Beachcomber Issue 37

WAITUI BAR AND GRILL RESTAURANT: AN ADULT OUTING ON THE BEACHFRONT

Perfect for couples, Waitui Bar and Grill at the freshly renovated Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on the beachfront on Denarau Island is a stylish addition to one of Denarau’s leading resorts.

The Waitui Bar and Grill (above) is an exclusive adults-only restaurant located within the Waitui Beach Club sanctuary offering a chic, signature dining experience. Featuring mouthwatering cocktails and a selection of prestige wines and champagnes.

The executive chef and his team have sourced fresh ingredients within Fiji as well as from local neighbours. The menus will be sure to satisfy all palates with a wide range of fresh, healthy and delectable dishes along with the finest selection of grilled meat and seafood from the house built charcoal grill.

Reservations are essential, and some blackout periods for outside guests apply during peak seasons.

NEW WAVE TOURISM POTENTIAL

The Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) through a collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s East West Center’s Outbound Exchange program, recently welcomed Keone Downing, a renowned pro-surfer and tourism expert from Hawaii.

This partnership aims to foster the growth of surfing as a niche tourism market for Kiritimati Island.

Downing, who is the son of big-wave pioneer, George Downing is a distinguished surfer with numerous national and international accolades to his name. He has won various competitions throughout his career, including victories in the Makaha International and the Quicksilver in memory of Eddie Akau big-wave contest.

During his one-week visit, Downing engaged in meetings with several hotel and tour operators with a keen interest in surf tourism. Together with TAK, he scouted potential surf sites around the island, charting them for further observation and assessment during the upcoming winter season (September/ October and March/April).

Beyond his crucial role in identifying promising surf spots on Kiritimati Island, he also shared surfing skills with local youth who were elated by the generous donation of five surfboards and three bodyboards.

SOUTH PACIFIC COFFEE COMPANY

Coffee drinkers are a tough bunch to please, especially if they come from Melbourne – the self proclaimed coffee capital of the world.

If you’re visiting Nadi and dreaming of the perfect brew, call in to the South Pacific Coffee Company on the Nadi Back Road as you head off to explore the island.

It’s not just good coffee, there is a good story behind it too with local Fijian farmers growing the beans, ensuring villages share in the profits from the locally made coffee.

Tours of the factory are available and you can enjoy a cake or pie at the on-site cafe too.

KENNEDYS RETURN TO KENNEDY ISLAND

Eighty years ago, during World War 2, John F Kennedy swam between Plum Pudding Island (now Kennedy Island), Naru Island, and Olasana Island — multiple times, at night — to save himself and his PT-109 crew in Solomon Islands.

His actions saw the Navy lieutenant return home a hero and eventually become the president of the United States.

Last month, the former president’s daughter and US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack, recreated the swim to commemorate the heroism and perseverance of the President and his crew.

“It gave me a renewed appreciation of the heroism of my father and his crew and the Solomon Scouts,” Ambassador Kennedy said.

Kennedy Island is near Gizo with day visitors welcomed.

AWAKEN THE SENSES

Six Senses Fiji is thrilled to announce an exclusive wellness package, ‘A Journey Through the Senses’, in partnership with the “esteemed sound therapist Ashley Tan”. This experience will take guests on a profound exploration of sound and consciousness from September 5 to October 8.

Hailing from Singapore, Ashley is a highly skilled sound therapist who has mastered the art of using singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, and crystal bowls to create a symphony of healing, melting away tension, and restoring balance throughout the body, mind, and spirit.

Ashley will guide guests on a transformative three-night journey to achieve deep relaxation and rejuvenation through the power of sound. Get ready to respond to the song of the gong in the exceptional surroundings of Malolo Island. Limited spaces are available, so email reservation-fiji@sixsenses.com

NAVO IS NUOVO AT THE INTERCON

The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has announced the arrival of a new dining destination at their gorgeous coastal resort at Natadola Bay in Fiji. Navo invites you to discover “elegant Fiji speciality dining overlooking the lagoon and the island of Navo. This speciality dining restaurant features contemporary cuisine inspired by the sea and an extensive range of new and old-world wines. Be tempted by an array of the finest creations prepared in the glass-walled show kitchen at one of the best restaurants in Fiji.”

They also suggest the novel idea for an island break of dressing up a bit in recognition of the restaurants ‘refined nature’ so “formal Fijian national dress or smart casual dress is required. For gentlemen, we request a collared shirt or smart casual T-shirt with dress shorts and closed shoes. We would appreciate it if you refrain from entering with hats, flip-flops, slides, slippers or swimwear.” The Fijian menu inclusions look worth a temporary wardrobe upgrade.