Wow, what an incredible 10 days in paradise! I know I know I’m pretty lucky and fortunate to say I’ve experienced the beautiful lifestyle in Fiji. It is a place to see at least once in your lifetime!

Here is a little about Fiji and my adventure around the islands:

Fiji is a tropical oasis located in the Southeast Pacific Ocean- near New Zealand/Australia. It is known for its weathered landscapes, palmed beaches, coral reefs, and clear lagoons. We flew into the main island of Fiji (Viti Levu), and the flight took about 11 hours- not too bad but jet lag kicked in. Also, be prepared to adopt FIJI TIME! Fijians are never in a hurry as everything goes a little slower here. With that said, I was in no rush on this trip :)

VITI LEVU

The first place we stayed at was First Landing Beach Resort and Villas. Away from the touristy places- it was a very quiet, peaceful quaint resort right on the water. The staff was very friendly, even greeting us by saying “BULA!”

You will see/ hear this saying a lot in Fiji. It literally means LIFE, and is used as a greeting, implying wishes for continued good health.

The view of the hotel right before sunset. Absolutely beautiful!

The sunsets here were absolutely breathtaking! The views and colors- Fiji has dreamlike sunsets you must see!

Navala Village

One of the most rewarding experiences was having the opportunity to travel to a fully traditional village in Fiji called Navala Village. I took about one hour drive from Viti Levu and I could not believe how green and luscious the landscape was! It is located across a river which often floods, which is the main reason why it is so isolated from other towns. The experience was so heartwarming- having a private couple of hours with a family in the village. The people in Fiji are the happiest and most humble people I have encountered in my lifetime.

The locals of Navala Village made us their traditional foods which included noodles and rice- and also tried Kava which is a plant native to the Pacific islands. First, you grind up the root into a paste, then mix it with water and strain. This drink is traditionally used during rituals and social gatherings.

They also walked us around the village as we toured the school, the church and a few Bures (thatched huts supported by centered poles). These Bures are all equal in size which is why the village is so special- it shows Navalas equality. Also, the best part was meeting Keleto- the cutest little boy with the biggest smile. He just wanted to follow us around and was so intrigued about our lives. We let him hold and play with our GoPro and he was so amazed. Navala village puts life into perspective. They live life so minimal with limited access to resources and yet they are the happiest people. I just loved being around these kind-hearted souls and experiencing the pure Fijian culture.

Kava ceremony inside a Bure and the smiling little boy is Keleto.

Taking in this incredible scenery at Navala Village

Everyone was very welcoming at Navala Village. We were given a tour around showing us the school and church.

Inside the classroom- thought this was super cute seeing all the birthdays of the kids in the village.

Local Market

One of my favorite things to do is visit a local market wherever I go. It is a great way to see everyday life and also connect with the community and support local farmers. We went to one in Nadi, and it was HUGE! it was sectioned off by produce, meats/fish, and kava.

Had some delicious pineapple here! SO GOOD

Mamanuca

Islands

If you are only in Fiji for a short amount of time and are just needing a destination to relax, lounge, and take in incredible views, I recommend heading to one of the resorts on the Mamanucas islands. Fun Fact: one of the islands was featured in the movie Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks!

We ended the trip on Malolo Lailai Island which is a part of the Mamanucas Islands. We took a boat out there from Denarau Island (Viti Levu) and it was stunning! The weather was so awesome, the views were insane- so blessed!

On this island, we stayed at Lomani Resort. It is a tranquil, romantic atmosphere- ideal for seeking total relaxation. This is also an adult-only resort- perfect for those couples celebrating a special occasion (anniversary, honeymoon, etc). The rooms consist of different style suites and ours had a private outdoor shower!

I can’t tell you enough how crystal clear these waters are. You’ll only be able to see these coral reefs and clear waters as you head out to those islands. This is where we did fun activities like biking, snorkeling, paddle boarding and went out on a sand bar in the middle of the ocean!

How gorgeous is this view on Malolo Lailai Island!? The hut in the back was a tiki hut bar surrounded by the beautiful water.

Our private villa at Lomani Resort. The private outdoor shower was my fav!

Snorkeling

I have snorkeled a few places but this is one of the best in the world! Fiji is a goldmine for coral reefs because of the nutrient rich waters and passing currents. Therefore you can just imagine snorkeling seeing colorful coral reef life- doesn’t get much better than this!

The coral reefs are everything you imagine and more

Underwater adventure. This shot was taken with my GoPro. Look how clear the water is!

Just being a mermaid in my natural habitat :)

Paddle Board

Another fun activity was paddle boarding. As you come closer Malolo Lailai Island, there is a big lagoon where you can swim and paddle board! It was a nice way to get out on the water as it was so calm and peaceful.

Sand Bar

We made our way out to a sand bar in the middle of the ocean! So crazy to think you are walking through shallow water. It was great to hang out here and soak it all in. 360-degree views of open ocean waters.