WELCOME TO BEQA LAGOON RESORT, FIJI

Transcription

1 WELCOME TO BEQA LAGOON RESORT, FIJI NI SA BULA! Welcome to your true Fijian cultural experience. The most striking feature of Beqa Lagoon Resort is its tradition and seclusion. Only 36 square kilometers, Beqa Island has no roads, no towns and only a few isolated villages scattered around the coastline. Sitting protected in a small bay, Beqa Lagoon Resort is located between the villages of Raviravi and Rukua. Connected to us by shady pathways you are welcome to join our local guide on a visit into the villages where you will observe daily life in Fiji, something which still follows cultural traditions hundreds of years old. During your visit you may be invited into the home of the village Chief, if he is around, where you will learn more about the history of his community. A proud extension of our neighboring villages, Beqa Lagoon Resort employs over 75 local staff, who in turn support over 250 family members and friends. We are also proud to be part of developing the community by hosting international doctors, dentists and school teachers. By being a guest at Beqa Lagoon Resort you become a part of our community too. Join us for our weekly activities where we will guide you to the villages where you can purchase local handmade crafts, visit the local school and meet the children who are always happy to share songs and stories, and be a part of traditional ceremonies such as a sevusevu, the drinking of kava as a gift and show of respect. Hear the tale of how Beqa Island became home of the Legendary Firewalkers, listen as the story of the spirit god blessed a Chief and then witness the truth of the story. Watch village warriors, in traditional dress, unearth stones that have been surrounded by fire. Then see as they chant and walk across these stones in a ceremony they have been practicing for over 300 years. In the evenings, sit back and enjoy as the children of Raviravi delight you with their Meke, telling stories of old about Gods, warriors and village life, through beautiful songs and enchanting dances. After, make yourself comfortable on the ibe, floor mats handmade from pandanus leaves as you clap along during a famous sevusevu ceremony as a bilo, or coconut cup, of kava is presented to you to drink. A short walk from Beqa Lagoon Resort the land slopes gently upward into a tropical forest, whereas the trees start to open up you will come across a fresh water stream descending from a waterfall. Here the jungle vegetation occasionally gives way to patches of sweet potatoes, pineapples and taro root, but all in all, the land remains pristine. Tropical flowers bloom everywhere, and the tables at the resort are always filled with fresh cuttings. Meet the farmers along the way and extend a friendly Bula. You arrive as a guest. But once you see our villages, talk to our children, clap along with our songs, and drink from our bilo all while enjoying our stunningly beautiful island you leave as family. Beqa Lagoon Resort Room Descriptions Spread throughout 6 acres of lush tropical gardens and beach front our intimate resort features 25 deluxe, private air-conditioned bures. Each of these bures is generously sized at nearly 430 square feet (40 square

2 meters) and all are beautifully decorated with a traditional island feel. Enjoy pure decadence as you return to you room after dinner to our complimentary turn down service, with hushed lighting you can let the day ebb away. 12 stunning beachfront bures adorn the shoreline, each with their own private garden and large private sundeck with sun loungers and hammocks. Why not spend an afternoon cooled by the ocean breezes as you enjoy the private plunge pool of the beach front bures, or even have a private dinner on your deck as the sun sets. These rooms are appointed with a comfortable seating area and large open bathrooms. All of the rooms are supplied with fresh spring water straight from the mountains of Beqa. Follow over water wooden walkways to one of 6 charming bures that wrap around our koi pond, 3 very private bures are nestled in gorgeous tropical gardens. All of the bures are air-conditioned, and have ceiling fans. There are also tea and coffee facilities as well as a fully stock mini-bar, complimentary turndown service, and a laundry service for a small charge. Wireless internet is available throughout the resort and bures for a fee. Dining Listen for the beating of the lali drums over ocean breezes signaling the time to gather. Follow winding garden paths and lantern lit walkways to the spacious open air Bure Kalou, the meeting point at the center of the village, for mealtime. A time to make friends and share stories, all with the background of the South Pacific Ocean. Join us in the early evening for happy hour, perfectly timed to allow you to sit along the water and watch the sun set. Every night we sample a different signature cocktail. Sample from our internationally recognized gourmet menus freshly prepared by Head Chef Lala using the best local and international products. Accompany your meal with a glass of wine from our international wine list, a local Fiji beer, or one of our signature cocktails, such as the Kichi Boom or a Famous Fire Walker. Our meal plan allows each guest to have their choice of fresh fruits and bread as well as a hot breakfast to start their day, a satisfying lunch to refuel after the mornings activities, and a delicious three course dinner to socialize over at the end of the day. Just make sure that you don t miss any of Lala s mouthwatering desserts. Water sports Kayaking, paddleboards and snorkeling. Land sports Hiking, nature walks. Beach/pools Pool.

