18 days in Fiji (#11) Robinson Crusoe Island tour

Bula! Hello and welcome to my series on Fiji. This is the 11th post and it's going to be about the last of the five full day cruises that we went on during our 18 days in Fiji.

I hope that what I share will be helpful to you in making wiser choices for a smoother more enjoyable vacation and helpful in getting better value for your bucks.

Visit to Vusama Village
 (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Robinson Crusoe Island Combo Tour 

We had not actually planned to go on this tour. But because I had won a dance competition at the resort that we were staying at which gave us a good discount, we decided to splurge on this tour for the rest of the family.

And boy! I'm glad we did because it was jam packed with cultural sights and experiences plus a good feed. This tour is actually a combination of their day and night tour.

First off, we were picked up from our resort on Denarau Island and taken to the jetty meeting point some 30 minutes drive away.

Boat ride
 (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We then went by two boats to Vusama Village. This is a genuine living and breathing Fijian village. As such we had to respect their customs. Women were instructed to wear clothes that covered their shoulders and skirts that extended to their knees. A long sarong was acceptable.

The village was organised around a central field with homes built around its edges.

A home on Vusama Village
 (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We were welcomed to the village with singing and taken to their community hall where we were welcomed with a kava ceremony.

Welcome in song by village women
  (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Preparing the kava for the ceremony
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

This was followed by a tour of the village including a visit to their Methodist church that was built with money from the sale of coconuts by the villagers. This had taken them several years to achieve.

At the Methodist church
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We were shown the chief's home where we met in the 'meeting lounge'. There our guide told us many interesting things about their village and answered our questions. And yes, they do have TV and internet in the village.

The chief's burre 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

After that we were given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs at a reasonable price.

Local handicrafts and carvings for sale 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Fresh coconuts were also available for sale. After this lady expertly opened a coconut, the young boy in the green t-shirt had a go at opening one too. He was not as proficient as the lady, but his elders encouraged him to have a go. There is only one way to master a skill.

This is the way to cut a coconut
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Freshness epitomised 
(Photo by Maria and copyright Maria Ngo)

When that part of the tour was completed we were led back to the river bank. There the staff hauled up some mud crabs that would form part of our 'afternoon tea' before we took another boat ride, this time to Robinson Crusoe Island.

The welcoming party to Robinson Crusoe Island 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Welcome to Robinson Crusoe Island 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Robinson Crusoe island is about 25 acres. By the time we arrive, it's time for lunch.

Instructions and welcome to the island 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A well catered buffet lunch 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Lunch was buffet style with plenty to choose from with a range of vegetables, meat and fish and fruit. Tea and coffee is free flowing while water, soft drinks and other alcoholic beverages have to be purchased. If you are like us, if we had known that fresh water was not included, we would have brought our own supply.

No complaints here 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Staying healthy with tropical fruit 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Over lunch we were entertained to a Fijian meke (cultural dances and performance).

A Fijian meke 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A slow meke 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

For those who want to go snorkelling, there is a short boat ride involved to get to where the coral and fish are. You won't see much from the beach but sea weed and some not very colourful fish.

Kayaks are available for you to use any time you like.

In the afternoon there was a hermit crab race and medicine walk.

A medicine walk is basically a guided walk of plants with medicinal properties that the locals have relied on for generations to treat ulcers, tooth aches, cuts, wounds, insect bites, coughs etc. Some of these are taken from the bark and others from the leaves, fruit or root. Sometimes the remedy is drunk and other times it is applied like a poultice.

Local eye infection treatment 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We did visit an ancient pottery site but unfortunately for us, that day was the potter's day off, so we didn't see that.

While all that was going on, the staff was busy cooking up the mud crab as well as preparing our lovo feast. It was the most beautifully flavoured curried crab - I think she'd have given the contestants on Master Chef a good run for their money.

