glamping in fiji Archives

November 3, 2014November 10, 2014

How Do You Go Beach Glamping? I’ll Take Mine with a Thatched Roof

I’m a sucker for thatched roofs. What summertime concert experience beats hanging out at a Parrothead’s thatched roof trailer bar while tailgating at a Jimmy Buffett concert? And there’s nothing more adventurous than a thatched roof villa in the middle of the jungle. The best place to enjoy a thatched roof villa, cabina, cabana, casita or palapa is on beach, accompanied a book or beverage of your choice. Here is a worldwide sampling of some fantastic thatched-roof-glamping-beach-book-and-beverage locations to consider for your next experiential journey.

Asia

When a resort refers to itself as a “beach camp,” you instantly know you’ve found a place that understands beach glamping. Beach Camp Yala in Sri Lanka emphasizes a “passion for two things – wildlife camping and hospitality,” which is glamping, simply stated. A stay at Yala combines a great beach vacation with the option of a guided safari to view elephants, sloth bears, and the largest leopard population on the island.

Central America

All of the luxury villas at El Secreto in Ambergris Caye, Belize have thatched roofs, and the name of the game is snorkeling and diving- with the Belize Barrier Reef right on the doorstep. El Secreto, or “the secret,” may be named for the fact that it has a “privileged and secluded location on North Ambergris Caye,” a prized aspect of glamping done right.

South America

If kite surfing is your game, or you just want to try it, the thatched roof cabanas of Pueblo Barrancas in Uruguay are the answer. The luxury glamping dwellings are nestled into the hillside in plain view of the beach, and yurts are offered as well.

Europe

You’d be right to guess Spain as a European country with thatched roof huts near the beach. At Casas Karen, they are referred to as “chozas de paja,” or “straw huts.“ Glamping.com previously highlighted a report from The Guardian that named Casas Karen number 7 on the Top Ten Luxury Campsites in the world. It’s said to be on “one of the last wild coasts in Southern Spain.”

Africa

As I stated before, placing the word “beach” in the name of the resort saves a whole lot of trouble, and another prime location has embraced this wisdom. Dugong Beach Lodge in Mozambique has 12 luxuriously appointed, air-conditioned (thatched roof!) chalets inside the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, all of which are exquisitely ensconced on a beautiful beach.

Oceania

Located on a former cocoanut plantation on a fabulous beach on the Island of Fiji are 25 thatched roof “bures” and a luxury villa all exquisitely appointed by the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort. It’s Fiji- need I say more? If so, check out Jen Bianco’s entertaining blog entry here.

The definition of glamping can vary widely. If glamping is your goal but you’re not sure, then adopt this simple rule of thumb- when in doubt, thatched roof=glamping. Now go hit the sand!

Kerry Devine

www.glamping.com

October 9, 2014October 30, 2014

Day 3 At Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji

One of the things I like most about this resort is that everyday their is a different theme to the activities and outings. Today’s theme was “Fijian Culture.” Some of the activities offered were Fijian Storytelling and an outing to nearby Nukubalavu Village.

We stayed on the property and enjoyed breakfast and a cooking demonstration where we learned to make coconut stuffed plantains braised in coconut milk. This dish was on the menu for tonight’s dinner so it was fun getting to learn how to make it ourselves.

Most of the day was spend in the Serenity Area around the pool and reading in the hammock at our bure. It rained on and off during the day but that did not seem to keep anyone from having fun.

Lunch was exceptional– with salmon served on udon noodles as the standout dish. The thinly sliced pork was also tangy and delicious.

You’re well fed at the Jean-Michel Cousteau resort, but the portion sizes aren’t huge, which is nice when you’re spending most of your day rocking a bathing suit.

I drank a few young green coconuts and also decided to try the fresh lemonade made with local Fijian lemons which really hit the spot during the heat of the afternoon.

The clouds were extremely beautiful during the magic hour before sunset, making me sad to be leaving tomorrow.

The evening activities were particularly fun since dinner was traditional Fijian Lovo buffet. Lovo means cooked underground while wrapped in leaves and fish, pork, and chicken were prepared this way.

It was fun to watch the lovo pit for the few hours before dinner to see the leaves before and then the meat being pulled out once it was cooked.

While I might attempt the coconut milk braised plantains, I’m going to leave the lovo cooking to the Fijians!

The dishes were served in baskets and platters woven out of local leaves. It was a great dinner.

The evening’s entertainment included a traditional kava ceremony and music from the Kava Boys. There was also a special meke dance performance from school aged children from Nukubalavu Village.

Since most of the resort’s staff is from this village, many of the performers were children or relatives from the attentive staff we’ve gotten to know during our stay. This added to the home-like atmosphere that the resort fosters.

While I’m sorry for my stay to be ending, I felt that tonight’s entertainment was a highlight that won’t be forgotten.

This has been such an amazing South Pacific glamping adventure. I want to say vinaka (that means “thank you” in Fijian) to Mark, Bart and all the staff at the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort and Glamping.com for making this trip possible.

Jen Bianco

www.glamping.com

October 7, 2014October 7, 2014

Day 2 at Jean-Michael Cousteau Resort in Fiji

Day 2 at Jean-Michel Cousteau resort started with waking up to the sounds of morning rain against the thatched roof of our bure.

The room was still cozy so I made some local Fijian coffee with the coffee maker in the room and read for a bit before heading over to the main bure for breakfast.

The staff is so personable here, they make sure you never go more than a few minutes without being asked if you need anything. I ordered a Flat White (my favorite Australian morning beverage) and the spicy omelette which was one of the featured specials.

The rain continued intermittently throughout the morning, but that did not stop much activity. Guests were enjoying swimming in the pool and many of the other activities the resort has going on each day.

My husband and I chatted with Bart, the hotel’s operations director who told us that the rain was supposed to let up in the late morning and clear up by lunch. He suggested we take a trip to the resort’s private island during the afternoon.

After a light (and delicious) lunch of lamb and soup, Gabby from the activities center loaded us up on one of the resort’s boats for the 5 minute ride to the island.

The boat ride was beautiful and fun and few hours spent on the private island were an unforgettable highlight of the trip.

The island has a kayak for two, bathroom facilities, a beach hut with a table, and two chairs located at the exact point where high tide hits. Gabby left us with a color full of Fiji Gold Beer and water, an emergency medical kit, and a two-way radio so we could contact him if we wanted to be picked up earlier than the designated time we set a few hours later.

My only regret was forgetting to bring my snorkel gear– the island is surrounded by crystal clear water and would have been an excellent place to snorkel.

It was fun to frolic on a truly private beach, and when the sun got too strong to cool off in the beach hut with a cold Fiji Gold.

When we left the island I understood why guests like to book it for a special picnic lunch or a romantic dinner.

My afternoon on the private island is one I’ll never forget.

Once Gabby returned and got us back to the resort, it was time to drink a young green coconut. We had light snacks in the bar before heading back to our bure for the night.

Jen Bianco

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