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KORO SUN
The Koro Sun
is the place for those on a budget, or looking for adventure. This resort will always hold a special place in my heart, for two reasons: It was the first Fijian resort I ever slept in, and because they employ Dick, their adventure tour guide. He is one of the coolest guys I’ve ever met, and is probably the best adventure guide in Fiji. Dick takes guests on hikes through jungles to incredible waterfalls. He teaches you how to catch crawfish with a reed, goes canoeing around a salt lake, brings you to a place where you can swim with wild dolphins, and leads a mellow mountain bike ride to a village. A slew of other activities throughout the 150-acre resort keeps anyone less adventurous busy too, including Ping-Pong, billiards, tennis, volleyball, golf, hiking, and swimming in two pools (one for adults, the other – with a water slide -- for kids). Neither pool is impressive, but they are refreshing.
GOLF
The Koro Sun currently has the only golf
course on Vanua Levu. Guests can play rounds on their 9-hole par-3 course, and get free lessons from the golf pro, Vijay. I should have taken him up on those lessons, because when we
played he kicked my butt silly. The golf course is an adventure itself: lots of ruts, high grass, and more frogs than you get shake a club at. Guests don't come here to play golf, of course; it's just an added bonus, and brings a great feel to the property.
BURES
The Koro Sun
has 18 bures (Fijian thatched bungalows). Some
have been remodeled, while others are still waiting to be. Guests can choose from either 1- or 2-bedroom bures; each offers indoor and outdoor showers. The five hillside bures
have screened-in patios, with awesome views of the Koro Sea. I could sit out there all day, just writing or reading. The eight garden bures are so quaint, with white picket fences around private yards. In the past year the resort has added a honeymoon bure. It
features a
heart-shaped king bed, and an outdoor plunge pool. But the place to stay at this resort is the Grand Villa. The locals know it as "Jack’s place" – Jack Young is the owner, and an internationally renowned architect. When Jack is not in town, guests can stay in this phat 3-bedroom, 5,000-square foot, two-level house. Its Fijian name, Na Vale O, translates to "the house in the clouds." That’s apt, because it sits at the very top of the resort property. It’s probably 1,000 feet high, and the views
are incredible. Guests can have a lot of fun entertaining, or swimming from the main building to the master bedroom suite – plus they’ve got total privacy.
BURE TIP
No matter where you stay, here's a bure tip: Because Savusavu is in the tropics, bugs are part of daily life. So don't leave the front door open; never leave food out, and throw away the fresh flowers that maids leave on the bed and sink (the flowers attract ants). Rates start at $260 a night, and all meals are included. Koro Sun Resort: 877-567-6786; email: res@korosunresort.com.
RAINFOREST SPA
No stay at the Koro Sun Resort would be complete without getting a massage in their rainforest spa. Just walking up to the spa is a treat in itself, because you take a colorful path lined with fruit trees and plants. I booked a Swedish massage for my dad, and he loved it. He couldn’t stop talking about how he was in a covered, screened-in bure
right next to a trickling river. Talk about relaxing! And it’s not over-priced – a 1-hour massage costs $60 USD. The Rainforest Spa is 100% natural, from the sound effects to the local ingredients (papaya, pineapple, pure virgin coconut oil, sea salt, Fijian cane sugar, seaweed, local nuts, star fruit, leaves from the banana and ti plants) that are used in wraps, scrubs, facials and signature massages. For more in-depth details, read about my previous stays at Koro Sun under "web resources."
SOUTH PACIFIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
The reason we were in Fiji was to attend the 2nd Annual South Pacific World Music Festival. It’s a 4-day event, and each night the bands performed at one of the host properties (Koro Sun, Namale, Cousteau and Hot Springs Hotel). The entertainers
come from all over Fiji; one was from the nearby nation of New Caldonia. Words are too difficult to describe what it was like, and I know video won’t do it justice, but here is a quick 2-minute clip of snippets from each night. I put it together to give you an idea of the wide array of music, and vastly different performers. BTW: The host of the festival (just like last year) was Laisa Vulakoro. One of Fiji’s most famous singers, she has recorded 14 albums and performed all over the world.
NEXT WEEK Next week we check in to Anthony Robbins’ Namale resort. Wait until you see this fantasy escape! Then find out if we make our way back to the U.S. as planned, or buy last-minute tickets and travel to another country my dad has always wanted to go to. (I’m putting my money on the latter.)
