Elisa Elwin explores the magic of a Fijian holiday for teenagers with her two almost adult daughters Sam and Tori, exploring the northern Yasawa Islands and the colourful Coral Coast.
Family-friendly fun
Fijians really are happy people. Their relaxed energy calms everyone, while their laughter and good humour is infectious. Every Fijian we met smiled and looked us in the eyes. There was laughter and music everywhere we went. At our first fantastic overnight at the Sonasali Island Resort, we were friends by check in, addressed by name and treated as family by our first fantastic dinner. From toddlers to teens every child we met had the same look of happiness, and every parent was peacefully watching their kids being enjoyed and cherished.
So beautiful.
The Fijian people are beautiful and the Fijian Islands breathtakingly so. The northern Yasawas with all their small, inhabited village islands and palm trees beckoned, and Captain Cook Cruises Fiji gave us a taste. There is nothing quite like a cruise to take you away from the pressures of every day. Facebook and iPhones are forgotten with the daily parade of divine islands, for snorkelling, swimming, visiting and spending time getting to know the villagers. Each island is more beautiful than the last and every child is treated as a valued guest. Laughter and joy is a part of every gorgeous Captain Cook Cruise day. Each evening, watching the dramatic sunsets, we felt our connection and harmony returning.
Totally relaxed
Not too far
Fiji is no big deal for travel or jet lag. Fiji Airways fly to Nadi every day in around four hours from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. It’s an easy trip and there’s only a two-hour time difference. There was no stress in our travel plans and no down time needed to recover from the journey home.
Put that ‘fab four’ together and you have your dream holiday with kids. The motto from Tourism Fiji, ‘Fiji, where happiness finds you’ is just simple truth.
It found us, in bucket loads. We have already booked our next mother/daughter holiday there in 2014.
FAST FACTS
Getting there
Fiji Airways operate daily flights from most Australian capital cities to Nadi.
Money
The currency is the Fijian Dollar (FJD). At the time of writing, AUD$1 buys you FJD $1.67
Where to stay
The Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort
Cruising Fiji
More information
Images: Elisa Elwin