3 BEQA LAGOON RESORT FAQ Where is Beqa Lagoon Resort located? Our resort is located on Beqa Island, which is a 45 minute boat ride from the main island of Viti Levu, You will arrive into Nadi International Airport, from where you will have a 2.5 hour scenic drive along Fiji s Coral Coast, arriving in Pacific Harbour where our boats depart from. Please be aware that we do not provide boat transfers at night. Are the bures air-conditioned? Yes, all bures are air-conditioned as well as having fans and mosquito screens. Can I visit local villages on my own? Yes, the villages are a short trail from our resort. Can I change money at the resort? Yes, you can. But please note that all purchases at the resort during your stay are billed to your room. No money needed during your stay. Pay by cash or credit card before your departure. The approximate exchange rate is 1.75 Fiji Dollar to the US Dollar. Are there mosquitos? With being a tropical environment, mosquitoes are often found at dusk and dawn. In order to make it more comfortable for our guests we provide mosquito repellent spray in the lounge area throughout the day, and we also provide mosquito repellent plug-ins to use in your bure at night. Do you have accommodation for families? Yes, we have spacious two bedroom family suites that have a large living and dining area. What is your power supply? All electrical power is 240V and the socket is Australian style 3 prong. While most appliances are able to run at 110v or 240v we recommend that you check the markings on the adapter, and if needed we do have 110v charging points for guests to use in the office. Do you have laundry service? Yes, for a nominal fee. Do you have telephone and fax? Yes, for a nominal fee. Are your bures smoke-free? Yes. Our dining and lounge area, and boats are non-smoking areas. Is your pool salt of fresh water? All of the private plunge pools in the beach front rooms, and the main pool are freshwater. Pool towels are provided free of charge to guests. Do you have phones or TV in the bures? No. The resorts focus is on relaxation, rejuvenation and diving adventures. What meal plan do you provide? Due to our island location there are not restaurants around so we provide a full meal plan consisting of a hot breakfast, full lunch, and a three course dinner. Coffee and hot tea, as well as ice tea, is available free of charge throughout the day. The menu changes daily and is prepared fresh using local produce. Do you cater to vegetarians or vegans? Yes, we are able to provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten free meals as well as for allergies you might have. Please just let us know of any special dietary requirements that you may have. Does it rain a lot? Fiji is a tropical, green paradise. Most rain happens during the night unless a weather system is in the vicinity. Do I need a watch? This is a personal choice. We have clocks around the resort and all happenings are announced Fijian style with by the rhythmical sound of the lali (wooden drum), and we can provide wake-up calls in the morning, so you may not wear it all the time, but we are not going to stop you from bringing one. Do you have a doctor on property? We do not have a doctor on property at Beqa Lagoon Resort. We are located a short boat ride from Pacific Harbor, on the mainland of Viti Levu, where there is a doctor located that we are able to contact if we so need to.

