Beachcomber Issue 38

QUAINT QUANT REDUX

This girls’ range of quirky bags, backpacks and accessories came about because its Sydneybased designer/creator, Delphine Kuiken, is a travel nut. What’s that got to do with the price of nuts? Well…

It all started with her passion for 1960’s London, Carnaby Street and the funky designs of Mary Quant.

“My love of travel started in my teenage years. I was mesmerised by London’s vibrancy; trend-setting Carnaby Street; the Beatles; and the fabulous ‘Mod’ fashion scene that had taken the world by storm, thanks largely to the creative gem – Mary Quant. I couldn’t wait to be part of it all, and now I am in a way, by bringing back to life the style and mood of my favourite designer at that time,” says Delphine (or ‘Delphi’ as she is known professionally).

Her new online shop, www.creativebydelphi.com, has brought together this love of travel, with products that echo the exuberance of the 1960’s.

‘Creative by Delphi’ introduces travel items that are bright, fun and just a little bit different. They will set the traveller apart, with colourful backpacks, luggage tags, passports wallets, toiletry items, totes and phone cases. They are perfect for anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd be it on a Pacific Island or a cobbled street in Europe. Accessorise your travel wardrobe from AU$39.55.

A TALE FROM VANUATU

What do you do when you come to Vanuatu to finish writing a book about how to cope with disasters and two massive disasters (COVID and Cyclone Harold) strand you on a remote island for three years? You make the best lemonade you can out of the basket of lemons you’ve been given.

In this case, a best-selling memoir on Amazon called Never Let a Good Disaster Go to Waste! Kat Finnerty is no stranger to disasters – she’s been dogged by them her whole life. She once made headlines across Australia for being amongst the first to undergo radical stem cell therapy for her MS (multiple sclerosis).

Kat’s story is not just inspirational to thousands but is also changing lives, especially those struggling with auto-immune disease and depression. She is living proof that you can short cut your suffering and beat immune disease by taking on a positive mindset and adopting a holistic approach to therapy. And the irony is, her story has been shaped by her time in Vanuatu, a country officially recognised as one of the most disaster- prone areas in the world.

“Vanuatu is all about community, family and connection. They’re generally a very happy people. They don’t tend to worry too much about the future and they readily forgive people and situations that have happened in the past. And even when bad things happen in the present and can’t be fixed straight away, they simply accept it and move on, practicing patience and fortitude. It’s a very Stoic way of dealing with life,” says Kat.

“Life’s about the journey, not the destination. There’s no such thing as a fairy-tale ending, life should be an adventure, a roller coaster ride, a jigsaw puzzle. Some place where you never know your next destination or how you’re going to get there.”

QUARTET OF AWARDS

Malolo Island Resort Fiji is now a four-time winner as ‘Oceania’s Leading Beach Resort’ at the 2023 World Travel Awards.

The World Travel Awards (WTA) recognise, acknowledge and celebrate excellence in travel, tourism and hospitality. Malolo Island Resort in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago received the prestigious award after attracting the most votes from consumers and travel industry professionals around the globe.

Ahura Resorts new Group General Manager, Bradley Calder says: “We are as always, humbled and honoured to receive accolades of this stature – and even more so, for the fourth time.

“This year has been an exciting one for the resort, with record-breaking occupancies in only year two of a postCovid reopening. We’d like to once again thank our loyal guests, travel industry partners and our incredible Malolo team who are dedicated to creating magical Malolo memories for all. We are proud to be a Fijian family business and to see the entire team’s hard work and commitment contribute to Malolo’s wonderful reputation among guests and the travel and tourism industry professionals alike.”

To add more to a successful 2023, Malolo has invested FJ$500,000 introducing some exciting new product offerings and aesthetic transformations, to further enhance the guest experience including: revitalisation of the Beach Bar venue – expanding the dining down onto Malolo’s beach; new resort pathways; relocation of the water sports/activities hut – giving extra beach access and uninterrupted ocean views for some rooms; new sun loungers for the pools and beach; installation of a new ice-cream parlour; expansion of private dining options eg beachside cabanas; additional cultural experiences with the Malolo Resort Dancers – fire and dance from the South Pacific; brand new resort signage; and enhanced menu offerings throughout all three dining outlets – including a brand new wood fired pizza oven for the Beach Bar.

Proving very popular with Malolo’s younger guests, is the new ice-cream parlour “Coastal Cones” offering soft serve ice cream made daily in-house with daily-changing flavours ranging from local banana including ripe vudi, local coconuts and passionfruit. Vanilla, chocolate and strawberry are an option too. The ice cream is made in-house by our team of pastry chefs with all fresh ingredients and is gluten free – sourcing the best of local offerings.

HIGH SOCIETY

South Pacific Management is delighted to support the development of Te Rai’atea, a four-star hotel located on the beautiful island of Raiatea in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. Nestled on the seafront in Uturaerae, this establishment will combine contemporary elegance with traditional Polynesian refinement, offering an authentic experience anchored in the modernity of today’s world.

Te Rai’atea takes its name from the island on which it will be built, and pays tribute to the project’s founder, a native of the village of Fetuna. Scheduled to start construction in 2024, the project promises to integrate harmoniously with the local environment. Work should be completed by the end of 2026 offering 55 rooms, 5 private villas, a restaurant and a majestic swimming pool.