Beachcomber news

NOW, FOR A ROUND OF APPLAUSE

Vanuatu’s government is delighted to welcome back the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line which is scheduled to resume its cruise itinerary to Vanuatu during the cruising trial in Vanuatu this summer. The first arrival will be at Mystery Island by Ovation of the Seas, with further sailings planned throughout the 2022- 2023 season on both Ovation of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest entrant into this region.

Royal Caribbean has been working hand in hand with the Department of Tourism and the Vanuatu Tourism Office on the safe and successful resumption of cruising to Vanuatu.

Gavin Smith, Vice President Royal Caribbean Australia and New Zealand said their guests loved visiting Vanuatu for its natural beauty and friendly communities.

“We are thrilled to be returning. Throughout our many years sailing to Vanuatu, we’ve always worked closely with the government and people of Vanuatu through our RCL Cares program to champion and support the Vanuatu community,” Mr. Smith said.

TIME FOR A NICE LIE DOWN …. AND RELAX

Spa InterContinental at InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has received the award for ‘Fiji’s Best Resort Spa 2022’ at the 8th annual World Spa Awards. The World Spa Awards celebrate and reward spa and wellness tourism excellence through the annual awards programme.

A haven of peace and relaxation, Spa InterContinental presents guests with the perfect getaway for wellness breaks. Combining Asian, Eastern and Western treatment methods to bring balance to mind, body and soul.

The Spa features a Wai Zone – Fijian for water, the essence of life; this pre- and post-treatment area offers Aqua therapy with water in all three states – gas, liquid and solid. The treatment includes access to the steam area, hydrotherapy Jacuzzi and Fiji’s first ice room and a private plunge pool.

Spa Manager, Kalpana Devi says “The recognition makes us very proud. Since reopening international borders in December, we have received excellent feedback from guests It is a fantastic honour to receive such a prestigious award”.

ISLAND INSPO

Australian artist Caley Ashpole produces whimsical tropical images typified by the beautifully understated use of palm tree silhouettes with neutral shapes pictured at right. Caley’s also a stylist and decorator who is currently renovating a tropical home in far north Queensland but her love of all things tropical is her inspiration in both her decorating style and her art. Specifically she finds seashells, palm trees and birds to be the most important muses in her pursuit of her personal creativity.

Her talent for abstract tropical art might well be in her genes as her paternal grandfather, Kenneth Smith is a recognised Australian artist while her maternal grandfather was born and raised on Abaiang Island in Kirabati a place to which she feels a deep connection.

Both her art and décor style are distinctively beachy, warm and inviting. She seeks to amuse and engage in what her husband describes as an ‘eccentric’ manner which is colourful and uplifting.

After graduating with a Diploma of Interior Design Caley went on to work in the music broadcasting industry before happily settling down to raise a family and offer her art to the wider world. For more island inspiration and info and a look a more of her creations go to: www.caleyashpole.com or @caleyashpole.art.

THEY’VE DONE IT AGAIN

Condé Nast Traveler has announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards with Likuliku Lagoon Resort once again recognised in the Top 20 Resorts in Australia and the South Pacific.

More than 240,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how they are travelling today. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as ‘the best of the best of travel’.

“We only reopened Likuliku on 1st February 2022 after 699 days of pandemic closure,” Tony Whitton, resort owner and managing director of Fijian family-owned Ahura Resorts said.

To receive this type of accolade already is very humbling and we are honoured to be featured in this prestigious list for the fifth time.”

Situated in the Mamanuca group of islands in Fiji’s west, Likuliku Lagoon Resort is a unique haven of relaxed refinement and a wilderness luxury retreat. It is Fiji’s only resort with authentic over-water accommodation in a natural ocean environment in a protected marine sanctuary with the reef at your feet. Likuliku is passionate about protecting its local habitat and wildlife.