Hiapo Cockett's 2009 Fiji Trip
Vatulele Island Resort

I know Vatulele has a meaning in Fijian, but I believe in my heart that the correct definition is “big”, make that “HUGE”. Everything about this place is big. The villas are 2000 square feet including the patio. If you have one of the villas with a plunge (like mine!) you have a 25+ foot long, 5+ foot deep, horizon edge pool. Surrounding your villa is a huge jungle with a huge variety of jungle birds (more songs, coos, trills, and whistles than anywhere this side of an Amazon jungle). If you walk your private sand path towards the water, you will find a huge, white, sandy beach (shared by less than 20 villas) stretching over a quarter of a mile. Fronting the beach is a turquoise, barrier reef protected lagoon so huge that seaplanes can land right along the beach.

Then you get inside your villa. Your bathroom has a shower huge enough for you and maybe seven of your closest friends, two showerheads, towels that are AT LEAST 6 ½ feet long (well over my 6’ 3” head). In the sunken seating area you will find a build-in sofa and love seat, coffee tables made of huge chunks of tamarind wood (DON’T try to move them, they weigh enough to throw your back out!), a wine fridge, LCD TV (DVD player only, TV reception is very rare in Fiji.

In your boudoir area, you will find a huge king size, elevated bed with a romantic netting underneath which is some of the most comfortable, soft, breathable linens available. Behind the bed (and under the new hidden air conditioning unit) is a very well appointed wet bar stocked with an assortment of sodas, water, milk and coffee and tea making equipment (check out the cute little individual chromed kettles for making tea).

Then, if this is not enough for you, they have what is consistently voted “the sexiest accommodation in the Pacific”: The Point. A twisting path takes you through some of the thickest jungle on the resort; a wavering, patterned stone inlaid path leads you to a huge double doorway with a stone Buddha head witnessing your entry into your own personal piece of paradise.  Perched on the vertical lava cliffs, overlooking the aforementioned lagoon is a two story, pristine white villa. Separated by the rest of the resort by it’s location, The Point has it’s own private, horizon edge plunge pool (overlooking the lagoon), ANOTHER separate pool with waterfall, surrounded by thick, verdant jungle on one side and the shear lava cliff. In the bathroom, besides a multi-headed shower, is a pristine white tub for two, AGAIN with a view of the lagoon. With such an accommodation a personal butler is, of course, included (with his own residence connected just outside your door).

With all this “huge”, you may find it surprising that the thing you will take from Vatulele is a restored soul. The very air around you breathes relaxation into your body. You will feel your blood pressure drop, you will stop looking at your watch, you will forget your shoes in your room, and all of your cares will disappear like a whisper in a forest.

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