The week just gone has quite literally been something out of a dream which in this case has actually been a reality.
Heading over to the other side of the world to the beautiful South Pacific island of Fiji has been truly incredible.
In my short stay as a guest of Fiji Tourism I have met some of the most amazing people, been treated to incredible experiences, all set amongst truly awe-inspiring landscapes and the beautiful coastal playgrounds that combine to put the small Pacific island of Fiji right at the top of the list of my must see places.
Rather than walk you through what has been a nonstop itinerary of action packed fun and adventure I shall endeavour to give you some kind of overall account of the past week with the hope of helping you gain some kind of understanding of what’ been going down and most importantly what an incredible destination Fiji is.
As guest of Fiji Tourism, the plan was to see and experience as much of Fiji as was humanly possible in the time available.
Having got stuck in South Korea, my trip to Fiji was now reduced to 5 days. With Fiji Tourism taking care of the itinerary, I can safely say that every minute was covered leaving nothing left undiscovered.
Having been ceremoniously greeted with singing, a shell necklace, a bottle of cold Fijian mineral water as well as a driver to take me to the other side of the island, my Fijian adventure began in style.
Heading up to Voli Voli beach to stay in the fantastic resort they have up there, it was wakeboarding on day 1 followed by a few sun down beers on the boat in the evening.
It was up early the next day and onto the Jet Ski’s to check out some of the outer island. As I whipped along the flat calm waters, I felt I had to pinch myself to be sure this was not a dream..!
Checking out a spot like Voli Voli, famed for its diving and world class kitesurfing, came as a welcome surprise and with the resort owners Steve (Dad) and Steve (son) really taking the endless opportunity for water based activities seriously, Voli Voli beach is definitely somewhere I will be heading back to!!
The fundamental reason for my trip over to Fiji is to continue to keep Ticket to Ride at the forefront of worldwide surfing adventures.
In terms of adventure, there are very few places that I have travelled to that encapsulate real adventure as well as Fiji does. From the dramatic landscapes, incredible biodiversity, Fiji is adventure in its purest form.
Ever since 2005 Linley and I have been very particular about the countries we see as suitable for hosting Ticket to Ride Surf Adventures. It is fair to say that Fiji offers everything and more than what we look for when expanding the Ticket to Ride Worldwide Adventure. Fijian people are some of the warmest, happiest and welcoming people that I have ever met. The country is truly beautiful, both on land and sea, the culture is totally unique, there is also strong community aspect for the Ticket to Ride Foundation to be involved out here.
Surfing in Fiji
When it comes to surfing, there really is something for everyone, from gentle beach breaks, entry level reef surfing all the way through to intermediate and advanced ‘waves of your life’ kinda stuff. On top of all this we have been linked up with one of Fiji’s most influential surfers who has welcomed the idea of bringing Ticket to Ride to Fiji with open arms!!
Ian Muller is one of the founders of modern surfing in Fiji and continues to be the driving force behind surfing’s continued development in Fiji. Most importantly for Ian, it is local surfing that has driven him so passionately on. “For years surfing was exclusive to tourists, and whilst tourists are welcome to come and share our waves and culture, this must not be at the expense of local Fijian people” says Ian.
These sentiments drove Ian with the help of the Fijian Surfing Association to lift an exclusive access law that until 7th July 2010 rendered Fiji’s most famous waves exclusive to tourists. A fantastic achievement and one that opens Fiji up to the surfing world, not just the surfing elite.
Ian runs the only surf shop on the Island which includes surf tours by boat out the outer islands and specifically the world class waves that break on the islands of Tavarua and Namotu.
With Ian as my guide and Sonisali beach resort as my hosts the trip of a lifetime continued in style.
Check out my full Fiji Surf Session Report here!!
Just like Linley and I did in South Africa back in 2005, Mozambique in 2007 and Costa Rica in 2008 sitting down with Ian to put ideas for the concept of Ticket to Ride Fiji was truly exciting.
Drinking beers Fijian style (1 beer at a time shared between 2 people with one small glass taking turns to sink what is a little over a shot of beer) enabled Ian and myself to talk long into the night of everything that Ticket to Ride Fiji would include. The Surf Adventure Course of a lifetime is an understatement!
Sitting in the departure lounge as I type this up, I feel genuinely sad to be leaving this beautiful country. And I mean beautiful in ever sense of the word as Fijian beauty is everywhere, the people, the culture, the geography, even the water is the purest in the world.
Ticket to Ride Fiji? We would crazy not to!!!!
Thanks for tuning in