The Healing Power of Travel: A Fijian Retreat
A journey that starts and ends with a breathtaking helicopter ride: here is the aerial view inbound to the lagoon of Likuliku Resort
One of the many ways to reach Likuliku from Nadi is by chartering a helicopter flight.
Island hopping via helicopter
If you’ve found this via my long format/youtube channel , thanks for checking out the rest of my work. If you’d like to see a summary edit of this trip, be sure the check out part 1 and part 2. As always, I appreciate the opportunity to earn your continued support by subscribing to my channel and regularly checking out this blog.
In a world that sometimes feels overwhelming and fast-paced, the healing power of travel can be transformative. It's a potent elixir for the soul, a reminder that there's a profound connection between the places we visit and our mental well-being. Our journey to Fiji, a place of pristine beauty and profound serenity, revealed the true essence of this transformative power.
Honeymoon Revisited: Five Years Later
Staying in the very private and scenic over the water bure proved to be the highlight of our first visit in 2018.
Five years ago, we embarked on a journey to Fiji for our honeymoon. I consider myself a seasoned traveler and professional at blending vacation and adventure—despite what you might think, these are not synonymous. Having visited dozens of oceanic destinations—from the coastline of Japan, the Philippines, and even Indonesia—our first visit to Fiji reshaped our view of travel. To be brief, our intentions to return to this part of the South Pacific would be vital to our well-being.
Keeping our goals in sight, in 2023, we celebrated our five-year wedding anniversary by returning to the Mamanuca islands. In the heart of the South Pacific, we found Likuliku Lagoon Resort, a hidden gem nestled on a private island. The mere sight of this paradise, framed by lush palm trees and caressed by the turquoise embrace of the Pacific Ocean, is a balm for any weary souls.
Beneath the Waves: World-class Snorkeling
Certainly an abundance and variety of ocean dwellers. These Black Tip Reef sharks hang around the posts and coral nearest the pier. Tried my best to keep good distance, but these little guys had big puppy energy.
Schools of tropical fish surround the waters of the lagoon.
Plenty of sea life to seek out near the welcoming pier of the resort at Likuliku.
Island-Hopping Adventures: Monuriki Island and Mociu (Honeymoon Island)
Our inaugural visit to Likuliku was spent mostly in our over-the-water bure, where we could see the sea life from our own private viewing deck and a glass bottom floor—in between the opulent treatment and snacks, we simply walked the grounds—respite from our former lives in DC, an celebration of our then recent nuptials, and preparation for the rest of our trip to New Zealand.
The focus of our trip in 2023 was to take advantage of the excursions that could be had from Likuliku. Borrowing a Hobie Cat and kayaks can be quickly arranged at their activities bure—even scuba diving lessons and outings can be booked for those looking to get a closer glimpse of the active reefs. On my next visit, I plan on building out projects that will allow me to focus on my surfing and surf photography—world class breaks are but a short boat ride from Likuliku.
Traveling as a couple means focusing on activities we can both enjoy and the resort makes booking outings such as island hopping as simple as ordering your breakfast. One of our island-hopping adventures led us to Monuriki Island, a place etched in cinematic history as the backdrop for "Cast Away." Here, nature's serenity enveloped us. The lush forests, panoramic vistas, and the enchanting calls of native birds became our companions in solitude. We discovered that nature, in its unspoiled splendor, can be a salve for the weary mind.
Monuriki Island, known for being the backdrop for “Cast Away” with Tom Hanks
On our last morning, we were fortunate enough to book a visit to Mociu private island, better known as Honeymoon Island. To see the sunrise, we met at the boat launch well before the sun came up and were warmly greeted by Ben and the crew. QUICK NOTE: Ben has great stories to tell, is a veteran, family man, seasoned waterman—all the staff at Likuliku make the experience of visiting their home…home.
Its a straight shot (in the dark) from the boat launch over to Mociu Island. After a brief and steep hike through some brush, we were blessed with easily the most breathtaking sunrise and a view of Malolo and the surrounding islands. (The champagne breakfast at the top was very welcomed.)
Witnessing Cloudbreak's Majesty
You’d think that the focus of this whole note was to highlight some serious surfing. Spoiler: it was not. The swell had not filled in at that point in May, and we were early by about a week. Nevertheless, I was beckoned to see Cloudbreak, Fiji's renowned surf mecca, for myself. It wasn't about conquering the waves this time; it was about bearing witness to the ocean's raw, untamed power. I’ve seen open water before, and despite the swell not being what I envisioned, the waves thundered and crashed in awe-inspiring displays of nature's force—beyond what I had ever experienced. The lack of surfers and other boats around was a telling sign. We did a jaunt over to Tavarua and didn’t spot a single soul. The crew knew the current was strong and the lack of clarity would keep us out of the water—so we opted to view some monstrous sets from the safety of the boat. It was a humbling few hours and a reminder of the vastness and unpredictability of our world.
Versa and veritas:
I’m still getting the hang of trying to stay true to this blog work—I could say so much about this past trip to Fiji. In the end, it was largely an intimate excursion, so I’ll abstain from droning on and retain the integrity in that manner. Future blogs and long format work related to my projects will have a different tone and highlight endeavors with more intention.
If you are interested in seeing more photos from this 2023 trip, checkout the Pixie site I created for Likuliku.
https://photophilproductions.pixieset.com/likuliku_fiji2023/
Coasting Forward.
My intention with traveling to these surf meccas is to blend project work and leisure—I want to really lean into this life. This past year would have been considered a test to see how the logistics around this lifestyle could be managed. After taking some time to assess my path, I'm excited to announce that I am refocusing my craft on surf photography and documentary work. This passion has always been at the core of my artistic journey, and I am fully committed to dedicating my skills and creativity to capturing the beauty and raw emotion of the ocean and the surf culture surrounding it. From epic wave shots to intimate stories of surfers and surrounding communities, my lens will be focused on bringing these narratives to life. I can't wait to dive deeper into this world and share my vision with you all.