Fiji - October 2002

Taveuni Island Resort

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The next, and most romantic stop on our Fiji trip put Jana and Marc on the island of Taveuni, in the North East corner of the Fiji islands. Taveuni is also known as the Garden Island of Fiji, as it is lush with green, rainforest-like trees and lots of plants.

We took a small plane from Suva to Taveuni Airport . This was (one of) the smallest airports that we have ever seen (the only smaller one that we are aware of is on the island of Saba in the Caribbean). The plane had to break very fast in order to make the end of the small runway .

We were picked up at the airport by Tomasi . Over the week, Tomasi transfomed himself from airport shuttle driver into waterfall tour guide, bartender, marriage witness (not for us - we are having our own wedding), and taxi driver. He was always laughing and telling us outrageous stories, including the time that he rescued these 4 Frenchmen from the raging waters of a river after a torrential downpour, much like our experience hiking to the waterfalls.

Tomasi took us to Taveuni Island Resort. Based on our experience at Natadola Beach Resort, we held our breath until we had walked through the small driveway and through the inconspicuous gate marking the entrance to Taveuni Island Resort . As we had hoped, we were rewarded with a week at one of the most romantic and pleasant places on earth.

Taveuni Island Resort offered us everything we were looking for: a fantastic room, lots of places to relax, a small beach, massages, and above all great service. The people were so friendly and provided for every wish we had. The resort was very intimate (only 7 rooms), and 90% of the guests were couples on their honeymoon. It definitely was one of the best places to go on your honeymoon, or come to relax from a hectic L.A. lifestyle.

Our room, or we should really call it our house , was the last bure (meaning bungalow) on the resort. It was the newest bure on the property and offered us a very large living room , 2 bedrooms (we were not sure what to do with both at the same time), and a wide porch with lounge chairs and nice patio furniture . Upon our arrival, we found a bottle of champagne in our room. Just another way that we were able to celebrate our stay at Taveuni Island Resort.

But Taveuni Island Resort had more to offer than just a great room. We were able to spend time at the "endless" pool , which allowed you to "walk on water" , and get massages in the "lagoon bure" . A steep path down the cliff (on which Taveuni Island Resort is located), got us to the small beach area , from which we kayaked and went diving. The grounds were beautiful. Here is a shot from the pool towards the main building . The main building offered the dinning area and the bar , where we were able to relax and enjoy the Fijian hospitality . But the most spectacular thing was the views that we were able to savor every day .

Taveuni Island Resort was the perfect setting for one of the most important events in our lifes together. After over 2 years of bliss and true happiness, Marc asked Jana to marry him. The setting is a romantic sunset dinner. Jana is just happy to be in this beautiful tropical place. The weather is warm, the sun is setting, and the dinner we are about to have will be superb. Marc , the sneaky devil he is, engages Jana in a nice conversation. Champagne is being sent down from the bar (Marc had a little talk with Tomasi right before), and the evening progresses. During the middle of an intense conversation, Marc suddenly drops to his knee in front of Jana and ask if she would marry him. 
And Jana said YES .

We are now engaged and are planning a fantastic wedding. But onto all the other things that we were able to do on the island of Taveuni.