Bula from Fiji

10 days of salty hair, sandy feet and many naps under coconut trees. 📷: Kymberley O’Neill

I made it to 29-years-old before taking my first holiday to Fiji. As a matter of fact, I’ve made it to 29 without even taking a ‘holiday’. Every trip to date has been en-route to a new chapter, a relocation for study or for work.

The first morning of our Fijian holiday was spent taking a lesson in the local language, building the now foundation of our strong language abilities. We’ve since remembered the all important ‘Bula‘ (hello), which I’m sure everyone catches on with the moment the step off the plane as it’s something that is said and repeated (sometimes twice or more) every time you cross paths with another. ‘Vinaka‘ (thank you), and of course ‘Kerekere dua tale‘ (one more please). Although the official language of Fiji is English, learning a few words here and there to use along the way, in my eyes, always adds to the experience, connects you more with your surroundings, and adds to the memories.

Our stumble across Heniuwa became the holiday highlight. 📷:Kymberley O’Neill.

The following day, we ventured outside the compounds of the resort into the real Fiji. The closest village to us was Tagaqe and just so happened to have one of the best restaurants on the Coral Coast, possibly even the whole of Fiji as the table next to us had just driven all the way from Nadi. Taking in the spectacular views of the Coral Coast from Heniuwa while enjoying, easily the freshest and most satisfying meal and homemade ‘bush’ lemonade we will ever have, was certainly a highlight. From Coral Coast to plate.

Most days were spent playing hide and seek with the fish, though admittedly we were always the ones left seeking. 📷: Kymberley O’Neill

In the turquoise waters around the stunning South Pacific archipelago we were mesmerised but the abundance of life, Clown fish aggressively protecting their anemones , Trigger fish feeding on coral, Damselfish ducking in and out of their hiding spots. We also spotted Butterfly Fish, Angelfish and Moorish Idols. A lobster tucked away and a sizeable Blacktip Reef Shark. It didn’t matter whether we were on the Coral Coast or in the Mamanuca Islands where ever we were the waters were full of life.

Fiji has worked its way into a very special place in our travel log. The people are warm and welcoming, the ocean is vibrant and captivating, and life on island time is something we all need to follow every now and then.

If you would like to know more about our trip, or would like to share you experiences too please leave me a comment. Likewise if you are planning to book a holiday to Fiji in the near future please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Have you really travelled Australia?

Unknown to most travellers Yulara, home to Uluru, has more than just one monolith. Photo Credit: Georgie Sharp

Australian’s love to travel. Sometimes we travel over an hour just to get to work or school. On weekends we may travel a little further to visit a beach or take a walk in the bush. Other times we’ll fly all the way to Bali to visit the beach or do some yoga.

Earlier this year in February, a tourism ad starring Chris Hemsworth invited Americans (and the rest of the world) to come explore ’37 miles of pristine beautiful beaches’ and drink some of the ‘finest wines in the world’. Where else in the world can you find 60 kilometres of beach? More recently, Luke Hemsworth, the original Hemsworth, starred in his own version.

Statistically speaking, the videos worked. International visitor numbers’ were up 8% in the last report. Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the reaction was ‘huge’, with video views over 100 million. One exceptionally lucky backpacker even got Chris Hemsworth himself to guide him from the airport to Byron Bay.

It’s great that international visitors are experiencing the beauty of our country except, I know more Australians who have been to Bali than the Great Barrier Reef. More Queenslanders who’ve been to the Grand Canyon but not Kings Canyon. Even Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went to Dubbo. Have you ever been to Dubbo? I have, it’s fantastic. Where else would I have hand feed a Giraffe a carrot?

I think it’s time we swapped the exy cattle class seats to ride shotgun through our own country. Just imagine no jet lag, and you can stop anytime you like. Which means no lengthy hangs in airports, just spectacular views.

Would you consider leaving your passport at home? Where’s your next holiday?

Boracay reborn

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Willy’s Rock will once again become the subject of all budding tourist’s cameras very soon.

Some of you may be familiar with the island paradise already, others may be thinking where’s Boracay?. The last you may have heard was when it was awarded the title, Best Asian Beach in 2013, or maybe it was a little more recently when Republic of the Philippines President, Rodrigo Duterte, labelled it a cesspool.

Earlier this year in April, Mr Duterte gave Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu just six months to clean up the island. The ever increasing number of visitors to the archipelago, in particular to Boracay, had finally taken its toll. Or more to the point, raw sewerage had been uncovered in the paradises’ pristine waters.

Four months into the travel ban, tourists were left wondering how it was going while other popular destinations like Maya Bay, famous for playing the role of the set on The Beach had followed suit. Despite officials saying they will be ready, more recent pictures of road construction on the island lead us to believe Boracay needs a little more time. While fellow band-wagoner, Maya Bay, has since decided to close indefinitely, island buddy Boracay on the other-hand will go ahead and re-open to tourists world wide as of next Friday, October 26.

With Boracay reborn, comes renewed dos and dont’s. Some including guests to carry reservation slips just to enter the island as well as refraining from eating, drinking smoking and diving. Do you think Boracay is ready for onslaught of tourists again, or would it be better off following the latest trend setter, Maya Bay, and closing indefinitely too?