4 Is Fiji safe? Yes! Fiji is a safe country. However, like everywhere else, you need to exercise caution. Do not wear flashy jewelry and carry large amounts of cash. Our resort is located on an island without roads and is very safe and far from harm. What kind of nightlife to you have at the resort? We have lots going on at night to keep you entertained. Take part in our famous yaqona (kava) ceremony, watch traditional cultural performances with our meke, and sit back and listen to the local church choir sing or our nightly live local band play. If you re not part-taking in the daily happy hour you can join us for a night dive from our boats, or just from the shore. Afterwards you can tell stories of how big the shark in the shadow really was over dinner with friends. As a country, Fiji is not a place with nightclubs and disco s, so please enjoy the relaxing and quiet pace of the evenings. How can I pay my bill when I check out? You can pay in Fiji dollars or US dollars, by MasterCard, Visa or American Express. We do accept traveler s checks for a nominal fee that the bank levies. Do you have a spa? Yes. Our Lali spa has a wide variety of spa treatments to keep you coming back for more. Using Pure Fiji products the spa ladies will remove any stresses you may have. Can we get married at your resort? Yes, we are able to accommodate marriages and renewal of vows which are recognized in your home country. Please contact us at info@beqalagoonresort.com for more information. Will I be able to enter a Fijian s home? Yes, because of our island location and our close relationship with the local villages it is more than likely that you will be invited into a Fijian home. This is something that is very unlikely to happen on the mainland, but please do not enter without an invitation. Can I buy souvenirs at the resort? Yes, we have a boutique that sells souvenirs and wooden handicrafts as well as toiletries, batteries, snacks, Pure Fiji products and has a nice selection of clothing, so you can always find that perfect Bula shirt or Sulu (sarong) for our Fiji Friday party. What about tipping? Resorts in Fiji typically have what they call a Christmas Fund. Tips are collected throughout the year and disbursed amongst all staff just before Christmas. Do you have a safe in the room? Yes, all rooms have a safe. Can I snorkel from the beach? Yes, we have a marine protected house reef for snorkeling and diving from shore. Do you have dive courses? Yes, we are a PADI 5 star certified Dive Resort. Our on-site instructors are able to teach courses from ranging all the way from introductory diving to entry level professional level, such as assistant instructor. We also have a wide range of rental equipment available. Can I dive if I am not a certified diver? Yes, we are able to offer an introductory discover scuba diving experience for our non-certified guests. If this is something you enjoy you have the option to continue and become a certified diver by completing the PADI Open Water certification. This is something that takes as little as three days.

5 BEQA LAGOON DIVE SHOP - PADI 5-STAR Diving equipment rental daily $ 6.00 Wetsuit $ BCD $ Regulator w/ gauges & octopus $ Scuba set (BCD, regulator w/gauges & octopus) $ Scuba set (BCD, regulator and computer) $ 9.00 Dive light 10% discount given on weekly rentals Dive packages Nitrox: $20 per day or $110 unlimited $ Discover Scuba $ Shark Dive Upgrade from 2 tank dive $ Shark Dive as add-on dive $ Night Dive * $ Afternoon 1-Tank boat Dive * * Tank rentals include use of weights and weight belt. Dive FAQ Do you provide dive courses? Yes, we have courses for certified divers to continue their education as well as various classes for non-divers to try it out or get started. Do I have to have my own equipment to dive? We understand with excess luggage charges and space allowance not everyone wants to travel with their own equipment, so we have a full range of rental equipment available for our guests. Please feel free to let us know in advance what you might need. Can I dive with you if I have a certification from other than PADI? Yes, we do accept certifications of other recognized agencies. Do you have Nitrox? Yes we have nitrox available, whether you want to use it for just one day of diving, or take advantage of our week long package, giving you the best value for your money. $20.00 US per day or $110 US unlimited. Do I have to sign up in advance for the Special Shark Dive? We highly recommend booking this dive in advance to avoid missing out. We are currently only running the dive on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with limited spaces available. Is there a Decompression Chamber nearby? Yes, in cases of diving emergencies, divers will be taken by sea and road or low flying aircraft to the Fiji Recompression Chamber Facility in Suva. Charges vary according to circumstances so it is best to have adequate insurance cover. Do you recommend a wet suit for diving? Our water temperature ranges from 75 f to 84 f. Most of our guests are comfortable in a 3mm suit during our warm months (November through March) and a 5mm suit the rest of the year. Ultimately it does depend on your personal comfort with the water temperature. Do you have a pool to get started with diving? Yes, we have a fresh water pool to start your confined water dives in. Can I start my dive course online or at my local dive shop and then continue to receive certification at the resort? Yes. We understand you don t want to spend all of your holiday reading books and doing tests, so you are more than welcome to do your theory back home through your local dive center.

6 Do you have boat night dives on the reef? Yes. We usually offer our guests night dives from our boat at least once a week, or more often if they want to. What time of day are your dives? Our divers meet at the dive center at 7:45am and the boats depart at 8:00am. With two dives as standard and a nice long surface interval, the boats are usually returning to the bay at about 1:00pm, just in time for lunch. How far away are your dive sites? Each of our sites are chosen on a daily basis depending on the weather, so that we may give our divers the best conditions Beqa Lagoon has to offer. Most of our sites range from minutes away. How many divers will be on a boat? While each of our boats are certified for a certain number of divers, we limit this number to depending on the vessel in order to give our divers the most comfortable diving we can. Do you have oxygen on the boat? Yes, all of our boats are fully supplied with all the safety equipment needed, including emergency oxygen.