Mud crab curry cooked over hot coals with fresh ingredients 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Served in a coconut husk 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

For those who wish to purchase more souvenirs, you can do so around this time. With hindsight, I should have purchased a dolphin or shark carving then. It was beautifully crafted and quite a reasonable price. But then I might have had to bring another bag with me.

Local carvings 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A little before dinner time we were treated to a fire walk and the opening of the lovo feast.

A lovo 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Uncovering the lovo  
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Walking on hot coals 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The hot coals 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The lovo is like a New Zealand hangi where the food is cooked in a pit oven in the ground with super heated stones. The food that evening all had a smoky flavour.

A delicious Fijian dinner 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The evening party joins us just before dinner and is welcomed like us with singing to the island and followed by a kava ceremony.

The evening party joins us 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

There is another high energy meke in the evening followed by spectacular fire dancing.

Evening performance 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

High energy evening performance 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The hut housing the toilet and showers are kept very clean and continuously being swept up. If you are here for the full day, you might like to consider bringing some toiletries and a towel with you for the shower if you like freshening up before dinner.

The shower block 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

After the entertainment we return the way we came. The river cruise in the day time is rather different at night in the rain. It added to our sense of adventure and we arrive safely at the jetty we departed from earlier in the morning.

We are taken back to our accommodation in comfortable coaches - tired, happy and most satisfied with the many memories and experiences that we'd acquired.

I was most impressed with the hard working cheerful talented and energetic staff who had looked after and entertained us so well the whole day.

If I had to rate the tour, I would have given it a 5 out of 5 stars. We contributed to their staff appreciation fund quite willingly. They more than deserved it.

I felt at the end of this tour that I had fully experienced a kava ceremony (two in fact) and was full bottle with Fijian cultural performances.

Tips and advice 

So, if you get an opportunity to participate in their dance competition at your resort, I'd encourage you to do so. You never know if you might just win a prize for a discounted tour ticket. (I was glad for all the zumba classes that I'd been taking!)

This combo tour is rather full on - if you want to participate in all that they have to offer. But if you just want to chill out in the hammock or rest in the shade all afternoon, that's also an alternative.

Swinging on a hammock
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Shaded lounges by the beach  
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

If you intend to stay hydrated, consider bringing some bottled water with you (although there is tea/coffee running all day). Sun screen and insect repellant is always recommended but we didn't see or hear any mosquitoes the whole time we were there.

As mentioned, there are shower facilities. Bring what you need to be comfortable.

Speaking of comfortable, I was glad I had thought to pack a raincoat. This came in useful on our return trip. December is known for its tropical thunderstorms. And in fact, it also rained in the afternoon - almost right after the curried crabs were served.

This cruise only operates on two days of the week. This was one cruise that we had not considered while we were home so we had not booked it earlier. Knowing what I know now, I'd have checked the on-line cost before departing.

If you're not in the habit of tucking a spoon into your day bag, if you plan to purchase a fresh coconut, bring a spoon.

Our cheeky medicine walk guide cum performer 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Thank you and vinaka for reading. Next post will be about our time on Mantaray Island Resort. I hope you'll join me there.

Vinaka!(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

18 days in Fiji (#9) Cruising with Freewind Sailing Adventures

Bula! Hello and welcome to my series on Fiji.

Before my trip I had many questions. After 18 days in Fiji (with five day cruises and four nights on an island resort) I felt quite equipped to answer a few of these questions. So, here I am, sharing with you my discoveries in the hope that you will have a more enjoyable holiday and be able to make wise decisions that will help you make the most of your time there.
 So now, onwards and forwards to the topic of day cruises.

During those 18 days, we had the opportunity to go on five different day cruises which stopped off at four different islands plus one that we didn't actually land on. Three of these were quite similar, the fourth was almost like a private charter, while the fifth was little bit more 'action packed'.

So, today, I'll talk briefly about the 'private charter' day cruise.

Skipper Ron 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Cruising with Freewind Sailing Adventures 

The first day cruise we embarked on was with Freewind Sailing Adventures. This was a cruise we had pre-booked before leaving Australia. Like many other Fijian cruises with an online presence, booking any cruise is simple and straightforward.

