Wananavu Resort - Rakiraki, Fiji {Honeymoon Part One}

It is good to be home. No matter how fantastic a holiday is, it is always a massive relief to walk through the front door, and to sleep in your own bed.

The first resort that we stayed at for our honeymoon was Wananavu in Rakiraki. Upon arrival at the airport, we met our driver and he told us that Wananavu was 2.5 hours away via road, and a very bumpy ride at that. I am pretty prone to motion sickness so got the front seat, leaving S to swelter in the back.

We usually use a travel agent when going on holiday but I did all of the booking this time, big mistake. The 3 resorts were so far from each other it was bordering on ridiculous. Anyway, more of that later...

These pillows were hell. They were soft, but in a terrible way. As someone who often sleeps without a pillow, that is really saying something. When we asked if they had any other pillows after a crap nights sleep they stuffed 2 into one pillow case which was fine for S but I ended up using a cushion of the couch and had a much better sleep for the rest of the stay.

When we first arrived and S discovered that there was no TV I thought divorce was imminent. He got over it eventually, instead spending all his time on his laptop....

This 'Eggplant Bruschetta' was amazing. All of the food at Wananavu was really quite excellent actually.

Exploring on our first day.

Vero Moda Bikini from ASOS

French Pony Skirt

My sister Cat tried to find 'One Day' for me when she was in Aus for our wedding, with no such luck, after declaring how good it was, so after seeing it in the book store at the Airport I snapped it up and she is right, I loved it!!! Can't wait to see the movie.

Look how white I am here. Did not even know S was taking this photo, otherwise I would have hammed it up a tad more, ha.

Oh yes, I am indeed quite excited. And white.

Here we go, finally getting some colour. Our decking had the most fantastic view, and it was only a few minute walk down to the beach where we spent lots of time kayaking and playing tennis.

S always fantasised about marrying a tennis player when he was younger, so I let him believe it for a few mornings. If you know me, you know I do not play sports. I played tennis in a bikini and bare foot but I did not hear any complaints.

Lorna Jane shorts & Asos Bikini

This was our private pool on the deck, and the temperature was amazing - naturally heated by the sun.

A few times I was floating around, indulging in some topless tanning, when I heard a cheery 'BULA!' and nearly drowned turning over so quickly before the staff appeared to give us a message.

Perfection! The day that we arrived it was 40 degrees and had bursts of heavy down pour on the drive, but the rest of our stay at Wananavu was Wonderful (Wananavu means Wonderful in Fijian!). There were showers every day for about 15 minutes over lunch, but nothing worth complaining about.

We were on a meal plan which included a three course breakfast, lunch and dinner. I am not one to turn away food so indulge I did.

If you go to Wananvu you MUST try the Bligh Burger. Delish.

Hi Skinky.

Not long after this photo was taken, I had just had a great coconut scrub massage at the spa and was returning to our villa past the security staff when the strap of my Gypsy 05 dress snapped, and I may have flashed the staff. I have never moved so quickly. Stupid dress.

Can't trust S to take a photo at night evidently.

Dahlia Dress

RMK Wedges

One thing that I really must mention about Wananavu is the staff. They were all so amazing and friendly, I give their service 100/100. I only have that rating for one more thing, and that will come in my last post.

The semi out door shower, where at any moment you can expect a skink or gecko to appear, and watch you.

After our stay at Wananvu, we were taken by car (2.5 hours again) to Turtle Airways where we had to take a little seaplane to the Yasawa Islands. Our flight was delayed by about 3 hours whilst they waited for the weather to clear. I thought S was going to kill me when he saw the plane. My bad. He was relieved that it did not fly too high though as he figured he could jump into the water if necessary.

Our pilot was a young Mexican guy who wore aviator sunglasses but no shoes.

My life jacket. I was quite excited about the prospect of going on the seaplane!!!

Part 2 - To Be Continued......

Ze Weekend

Over the weekend I babysat Ashleigh-Rose, which turned out to be freaking exhausting.

We also went to the auction if that apartment I mentioned, but S did not love it (he had not seen it previously) so we did not buy it. Oh well, I am sure the right one will come along.

On Saturday I took Ash-Rose shoe shopping, on a mission to find shoes that matched her flower girl dress. What a disaster.

After seeing some silver Guess High Tops (think converse chucks) she was not prepared to try anything else on. Needless to say I did not buy them from her. Plus, they were not even in her size.

She threw a tantrum in Zara because she wanted the leopard print shoes (above) and I said the pink ballerina flats (below) match perfectly.

I even had a random mum helping me out, trying to convince her.

In the end, I got desperate and bought both pairs just so we could get out of there.

I know that I should not let her win, but sometimes it is easier.

On Sunday we had to go to her Tennis training, and her mum had told me to get off the train, and Ash-Rose would know exactly where to go. We get off the train, and she tells me she has no idea, and why should she considering she is always driven.



Long story short, we went to the wrong tennis club, someone drove us to the right tennis club, she missed her lesson but was allowed to join a more advanced group instead.



After her lesson we practiced, and she thinks I am pretty good haha. Anything would impress her.



After that, we had a mission on our hands to find the train station. It took us 35 minutes of walking in the sun (at least I am responsible and doused her with sunscreen before leaving), numerous rest stops, lot's of complaining by her whilst I tried to remain upbeat, but we finally found Darebin Station. Then the train whizzed straight past us and I thought there would be more tears. We did not talk to each other the whole trip home.



I did manage to cheer her up with this sand which from Schnitz though, even after she proclaimed "I HATE THIS SORT OF CHICKEN" before even trying it. As the staff had specially made this schnitzel for her, without any egg, I told her I didn't care and she would freaking eat it.

After 3 mouthfuls she announced that she loved it.

How gross are these potato smiles.

Stuff that I feed her.

After the tennis mission, we took my turtles, Ned & Alby, to the park near Parliament Station and allowed them to roam on the grass and sun bake, they loved life.

I let Ash-Rose take off her shoes and socks and play in the fountain, as all kids should experience this, and she had never been allowed to. She had a blast.

I've also been shopping.

I got this gorgeous Winter Kate silk chiffon dress, which randomly zips up the front of the dress.

It is backless.

Don't mind the wrinkles. My permanent ironer/steamer was not home.



These Gypsy 05 dresses were heavily discounted, just the way I like them.

I think that they will be prefect for Fiji.

I don't have much more to report on, but today we started our fasting period. Oh joy.

Does anyone schedule their posts to show up at a certain time, or just when you write them you post them?