Happy Travels,
Johnny Jet
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SOME READER AIR-eMAIL
Ohmigosh. This is a wonderful article. I love Johnny Jet. I just traveled to Fiji for my honeymoon in September, and I already am dying to go back. I completely agree with everything he says about the country and how magical it is. The people there are unbelievable. They really do change your life. Thank you so much for this article. He really described the essence of Fiji. Erin Frazee - Colorado, USA
s
This is our first issue of your newsletter and we were enthralled, not only by the stories, but the pictures. We're enjoying Fiji vicariously in Cornwall, Pennsylvania. Keep up the good work. Jeannie & Barry Free - Cornwall, Pennsylvania
I was just reading about your trip to Fiji with your Dad - so wonderful. When's the best time to go to Fiji? I'm thinking about a trip next year and I've always wanted to go there. Tiffany T - Jackson Hole, WY. REPLY: It's always a good time to go to Fiji. However, the dry season is May-October and it's a bit cooler.
I am ready to pack my bags...Oh, to be younger and have more time to travel the world. Even though I will never be able to take this adventure...I love reading about it. Thanks! JB - Richardson, TX
I like the new website design. Easy to navigate. A few months ago it was running very slow, but now it's quite fast. I don't know whether the increase in speed has anything to do with the new design or not. Keep up the good work! Oliver W - West Hollywood, CA
Again enjoyed your reporting on the trip with your dad. The photos of the island and resort are spectacular. Some day!! Some day my wife and I plan to experience Fiji. Gary Spaeth - Ballwin, Mo
Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy Johnny Jet's articles. Especially nice are the links to photos within the text. My husband and I will be going to Moody's Namena Resort in Fiji this October and will be flying through Savusavu. We are AVID snorkelers, anything Johnny can do on snorkeling would be fantastic. We need him to go to French Polynesia with an emphasis on the snorkeling! Thank you! Sue Williams - Redmond, Oregon
Wonderful! Gerry S –
Great article - just missing a key component, price of a stay in Cousteau Resort? REPLY: You are right! I forgot to add the prices! Click here for them.
LOVE YOUR NEWSLETTER. It is so upbeat and informative! Enid L - Palm Beach County
Thanks so much. As always, I love the travel tales. I am sitting here in the gray US northeast and I can almost feel the Fiji breeze.
Cheers, Lynn M - Hershey, Pennsylvania
What a great summary of our great trip to Fiji. In fact, I am printing it our and putting it in my "travel" diary. You are a great writer and have quite a knack for describing things (guess that's how you got your
job, eh?). Lori J – Central Oregon
I love the article! I was in Fiji a couple of years ago and just loved it. I'd like to know how to go about getting the bird of paradise plant with the PEACH colored blooms here in the U S A. I'm sure that with your connections and the Fijians good will you may be able to find out. You helped bring back many good memories. Thanks. As Always, Mickey E-
I read your latest report on Fiji an enjoyed it very much (as always!). However, one sentence caught my attention: 'The Swiss are known for their punctuality, not for their super-friendliness'.... If that is your honest opinion it is high time to correct this! I travel a great deal, professionally and for pleasure (my e-mail address might be a hint!) and therefore am familiar with a plenty of other countries and their cultures. The Swiss might not offer the 'same friendliness as the Fijians or many other people and cultures around the world; but then 'friendly' is always a matter of definition. I agree with you that what the Swiss families behaviour (stay away from everybody else) is very strange indeed, but I think there must have been a completely logical reason for that. Nobody - and I am quite certain of that - who travels around the world for ONE YEAR and does not want to get in contact with other cultures must be completely bunkers. The Swiss, I agree with you on that, are what you might call a bit 'reserved' and certainly not as outgoing as Americans - but then so are the Irish, the German, the Swedes, the Norwegians and not to forget the French, etc... This is often mistaken as unfriendliness, but that is definitely not what it is. I lived in Canada for 7 years (my wife is Canadian) and travelled around the US a great deal (all lower 48 states plus Alaska). Most Americans are friendly, open minded people. However, the image of the US has been damaged considerably over the past years and most people here in Europe are convinced that American are all arrogant and not all that smart. I have great deal of difficulties to convince them that this is by no means true and I always suggest that they go and see for themselves! But then I think words are possibly not enough to convince anybody that the Swiss are not generally unfriendly or Americans are not all arrogant. So next time when you visit Switzerland let me know and I'll make sure that you meet many friendly Swiss. Not in Zermatt or any other Swiss Heidiland destination, but in the 'real' Switzerland, without cows, cheese, chocolate, cuckoo clocks (they are form Bavaria anyway) and other kitsch! I looking forward to your next report and wish you happy trails! Erich Witschi - Bern, Switzerland. REPLY: Thanks Erich for the email. I knew I was going to catch some flak for that generalization (I deserve it). You are correct – a better word would’ve been “reserved”. Hope to take you up on your offer one day.
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