Cyclone Gene Interupts Fiji Trip
I have heard that Fiji is an amazing place to experience but I don’t think that anyone was referring to experiencing a cyclone! I arrived in Nadi (large airport/city for international flights) at 5:30 am on Monday, January 28th, and by 5:30 am on Tuesday we were at the start of Cyclone Gene. Cyclone Gene created havoc across Fiji and caused widespread blackouts and flooding after it hit and strengthened to a category two storm. The main city of Nadi was under 5 feet of water.
Fortunately, I was at the Sofitel Resort on Denarau Island, which has a generator for electricity. Squalls of rain hit the island of Viti Lavu for over 5 days keeping me grounded in this hotel. I didn’t realize how hard hit the island was until I was able to venture out to another hotel. On the ride there I could see uprooted trees, flooded roads and water marks 4 feet high on some homes.
There are more than 300 islands that play host to endless days of snorkeling in crystal seas, surfing on some of the world's most formidable waves, sunning on secluded beaches, trekking through lush rainforests, and more. Viti Levu, literally 'Great Fiji,' is the largest island.
How does a hotel keep their guest safe and entertained while a stubborn cyclone just keeps hanging around? I am now an expert a tying sulus (sarongs), singing Fijian songs and getting spa treatments! The hotel also ran movies in the ballroom for the kids, had basket weaving classes and offered more spa treatments!
This was my first experience with the laid back, unworried Fijian attitude. No one panicked or seem overly concerned. The Fijian culture is lively and colorful, and the source of the islands' friendly and inviting atmosphere. I asked the staff if they needed to get home but most of them couldn’t get past Nadi even if they wanted. They were not too concerned about their families because they knew that the village would help each other through this event.
Fijians are the most friendly, soft spoken, generous people I have ever met. In fact to speak loudly in their culture is to be rude. Fijians don’t “steal” from anyone, they just “borrow”. At times I had to strain to hear what the store clerk was saying to me. But everyone I saw would greet me with a beautiful smile and a hardy “bula”.
When the weather let up I was able to visit the Coral Coast of the main island of Viti Levu and visit Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji. It is a South Pacific dream created in an enchanting 40-acre garden on the Coral Coast of the main island. The spa perched atop mountain at the waters edge, allows majestic views of both the island and the gorgeous ocean below.
It wasn’t until my final 3 days that the ocean calmed enough to visit Tokoriki Resort in the Mamanuca islands. I didn’t understand why we couldn’t make it to the outer islands after the cyclone had passed until I actually got on the ferry to go to the resort. Having been to Tahiti several times, I expected the experience of getting to the outer islands to be the same; Take a plane to the island and a boat to the pier.
But Fiji is not that developed which is a part of the uniqueness of these South Pacific islands. I didn’t realize that the ferry actually just stops in the water outside the lagoon of your island resort. The resort then sends a motorboat to meet you and your luggage at the ferry. If the water is ripped with wild waves there is no way you could step from one boat to the other. Once you are on the motorboat they head towards the island, beaching the boat. You then step out into the water and walk ashore to the harmonious and beautiful voices of Fijian singers welcoming you to their home.
The 3 days at Tokoriki, a small, intimate resort with only 29 bures, allowed me to decompress from the stress of a cyclone and an American life style. The bures were romantic and large. The staff was friendly and learned my name within a day. Kava ceremonies, snorkeling and visits to a native village can all be experienced here. I was even privy to the beautiful wedding of a couple from England. All of the guests and staff took part in this fantastic event.
I will be returning to Fiji in April. I want to visit these friendly natives of an easy life style. I want to experience the warm sun and more impressive, the warm hearts of the Fijians. Beside that, I want to visit outside the cyclone season!
Ellen Keralla at Special Occasion Travel
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