Long time Fijiguide.com contributor Marilyn Marsh has just returned from her annual trip to Fiji. This year she focused on the Yasawa Group. Marilyn is an excellent writer and a photographer with a knack for underwater shots. Over the next ten days Fijiguide.com will present her travelogue– both text and photos, in a four-part series. This the third segment of her series.
Octopus has been a favourite of mine for many years, having stayed there in its first year of operation – and having just had our 17th annual visit. It is unrecognisable now from it’s beginnings but still has a great atmosphere and wonderful staff – not so far off the beaten track any more! The resort is set in well-cared for gardens which give each bure privacy from those nearby. Bures are built in local style with traditional thatched walls and roofs, but with tiled floors and louvre windows.
Bathrooms are partially outdoor, with no roof over the shower area. The thatched construction means that each bure needs to be rebuilt every 7 or 8 years, and as they do so they are being upgraded with garden in the shower area, and small covered decks added to Garden bures (previously only Beachfront bures had this). They are all ceiling-fan cooled, and have solar hot water. Each bure has a Queen-size bed and a single bed – bunks can be added for families with children. Bures are in three grades – Garden (in the area near the restaurant, Premium Garden (in the southern area of the resort and just behind Beachfront) and Beachfront.
In addition there are the Point North and South at either end of the resort and Poppys Lodge – these are the premium accommodations at the resort, (not thatched) and are fully airconditioned.The main dorm is airconditioned and has 15 single beds. There are also two small dorms (4-bed and 5-bed) which are converted bures (fan-cooled). Sharing the dorm facilities are five courtyard bungalows – private rooms with queen-size bed.
As with most Yasawa properties the meal plan is compulsory – there is no other option for dining. Food is very good and plentiful, with a great variety. Catering for special diets is not a problem if told in advance. The dining room with attached bar is large
with a deck running the full length. Seating is at tables of eight. At the centre of the resort there is a small pool with many sunloungers on the surrounding decking. The coral shelf stretches right across the beach in front of the resort, and at times of very low tides the only possible place to swim is out through the boat channel – then the swimming pool provides a welcome place for a cool dip.
There are many activities to choose from, from snorkelling trips, night snorkelling, fishing trips, guided walks, and village visits to near-by Nalauwaki Village (most of the staff come from there). The “Island Safari” day trip gives the chance (in season) to snorkel with manta rays – an awe-inspiring experience. On Friday nights the staff performs an impressive meke, Saturday is Beach Party night, and on Sunday Movie night by the pool (with popcorn!) is preceded by a performance by the church choir from Nalauwaki. The Dive Shop offers Discover Scuba sessions as well as daily dive trips.
In the next blog Marilyn will take inside look at the Blue Lagoon Beach Resort.
