“Bula” is the greeting as we arrive at the airport, from the taxi driver, from the ferry crew to the island, from the singing staff as we step off the ferry on to Plantation Island ….. Come mid week we are Bula’ed out …. But it is all very nice meaning that everyone says ” hello’

We have eight nights at the Plantation Island Resort and it is immediately evident when we arrive that this hotel has been mis-booked. Think Torremolinos in the summer season. 

This is a family island resort during OZ/NZ half term and it’s loaded with families and their kids, parents and grandparents. We find ourselves tired and disappointed on arrival but as you do, you adapt and after a couple of days we work out what time to get to breakfast, grab a dip in the pool during Kids Club and before the teenagers are out of bed etc etc.

There really is no village life on this Island just three resorts. We hire some bikes which gets us out and able to view the the other hotels, all of which look better suited. We get told off for riding our bike to close the ‘couples only pool’ when surveying their hotel, ha ha.

In the end you just have to remember you are in Fiji and it’s time to relax, so we are soon in a chill zone, hammocks are great for that as well as by the Fuji bitter. Fijian’s are lovely people it’s a shame we have not seen more of local life. We have an overnight stay on the mainland when we leave so that may provide another picture.

Sunday evening was a highlight, Kaylene was chatting to Julie in the pool and recommended the yacht Club Island Bar (fabulous cocktails) so, along with Kaylene’s partner Stuart we all ended up at the bar for sunset. 

This is followed by the best meal of the week (the Fijian’s know how to cook their fish!) and then, a general nightcap(s) sing-a-long with the resident band (lead by the hotel manager) and a friendly Australian netball team!

Monday morning brings surprisingly, no hang-overs but a grey day. A shower or two before the sun comes out and it’s hammock time. By mid afternoon the wind is up and the branches and coconuts are flying off the trees so, it’s worth looking up.

Wednesday arrives and we are back on the catamaran heading for the Nadi on the mainland for our early morning flight the next day. Our cab journey from the dock to the hotel takes an hour so we get our glimpse of life on the main island. 

Lovely people, lovely islands (it’s just a different hotel next time) Hong Kong is our next stop and we are on the way home. 

Pete & Jules