Bula from Safari Lodge, Nananu-I-Ra island, Fiji!

Diva Tracy and I have just returned from a week windsurfing and relaxing at Safari Lodge on Nananu-I-Ra island off the north east coast of the main island of Fiji, Viti Levu.

We set off on Friday the 4th of September from Perth for a 14 hour door to door trip. We departed at 16:00. First to Melbourne, where strong tail winds cut the flight time to under 3.5 hours. A 1 hour wait until our 1 am flight on to Nadi.

From there it was a 2 hour van trip to Ellington Wharf  where Warren, the resort owner, met us for the short boat trip to Nananu-I-Ra island. At 06:00 (WA time) we arrived on the island. Day one was a quiet affair as we slipped into “Fiji Time” we met the others who were staying at the lodge that week and checked out the place. The food was excellent! Mainly local dishes with an Indian influence. There was no chance of going hungry.

Day two started fine, with trade winds light from the SE, then later in the afternoon it rained! It’s currently the dry season, but the heavens opened and we relaxed with Tracy reading a book or two and I getting to grips with my new camera.

Some of the kitesurfers managed to get out on the water in the light conditions. Yep, kiters. I know the views that some of you have about our dangly brethren, but it was a harmonious existance all week. We even got some amazing "helicopter" windsurfing video with cameras attached to kites. You could sail along together and get great footage from 30m up (Stay tuned for this).

Drew kiting

A couple we were staying with went for a paddle in a sea kayak to an adjoining beach and came back engaged! Stewart popped the question to Jane and the answer was yes! A few drinkies were had to celebrate.

Kiwi’s John and Pip arrived that evening in the rain. It would have been an interesting boat trip over in the dark!

Day 3 an we awoke to blue skies and the promise of good trade winds.

Here is our “Bure” that we stayed in.

Diva Tracy at the Bure	Inside	The view

After breakfast we went for an explore around the island. The East side (Where we were staying) is the windy side, the West (a 30m walk) is much calmer and would be ideal for non windsurfers.

West side of Nananu-I-Ra

East (Sailing) side of Nananu-I-Ra

Safari Lodge

With the trade winds filling in, I spent the morning taking pictures of both windsurfers and kitesurfers blasting around the bay.

In the afternoon we both took to the water and had a great time. Diva Tracy did manage to graze herself on the reef, but they were superficial scratches. With so much exercise we ate really well that evening and were off to bed by lights out.

There are no services on the island (reticulated water/electricity), so when the generator goes off, it’s time for bed. We did have solar hot water systems, and on all but the very rainy day, hot showers were available.

Another glorious day greeted us on day 4. The wind blew all night, and did not let up all day!

We started the day with a bit if a stretch. Steph (Warrens partner) has Yoga at 07:30 every morning.

After breakfast, a windsurfing theory session with Warren was in order. The windsurfers on the trip with us ranged from rank beginners, to those learning to carve gybe and those that could (me). Warren had been sailing with us in the afternoon all week. He has the ability to get really close to you as you sail along and give directions. I have quite a few tips now for going faster on flat water. Tracy also picked up a few stance tips that has improved her windsurfing.

Then it was on the water :)

The morning was spent in a boat, taking photos as everyone sailed past (It’s OK as I still believe that windsurfing is only done in the afternoon. It’s a WA thing). Here are some of the pictures

In the afternoon, Diva Tracy took to the boat to take some pictures.

Left to Right: Some German guy, Guido, Pascal, Stewart, Pip, Elyse, Drew, John, Mark, Diva Tracy, Tony, Steph, Warren, Gadget

Everyone was in a great mood, and we decided to have a “Drink the Duty Free” night. Plenty of shenanigans going on, but all in good fun. The bure was party central after lights out!

It was past 02:30 by the time we go to bed, and the morning was a little slow I must admit!

We met with Warren to go through website ideas (stay tuned, it will be up by the end of October). Then we started to get packed.

We had an early flight from Nadi on Saturday morning, so decided to leave the island Friday afternoon and do the 2 hour van trip back to Nadi. Stewart and Jane were on the same flight as us on Saturday.

That evening we went to the resort area of Denarau. It was a bit of a culture shock after the island. Lots of people, neon and music! There were shops tho, and Tracy has a good time browsing. We ended up having Mama’s Pizza for dinner and heading back to the hotel relatively early.

If you want to beat the winter blues, then a trip to Nananu-I-Ra is just the ticket.

All levels of windsurfers are catered for.

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