Fiji Tourism, Fiji Airways - Nanuku Resort & Jean Michel Cousteau Resort
Flying business class with Fiji Airways from LAX you may select which lounge you would like to rest in before your flight: OneWorld or Star Alliance. I chose the OneWorld lounge; as I am not experienced in the world of lounges as to which one is better. The OneWorld Lounge was fine enough for us, plenty of food choices, drinks, water, shower access, and seating. You also have FijiAirways lounge access in Nadi airport for your return.

We arrived at Nanuku Resort https://nanukuresort.com/ with a greeting from the Fijian “spokesperson” in full tribal dress, with another tribe member blowing the conk shell to alert the Nanuku Tribe of our arrival. Wood drums beat as we are explained that we are in Fiji time now, to relax, and welcome home. After our BULA Welcome and coconut drinks in hand we are given a brief resort tour before we sit to “check in”. Our room was ready despite being early in the day which we were grateful as we were ready to freshen up.
We had an oceanfront villa with our own beach access and pool. The villa was spacious and comfortable. We were welcomed with a bottle of champagne and fruit plate. Our bed covered in flowers with a Happy Anniversary message and a welcome home.

Water toys and jet skis are available complementary as well as hiking and river kayaking located on at the resort. Day to Day activities (basket weaving, coconut cup making) located on chalk board in lobby area. Cell service and WiFi worked fine. The resort requires you to wear a bracelet which unlocks your room door. We kayaked on the river and made coconut cups!

We purchased a private Kava Ceremony $400 Fijian which was like nearly $200 USD. Kava is a drink made from the pepper root mixed as a tea in cold water. You clap once to receive your kava drink, say Bula, then drink it all down fast, and then clap three times. We were shown the “traditional way” with water from the reed, and filtered with blades of grass. After the traditional part of the ceremony we then drank Kava mixed with a 5 gallon jug of water, and a tea bag. Kava is a required earthy taste that numbs your tongue. It is not alcohol or a hallucinogenic. It gives you a relaxed calming feeling. We talked, laughed, and sang together and were welcomed into the Nanuku Tribe!
You are given a bicycle to ride through the property at Nanuku which is very nice; as we explored the property we asked a groundskeeper if we could tour the “Treehouse Villa” (which is the largest villa on the property). We were invited without hesitation and were given a full tour. The villa had panoramic views of the property with private pool, hot tub, deck space, full kitchen, living area, bedrooms and bathrooms. Great for a multi-gen family!

During one of our dinners we were given a dessert and serenaded by the resort’s band for our anniversary. As we went back to our room we had another bottle of complimentary champagne, chocolates, with flower pedals leading to our jetted tub filled with bubbles and a message in flowers. All the little touches were truly special.
The day we had to depart, I was told by the staff that they were reconfirming our transportation for me and gave me the pick-up time. I did not even ask, they anticipated. Of course, we were given a farewell gift… you guessed it another bottle of champagne and a cheese and cracker plate. The overall welcome we received from Nanuku Resort and the accommodating staff will always stand out to me.

After our long drive to Nadi airport, we arrived at the domestic terminal for our flight to SavuSavu. Nadi’s domestic terminal was very small with 4 ticket counters, one line through “TSA” to sit in a smaller room waiting to board. The plane had propellers and 7 rows, Fiji Link flight for one hour. Arrival into SavuSavu airport, I noticed the airport was smaller yet. One runway, paved, with an open air building with about seven benches, one cooler half filled with Fiji Water. Our driver from the Jean Michel Cousteau resort https://www.fijiresort.com/ was there waiting for us.

About a 20 minute ride to the resort given water and cold towels. We arrived at the JMC resort and greeted with music and singing. Checked –in, our room was not ready yet, but we sat and had breakfast. After your meal there is no receipt to sign, you just get up and go about your business. No bracelets and you receive an actual room key, with a bronze sea shell attached to it. As we walked to our Bure with a member of staff, we were at the end of the other bures (bure 25). Our two room oceanfront bure was amazing! It had all the bells and whistles, hot tub, two outdoor showers, two indoor showers, pool, sink, midsized fridge, plenty of seating options, hammock. The room was amazing, please note there are no televisions in your bure. Also, the WiFi and phone service was almost non-existent. They did provide us with a pocket WiFi that helped a little. We felt very disconnected.
There are many included activities provided at this resort as well as additional priced options. The main sell for this resort is the snorkel or scuba diving. The coral is all over and filled with so much life. I felt as if we were dumped in a tropical fish tank with all the different sea life. You can snorkel right from the dock in front of the resort. Truly Amazing!

During dinner we were serenaded and given cake to celebrate our Anniversary! We also indulged in a couples massage and I felt it was the best massage I have ever had. No fancy music, one hut with two rooms, open doorway to feel the breeze; hear the ocean and the birds. The couples massage was approximately $200 USD total for an hour (not bad).
We did take a day trip into town and shopped. The SavuSavu market is filled with local produce, fish, honey, and crafts, very neat to experience.

I feel so blessed to have been able to visit Fiji, Vinaka! Fijians do not say goodbye, they say “See you soon”!