{"id":29665,"date":"2014-07-04T13:59:03","date_gmt":"2014-07-04T21:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.heynadine.com\/?p=29665"},"modified":"2014-07-04T13:59:03","modified_gmt":"2014-07-04T21:59:03","slug":"fiji-giving-giving-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/heynadine.com\/new\/fiji-giving-giving-back\/","title":{"rendered":"Fiji: Giving In and Giving Back"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cloud<\/a><\/p>\n

What can I say about a floating pontoon bar in a middle of the ocean that serves cold drinks and pizza? Welcome to Cloud 9<\/strong><\/a>. That is literally what it\u2019s called.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloud<\/a>
Cocktails anyone? Yes, the ocean is the exact same colour as Blue Cura\u00e7ao.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What a way to start our week long Capture Fiji Trip<\/a>\u00a0with my friends Datev Gallagher<\/a>,\u00a0Alli Speed<\/a> and Kristen Sarah<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cloud <\/span><\/p>\n

Cloud 9\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/span>was a perfect welcome or Bula<\/strong>, as they say is Fiji. Relaxed, laying in the sun and jumping off the platform right into the cool crystal clear ocean. This was exactly how I pictured Fiji water to be. That evening we slept oh so soundly as we spent the night in our own\u00a0Terraces Apartment.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The next day\u00a0we hopped into ferry, then a small power boat and headed over to Vomo Island,\u00a0<\/strong>where we were greeting by the amazing staff singing us a welcome song.\u00a0How is that for luxury treatment? This is how you know when you’re in a 5 star resort.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vomo<\/a><\/p>\n

Vomo Island Resort<\/a>\u00a0was seriously in a league of its’ own. Our stunning mountain view villa was lavishly marbled and laid with fresh picked flowers everywhere. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vomo<\/a><\/p>\n

The food, a fusion of south pacific and popular worldly flavours was exquisitely crafted by a world class chef, who changes up the menu daily.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vomo<\/a>
Grilled Marlin and Pesto Pepper.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the morning we went out on the boat for one of their optional snorkel adventures where we saw many colourful tropical fish and living coral.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although we dreaded having to wake up at 6:30am to hike up a mountain, the view on top of Mount Vomo<\/strong> was seriously worth the hassle. Only a 15-20 minutes hike up a decently worn footpath and you’re there. From the summit you can see literally 360\u00b0<\/b>\u00a0<\/span> around the island and you thus realize how private and secluded Vomo actually is.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Mt\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Mt-2\"<\/a><\/p>\n

FIJI VIDEO #1: <\/span>Blue Lagoons, Bikinis and Pontoons, Vomo Island<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

httpvh:\/\/youtu.be\/v4unKnTweKE
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Yasawa Islands<\/span><\/h2>\n

Our next island stop was Barefoot Island<\/a>:\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Talk about a complete opposite from Vomo! This backpacker and budget friendly eco-resort offers a variety of fun, outdoor activities such as diving, snorkeling, manta ray swimming and kayaking. Perfect for outdoor adventurers and backpackers!<\/span><\/p>\n

Now OUR room at the island was a flash-packers dream, complete with an outdoor shower and a hammock to rest up near the oceanfront.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Barefoot<\/a>
The beach at Barefoot Island, literally outside of our room.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

An important part of eco-tourism is\u00a0giving something back to the countries\u00a0you visit. What better way to participate than to volunteer for a day and spend some time with the children from one of\u00a0the villages on the islands.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vinaka<\/a><\/p>\n

Only a 35\u00a0minute\u00a0boat ride from Barefoot Island is\u00a0Naviti Island,<\/strong> where we volunteered with Vinaka Fiji<\/a>,<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0an organization that runs the volunteer program there. Vinaka Fiji helps out in a variety of ways, such as:\u00a0they organize the\u00a0volunteers to come in and help teach the students. As well as assist in building and agriculture projects to help the village<\/span>\u00a0become a more self sustained island.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Since we were on such tight time schedules, we only had the opportunity to help out for a day. But, should you go visit, there are many longer programs and summer camps in which you can volunteer for.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Vinaka<\/p>\n

FIJI VIDEO #2: Volunteering and Manta Rays, Yasawa Islands<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

httpvh:\/\/youtu.be\/1CcMc0A_7rY<\/p>\n

\n