Fiji

We visited Fiji for my mother’s 70th birthday and it was a trip of a life time!!!!  I would say what stands out most about Fiji is the snorkeling, you feel like you are in an exotic fish tank! From Kuala Lumpur, it was nice to fly to Sydney(8 hour flight)–spend a few days in Sydney and then head to Fiji which was only 4 hour flight from there.  The stop over on both ends made the trek easier coming from Souteast Asia.  Coming from Los Angeles, there is a direct flight to Fiji which takes about 11/12 hours.  You fly into the Nadi Airport and there isn’t much in Nadi, so most people take a boat to one of the surrounding islands.   What I loved about Fiji is that it isn’t your typical beach vacation, there is so much culture here to explore!  We went to Malolo Island, which takes about 90 minutes by boat, and stayed at the Malolo Island Resort.  We loved this place, there are beach front bures  (bungalows) that are spacious, modern and bright:  http://maloloisland.com/    There are so many activities at the resort:

*Free kids camp for 4-12 year olds

*Water sports (kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, scuba and snorkeling–the kids enjoyed the banana boat!)

*Nightly Torch lighting ceremony along with a nightly happy hour at the beach bar. At the happy hour you can try the famous Cava — will make your head spin…..

*Island hopping: This was one of our favorites things to do in Fiji.  We visited Castaway wall, Malolo sand bar and Honeymoon island.

*Surf trips to Tavarua, Nomotu and Frigales (my husband and brother did this and said it was “Epic”).

*Solevu school and village excursion- The kids really enjoyed visiting a local school and seeing the kids in their element.  The head master of  the school gave us a tour and explanaition on the academic system in Fiji (you are able to give donations at the end of the tour).  We also visited a clinic where “Doctors without Borders” were set up for a temporary dental clinic.

*Fijian dance show at the end of the week