Our adventures in Fiji began when we got on a 12-seat plane from Nadi to Savu Savu. Flying just over the mountain peaks, in an out of the clouds, the vista of the Fijian islands were breathtaking! At Savu Savu airport, you dont find queues of complaining travelers, nor grumpy customs agents and baggage scanning equipment...

In Fijian culture, the meke is a traditional dance held at important functions for visiting dignitaries and in celebration. Namale Resort & Spa regularly schedules a meke for the entertainment of our guests. Since the majority of our staff members live in the neighboring villages of Vivili and Naidi, we alternate between the two offering each the additional revenue for improvements that benefit the entire village. Accompanied by singing, chanting, clapping and the steady beat of the lali drum, the dancers, dressed in traditional costumes, perform with fans and sticks depicting stories of every day life or historical battles won. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged because this is one event you will want to video and share with family and friends when you get back home—a truly memorable experience!

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” This category awards exclusive properties which offer the finest location emphasizing exemplary and personalized service standards to enhance the Fiji Tourism experience.“

The Judges Citation contained the following statement:

Namale’s unique approach to design & innovation has seen the resort receive recognition as having the Ultimate #1 Honeymoon Suites in Fiji which lead to being voted #5 in the world and as having the &rdquot;Most Sexiest Villas“ in the South Pacific. Namale has a comprehensive range of innovative combined ocean and land based activities and is the only resort in Fiji that has a water trampoline, Golf Simulator and 2 ten-pin bowling alleys, taking the guest experience to a new level. With their commitment to sustainable tourism and the active participation and support for the community, Namale has worked extensively on community outreach programs, educational scholarships, free transportation for school children and the funding of road and electrical infrastructures of the neighboring villages of Vivili and Naidi.

This nine-hole course had a rocky start as it was maintained by a grounds team who had never even seen a golf course before. On arrival at Namale in June 2009, Ron Gratzinger, Co-General Manager of Namale, put his passion for golf into action and educated and trained the golf course grounds team to maintain the course in tip-top condition. Granted, Augusta doesn't have to worry that we'll lure The Masters away from them, but it has developed into a beautiful little course.

Since June, our nine-hole course has evolved now offering 18 separate tee boxes to give the player an 18-hole experience fully utilizing our nine holes. All are three and four par holes with a total par of 64. We've added seven sand bunkers scattered throughout of-fering distinctly individual challenges depending on whether your approach is from the first nine or the back nine. This is a course you want to play short and straight, because the rough in the tropics can be really rough. It's even a good idea to toss a few extra golf balls in your bag before coming so you'll have a few extra to toss in your golf bag before playing. If you can play a round without losing a ball, you've really accomplished something!

However, losing a ball gives the less serious competitor the time and opportunity to really take in the scenery. The lily pond with its bright pink, purple and white flowers is quite lovely and often populated with ducks. You will likely spot the two large blue heron that live on the golf course, as well. A couple of the holes take you across a lively spring that runs through the lush foliage of the course and the wider expanses are dotted with towering palm trees. It is a unique and heady golfing experience.

A comical thing has happened since the early education of our golf course grounds team. When it is their break time, you'll likely see them flipping through one of Ron's golf magazines studying how golf courses around the globe are maintained, while Ron is on one of the mowers making sure everything is manicured to spec. Well, as much as this tropical climate - where everything grows like mad - will allow, anyway.

While Namale Resort & Spa is not a golf destination, what fun it is to knock a few balls around in such a unique setting! We'll be waiting for you at the 19th hole for cocktails at the Main Bure!

We began our Christmas Eve celebrations with roving cocktails at various venues throughout the property. Our wizard Papa Kele mixed up different magical holiday concoctions at every location. Upon arrival at Dream House, our Grand Villa, we were treated to Christmas carols sung by the award winning Urata Village children's choir backlit by a most spectacular sunset. We fully expected to see them extend snowy white wings for they looked and sounded like angels.

Following the choir was our Fijian Storyteller - one of our dive masters, Paul, who shared a very entertaining version of "The Night Before Christmas" - Fijian style. We all laughed as his story conjured images of bures, geckos, fruit bats and a kava drinking Santa in board shorts!

Awaiting us at Duavata Beach was a magnificent bonfire next to which our lovo had been cooking in an earth oven all afternoon. Wrapped in banana leaves and coconut palm fronds and surrounded by fiery hot creek stones was chicken, fish, pork and traditional root vegetables: dalo (taro) and cassava (tapioca). Soon our Fijian family meal (lovo) was unearthed and displayed with several other offerings such Palusami: taros leaves baked in coconut cream, kokoda: the freshest fish marinated in lime juice and seasonings; and Vakasos: ripe plantains with shredded coconut and coconut cream for our Christmas Eve feast. Papa Kele provided us with his latest Christmas cocktail and we settled in around a large table with lanterns and fairy lights all aglow. It was an evening of sparkling lights, sparkling champagne and sparkling conversation. By the night's end it was evident that the infectious nature of the Namale experience had wrapped us all in its warm embrace.

