Tivua Island - Day 1 aboard Captain Cook Cruises
By Cruising With Honey - 13:30
It's Cruise Day
Tivua Island
Let's get the money shot
10, 9 (okay, I’ve set the timer) 8, 7, 6 (God I hope the tripod doesn’t tip over) 5, 4 (now RUN Honey, as far as you can down the pier, but don’t trip) 3, 2 (now pose, look natural) 1 (was the photo taken? Ugh, I can’t see the phone screen. Everyone thinks I’m a dill. I’m hot, the water looks so inviting. Stop it, stay focused Honey, you’re in the most perfectly picturesque location, now get back to work and get that shot!)
I dropped off my luggage and proceeded to Captain Cook’s Fiji One catamaran to do my rapid test. Shining with the light of a hundred dressing room light bulbs, Nurse Mexy efficiently and painlessly did my swab. (watch the video). A few minutes later, my test came back negative, dissolving any last obstacle to taking my first cruise in nearly two years.
Watch me board
As I lined up for boarding, I could already hear the melodious voices of the crew – or should I say, my new family – welcoming the guests onto the Reef Endeavour. It wasn’t unlike large ship cruising; the excitement was genuine, the heady sense of impending adventure palpable, but on a smaller, more intense level. But, at the same time, a complete and utter sense of calm. It’s hard to explain, but I can only attribute it to the Fijian Bula Spirit.
In its essence, the Bula Spirit is an intoxicating sense of joy. The feeling of being enveloped in love, a genuine welcoming. It’s judgement-free and untainted with pretence. Authentic, gentle, kind. For foreigners jaded from years of living in big cities and big egos, the Fijian default approach immediately breaks down barriers and creates a deep human connection. If this is the only reason to travel to Fiji, then it is enough.
The beauty of small ship cruising is the lack of excessive protocol and procedure large ships require. After checking out my cabin (I was upgraded to a Tabua Suite) and had a bite to eat, we were sailing.
There are over 330 islands in Fiji, and I want to make it my life’s mission to explore each one. Many would say all islands are similar, sand, palm trees and water. However, each is unique and leaves you with a unique memory. Tivua is not an exception.
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| Sometimes, it takes lots of attempts to get the 'shot'....One of the outakes. |
You’d be forgiven if you assumed I’d suffered a touch of heatstroke, reading my inner monologue, but come hell or highwater, I was going to get that perfect Insta-shot. And, after eleventy-hundred attempts, my ridiculously neon gown clinging to sweaty curves, I ditched the selfie-photo shoot, stripped lickety-split, and surrendered myself to the waters of Tivua.
But, let me rewind.
My cheeks were already sore from smiling – this moment melted the last two years of Covid-induced anxiety away.
Up early the next day, I couldn’t quite believe that today was cruise day! The excitement bubbled like a vigorously shaken can of Coke. Obviously, I arrived ridiculously early, scoping out every angle of the Reef Endeavour, bouncing around yelling out “BULA” to any crew member who I happened to catch the slightest glimpse of.
Watch my excitement before boarding
But, let me rewind.
A warm (and humid) arrival
I’d landed in the Magical Land Of Fiji the day before, settled into the Palms Apartments (so convenient as the port is literally across the road) and had dinner at popular Cardo’s as I bathed in the golden rays of my first Fijian sunset.
My cheeks were already sore from smiling – this moment melted the last two years of Covid-induced anxiety away.
Up early the next day, I couldn’t quite believe that today was cruise day! The excitement bubbled like a vigorously shaken can of Coke. Obviously, I arrived ridiculously early, scoping out every angle of the Reef Endeavour, bouncing around yelling out “BULA” to any crew member who I happened to catch the slightest glimpse of.
Watch my excitement before boarding
I dropped off my luggage and proceeded to Captain Cook’s Fiji One catamaran to do my rapid test. Shining with the light of a hundred dressing room light bulbs, Nurse Mexy efficiently and painlessly did my swab. (watch the video). A few minutes later, my test came back negative, dissolving any last obstacle to taking my first cruise in nearly two years.
Watch me board
What is the Fijian Bula Spirit
In its essence, the Bula Spirit is an intoxicating sense of joy. The feeling of being enveloped in love, a genuine welcoming. It’s judgement-free and untainted with pretence. Authentic, gentle, kind. For foreigners jaded from years of living in big cities and big egos, the Fijian default approach immediately breaks down barriers and creates a deep human connection. If this is the only reason to travel to Fiji, then it is enough.
The beauty of small ship cruising is the lack of excessive protocol and procedure large ships require. After checking out my cabin (I was upgraded to a Tabua Suite) and had a bite to eat, we were sailing.
It was only just past 3pm and we were loaded onto the glass-bottomed boat and on our way to Tivua Island. Again, I looked utterly ridiculous in my gown, surrounded by swimming-costume clad fellow passengers clutching their snorkelling gear. I tried very hard to not make eye-contact with these lovely people who snuck looks of mild perplexity. I tried ESP, “I promise I’m not a weirdo. It’s for the Gram. Thankfully, there were much more interesting things to look at, such as the World’s Biggest Swimming Pool AKA Tivua Island.
Watch my videos here:
Tell me about Tivua
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| Drone Pic courtesy of Anne (fellow passenger and incredible free diver) |
There are over 330 islands in Fiji, and I want to make it my life’s mission to explore each one. Many would say all islands are similar, sand, palm trees and water. However, each is unique and leaves you with a unique memory. Tivua is not an exception.
Captain Cook Cruises CEO Allison Haworth West describes this gorgeous spot as “The World’s Biggest Swimming Pool”, and indeed it’s not hard to see why.
Owned my Captain Cook Cruises, Tivua is surrounded by a beautiful coral reef, the water is some of the clearest I’ve ever seen and it’s dotted with glorious swaying palms. It’s not commercialised so it has retained its secluded charm, however there are unobtrusive creature comforts in the form of shady huts to park one’s body and enjoy the utter relaxation. There is a little ‘house’ of sorts that will soon be getting a makeover. I envision it will be transformed into a private, luxury escape – the perfect romantic experience. Stay tuned.
After immersing myself in the warm waters, it was time to head home. Happy and looking forward to meeting more crew (and eating dinner).
Sunset aboard Reef Endeavour
After immersing myself in the warm waters, it was time to head home. Happy and looking forward to meeting more crew (and eating dinner).
Once again, I was awash with tranquillity.
The ship was quiet. I positioned myself aft, to enjoy the wake. The sky started changing, streaks of new colours appeared. I imagined the Creator dipping their fingers in a universal paintbox, tracing the heavens, swirling the hues for our amusement and pleasure. As the sun set, the emblazoned horizon glimmered and transformed by the second. I tried to drink in this beauty, grateful for every moment of life. Darkness descended.
With a full stomach (dinner was a delicious a la carte 3-course affair), I lay in bed thinking about the fun crew who had us all up and dancing – and the exciting day that I was privileged to experience. The gentle rock of the ship lulled me to sleep; still smiling and utterly pleased.
The end of Day 1
With a full stomach (dinner was a delicious a la carte 3-course affair), I lay in bed thinking about the fun crew who had us all up and dancing – and the exciting day that I was privileged to experience. The gentle rock of the ship lulled me to sleep; still smiling and utterly pleased.
Honey is once again, cruising.
