Yatule Resort & Spa – More on My Whirlwind Trip to Fiji

I was recently in Beautiful Fiji with my family. We  had gone to Fiji to celebrate my grandson Sebastian’s marriage to his lovely fiance Lucia.  They had planned to be married at the Hilton on Denarau Island. However, a few weeks before the big day, a friend of the happy couple told them about the Yatule resort on the main island of Viti Levu, and advised them to go take a look. This they did and with what they saw and experienced at the resort, they decided to change their plans  and get married at the Yatule Resort instead.

We had just spent a few days on board the motor yacht Encore, having the best time ever. But then it was time to head down to the Yatule Resort for the next stage of festivities.

• When we arrived the staff gathered and presented each of us  with a shell necklace, then they welcomed us in song. Which was just so lovely and it was a beautiful way to start off our stay. They also sang a  farewell song to  another group  who were leaving.

• Marta, Lucia’s bridesmaid flew in from Australia and met us at the resort, and so our contingent was now complete. 
• We each settled in to our separate Bures before  meeting up and heading off to have lunch. I had the fish and chips.  The fish was either Walu or Wahoo, and it was  beautifully cooked in a nice crispy batter. I am such a big fan of fresh fish.  However, all the meals were tasty and there were no complaints about the food or the drinks from any of the members in our group.
• Once lunch was finished we headed off for some exploring.  Now, just a heads up,  when you walk along the beach you will be accosted by people wanting to sell you horse rides, massages and boat rides. Keep in mind that all these things can be booked from the resort at better prices.
• On our walk along the beach we met up with Rebekah who wanted to sell us some massage therapy sessions as well as horse rides up and down the beach. We finally manage to extricate ourselves and continue along the beach. It’s was a really beautiful day and the water was glistening in the sunlight. It looked so inviting.

• Apparently there are some caves to explore but the water was a bit deep to cross with our backpacks so Ayla and Tim set off to swim across while the rest of us continued looking for another alternative to getting across.
• A young man engaged Ros in conversation and offered to take us across the estuary for $30. Okay that sounded alright so I hopped into the boat. I had no sooner sat down when he and his friends tell that us we need a local guide to find the caves, or we will never manage to find them – extra cost involved of course.  Well Varinia was not having any of that, “No we’re not doing that, come on mum”, she says, so I hopped back out of the boat and we continued on our way.
• Bit silly really, they lost a sale, as we had been quite happy to pay the price even though we knew we were being charged more than the trip was worth. So caves forgotten for the moment, we continued on looking in water pools and examining the sea life. As the afternoon wore on and we had exhausted the rock pools, it was time to  head back to our resort.
• It really is just beautiful walking along Natadola beach, it’s peaceful and I can’t help but feel relaxed by the sound of the waves rolling up onto the sandy shore.

• Varinia and I decided to have a quick dip in the pool bar, and have a drink. Neither of us has done this before so it’s a bit of a novelty. And we somehow managed to get the process all wrong.
• We were supposed to order our drinks at the bar before getting into the pool. However, the young attendant at the pool was gracious and accommodating, and went to get some drinks for us. 
• It’s winter and the pool bar wasn’t manned full time. Before long our drinks arrived and here we were perched on the stools in the pool, sipping cocktails, lovely.  

• The kids had bought us all t-shirts celebrating their wedding, so naturally, it was time for a group photo.

• Seb arrived and told us about the cultural evening and fire lighting ceremony that’s to take place at the Intercontinental resort, next door. So it’s a quick scramble out of the pool and into some dry clothes as this is something we don’t want to miss.