Not to be outdone, we were all greeted upon arrival for breakfast on Christmas morn at the Main Bure by Santa Rups (the jolly alter-ego of our F&B manager, Rupeni) who not only instantly put a grin on everyone's face but also presented each couple with a token of special significance in Fijian culture - a carved wooden Tabua. The Tabua is highly regarded in Fijian culture. The ceremonial whale's tooth with a coconut fiber cord attached at either end is traditionally presented at important ceremonies such as weddings, births and funerals. And, in this case to our guests as a token by which to always remember a very special Christmas shared with their new Fijian family at Namale.

Just when you thought it couldn't possibly be any more romantic at Namale, we have just opened the newest addition to our multitude of wondrous dining and viewing decks. It is appropriately named "Veidomoni Deck" which is Fijian for Lover's Deck.

This double tiered deck features an upper deck for romantic dining for two while the lower cliff-side deck harbors a roomy hot tub nestled within the lava outcroppings providing a spectacular view of our naturally occurring blowholes and magnificent sunsets. For our late night visitors, the walkway, decks and hot tub are fully lit for romance well into the evening. Even if you have a private pool or hot tub at your bure, you won't want to miss this (already) popular venue!

Joe and Rebecca were officially married twenty months ago amid all the normal hustle and bustle that tends to accompany weddings with all of the trappings, plus friends and family. Add a few badly timed incidents such as an accident resulting in injury to the mother of the bride on the day of the wedding and the fact that the wedding cake was very late to arrive at the reception, well suffice it to say this made for an especially stressful day. Joe and Rebecca found they spent more time and energy trying to insure the happiness of their guests than celebrating their love for each other. So, in addition to their marital vows, they made another special vow that they would find the perfect time and place to pledge their love to each other that would be just for them.

At two o'clock this past Thursday, Rebecca found herself seated before a large vanity mirror in the Namale Fiji Resort and Spa surrounded by the Spa ladies as they tastefully applied her make-up and swept her hair up in a French twist embellished with orchids. Dressed to perfection, she was presented with a tropical bouquet of bird of paradise stems and escorted to the beach.

As she walked onto the sand, covered with scattered ginger petals, she entered the aisle defined by tropical flowers arranged in bamboo that led her to Joe waiting with Pastor Clark beneath the wedding arch. The Fijian choir comprised of the Namale Fiji Resort and Spa family sang like angels as they were united for the ceremony. Pastor Clark lovingly guided them through the renewal of their vows as they looked deeply into each other eyes and spoke one to the other as if they were the only two people on earth. This was their dream fulfilled. The moment was all about them and only for them.as it should be.

Well, that's all for now. But, remember, Namale Fiji Resort and Spa is where dreams do come true and lives can be changed forever...

This is our first Namale Fiji Resort and Spa Blog entry, and I have been musing about just how to describe such a magical place. While magic can be defined in so many different ways, here at Namale, there's no doubt of its prevalence and power: From the wondrous fiery red, purple and orange sunsets over the Koro Sea to the tiniest hermit crab scurrying to keep from underfoot. In a word, yes, the resort is magical.

The location feels unspoiled and timeless, yet the people here will delight and spoil you. It's understatement to say that you've never before experienced the warmth and joy of a culture like that of the Fijian staff who we warmly embrace as our Namale family. When was the last time you actually shed a tear upon leaving a holiday destination because you were going to miss the staff so dearly?

There's plenty of the usual blog fodder such as the many accolades awarded to Namale Resort and Spa over the years, including Beverly Clark's Elite Wedding Collection, recognizing a commitment to excellence in providing superior romantic experiences, yet we hope to share all of this and more in future blogs, and of course, accolades from guests, too.

Of course, there's also the fact that Namale Fiji Resort has been a home away from home for many special guests including a few very well known ones: from the likes of Russell Crowe, Meg Ryan, Quincy Jones, Anthony Hopkins and Donna Karan and others we hold close. And, by the way, owner Tony Robbins even filmed the reality TV show "Breakthrough with Tony Robbins" at this amazing Fiji resort destination.

These are, no doubt, wonderful aspects of which we are extremely proud, yet the very essence of Namale Fiji resort is in the details - the numerous little things that truly personalize the visit for each and every guest who visits Namale, so please indulge me as I share a little story with you that I named the "Magic Flip-Flops."

After a leisurely stroll on the beach, Barbara and Gary wandered up to Bure Levu - the main bure - for lunch. As is the custom in Fiji, the couple prepared to remove their shoes and leave them at the door before entering the restaurant. Not so when Barbara realized that she had left her flip-flops somewhere on the beach. Thinking she would simply go back to retrieve them later, she and Gary secured their favorite table - a dreamy setting where they could enjoy the ocean views together along with their gourmet lunch. Afterwards, as the restaurant staff wished then a happy afternoon and "sotatale" or "see you later," Gary started to put on his shoes at the door when he heard Barbara exclaim, "Oh, my! Look! My flip-flops are laid out beside yours! How did they get here? It's like magic!"

Only to say that at Namale Fiji Resort and Spa, magic happens in many forms, large and small, subtle and bold.

I hope you will check in from time to time as I together with other members of the Namale family will be posting more photos, videos and bits of magic from the resort - just the elixir to keep you under the Namale spell!

Until next time,

Margaret