, dass dieser große Mann tatsächlich Angst vor Gästen wie uns hatte - während uns sicherlich umgekehrt einige unserer eigenen einheimischen Leute für verrückt erklären, uns in so ein Inseldorf am Ende der Welt zu trauen. Spannend, wie sich die Sorgen gleichen - und wie sehr es sich immer wieder lohnt, diese zu überwinden!😊🙏

    Erneut wurden wir wieder von zahlreichen fröhlichen Kids und Hunden überrannt - schüttelten diese aber nach einer Weile erstmal ab, um den Strand mit dem weichsten Sand der Welt zu erkunden. Es ist einfach so wahnsinnig schön hier!! 🥺😍 Und das selbstgemachte Essen aus eigen angebauten Früchten wie Kasava (kartoffelähnlich), Aubergine, Ananas, Papaya uvm. schmeckt einfach himmlisch ❤️

    Wir entspannten noch etwas auf der Hängematte (die Leute hier würden sagen: Fiji-Time! Denn die Uhren laufen hier anders... Bzw gibt es gar keine Uhren... Alles läuft nach innerer Uhr und alles ganz relaxed 😌), dann zeigte uns Tua erstmal, wie man eine Kokosnuss mit einem angespitzten Eisenstab von seiner äußeren Schale befreit, die Nuss mit der Machete knackt und danach das Fruchtfleisch mit der Raspel entfernt 😎 Eine ziemlich mühselige und langwierige Angelegenheit... Zumindest für uns 😅🤪

    Abends spielten wir mit Tua und einer Horde Kids Mau-Mau nach Fiji-Art. Es ist so niedlich zu sehen, wie kinderlieb Tua ist - er albert und lacht wie ein kleiner Junge mit ihnen herum 🤭 Und generell lachen die Dorfbewohner hier extreeem viel, das ist mega schön 🥰 Egal wen oder wann man jemanden sieht, immerzu kommt einem ein strahlendes "Bula!!" ("Hallo!“ in Fijian) entgegen und ein Lächeln, was komplett aus dem Herzen kommt (überhaupt nicht Fake oder so etwas) ❤️

    Der Abend endete mit einem superleckeren Abendbrot und ein paar englischen und fijianischen Songs auf der Gitarre von Tua, gemeinsam mit den Kids Mimi und Natee 😊🎶
    Was für ein Tag! 🎁🌠    Read more

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