Ron and Joyti are the entrepreneurial couple who operate this 46 foot sailing vessel that can take 15 people for day excursions or 4 for overnight or longer. They usually sail the waters of Savu Savu Bay but also do customised trips to suit their clients.

With Ron and Joyti 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

We met Ron near the jetty of Port Denarau. The Freewind is anchored a little off-shore from the jetty so we take a small dinghy to get on it. When we were all safely boarded, we set sail in a generally westwards direction towards Malolo Island after navigating through the port area.

Freewind 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Charting a course for the island 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

We were served tea and biscuits while we enjoyed the sea breezes and looked forward to plunging into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. For this trip it was just us (a family of four) and a European traveller. We stopped short of the island and dropped anchor after slightly more than an hour of sailing.

In the cockpit 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

You can change below deck, but as I suffer from sea sickness quite badly, I make it a point to never go below deck or into confined spaces on a small boat - I have learnt my lesson the hard way. So I was already dressed in my swimming gear and it took no time at all to put on my snorkel.

Ready for the plunge 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

One by one we jumped into the water to explore the coral reef with its marine inhabitants. Perhaps my expectations had been set rather high by colourful images of Fijian waters and marine life, but, for comparison's sake, it wasn't anything like the Great Barrier Reef or Malaysia's Tioman Island (of years ago) but it wasn't bad either (that's the Aussie understatement at work here). I was also rather distracted by my first encounter with sea lice.

Nevertheless, the water was clear and the fish was plentiful and colourful. My son had a ball and you could not drag him back on board. That was one of the reasons we didn't make it to the island. As our focus was on snorkelling rather than kayaking or sun tanning on the beach, we didn't mind skipping that part of the trip.

Having a yarn on board with fellow passengers 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Lunch was beautifully prepared by Joyti and comprised of a tasty meat and salad roll. This was later followed with home baked chocolate cake and more tea.

On the journey back, we encountered rain. It was after all December which is when you can expect tropical thunderstorms in the late afternoon, which after a heavy downpour, generally clears up for the evening. Just as well I was still in my swimming gear as there isn't much shelter if you want to stay in the cockpit. You can always go below deck if you want to stay perfectly dry. The five of us decided that we preferred the cockpit.

Sailing back into port 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

View of Port Denarau from the boat 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

By the time we arrived back in Port Denarau, the weather had cleared. The Fijian Christmas trees are in bloom from November to January usually and put out a colourful display in the shopping mall.

Dining options in Port Denarau with Fijian Christmas Tree in the foreground 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Dining in Port Denarau 

As it was already getting on in the day, we decided that dinner in Port Denarau would be a good option. After spraying on the prerequisite insect repellant for dining out in the evening by the waters, we check out the place. There is quite a selection to choose from. We decided in this instance to go Indian and also enjoy the water views.

Dining by the water 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

There was a free fire dancing and musical performance in the centre of the shopping mall while we were having dinner. We couldn't see the show from the restaurant so it was a case of catching what we could or letting the food get cold. We did a little bit of both (!).

Fire dancing 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

If you are planning to do dinner in Port Denarau at this time of year and you also enjoy cultural performances, I'd suggest that you time it better than we did. The performance was of a decent length and well worth watching.

Dinner is served 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Catching a taxi back to our resort was a simple matter. Even at that late hour, the taxis were still operating and at the taxi stand, we were directed to a waiting taxi by one of the friendly Fijians dressed in a similar garb to those we had seen earlier in the day manning the taxi area. We had no problems returning to Denarau Island for less than FJD10. For door to door service for four people, that was good value.

Someone said 'Taxi'? 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

We arrived back safely, tired, rain washed and quite satisfied with our day's adventures - the first of many more to come.

Fijian Christmas Tree 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Vinaka and thank you for reading and staying with me on my Fijian adventures.

Hope you'll keep reading! If you liked this post, do click like and share it! Vinaka vaka levu!