michael jackson wore this jacket in his “thriller” concert tour (we’re not worthy *bow*)
29 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in denarau, entertainment Tags: fiji, hard rock cafe, michael jackson, thriller
this is it! opened today in theaters!!!
the studded leather jacket worn by michael jackson in his thriller world tour is here in hard rock cafe, fiji!
i know, the shots aren’t exactly pro type. i’ll try to post better ones another time. when we get a better camera, that is.
a staff mentioned that some customers have offered to buy it, one even willing to pay $500,000.00, but hard rock cafe refuses to give it up.
it’s quite surreal.
one of the best beaches in the world and a seven-star resort
25 Oct 2009 2 Comments
in beach, resort Tags: beach, best beaches in the world, fiji, intercontinental, natadola, resort
forbes magazine classified natadola (pronounced natandola) among the 25 best beaches in the world. natadola is now home to the intercontinental fiji golf resort and spa, a fantastic 7-star resort that made my jaw drop.
here’s what the publication had to say:
One of the world’s best beaches is now home to the pinnacle of luxury resorts, with the June 1 opening of InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa on Natadola Beach, the pride of Fiji’s Coral Coast.
Spread across 35 acres of tropical gardens, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is the sole destination resort on Natadola Beach – the only stretch of natural, white sand beach on the main island of Fiji, Viti Levu. Protected by a reef to create an aqua-blue ocean facing lagoon, Natadola Beach was voted by Forbes Magazine in 2008 as one of the 25 best beaches in the world.
“Before the InterContinental resort, visitors to Fiji had to travel to the outer islands to find the archipelago’s beautiful beaches, which can add up to a couple of days of travel to the journey. InterContinental Fiji brings that authentic Fijian outer-island experience to the mainland,” said the resort general manager, Neil Houghton. “This is a pristine location that InterContinental Fiji will protect, celebrate and share with the world.”
A true destination resort, InterContinental Fiji has been created to provide a luxurious pacific retreat for discerning travellers seeking more than just a beachside getaway. From the overall design and layout of the resort itself through to the smallest details, InterContinental Fiji is a visitor’s gateway to authentic Fijian experiences.
this year, forbes also included the resort in its 25 sexiest beaches in the world.
the first time we went there last month, it was quite overcast, so please excuse the photos.
train tracks run through the resort.
the chapel.
the boys bodysurfing.
absolutely fantastic.
sevusevu
22 Oct 2009 1 Comment
in special event, tradition Tags: fiji, kava, sevusevu, tradition, yaqona
from fijiatoz.com:
The sevusevu is an important ritual in Fijian culture. It’s a ceremonial offering of kava. If a relative or stranger (including yourself) enters a village, he or she must arrive with the sevusevu (gift of kava). If you are visiting on a tour, your guide will be the person to present the gift to the chief or host. The presenter will give a short speech telling why you have come. The host will invite you to join him for kava – this is traditionally the way to make a stranger feel part of the family, so expect some small talk as well as kava. Usually someone takes responsibility for preparing the yaqona (kava) and another to serve it. Guests and the host sit in a circle on woven mats for the ceremony and the chief or host always has the first shell. Just follow the ceremony and enjoy.
our sevusevu when we got here about eight weeks ago.
we were trying to figure out the species of plantlife around our necks.
the ceremonial drink.
bula!
a walk down the isle (i did not misspell this) part 2
12 Oct 2009 Leave a Comment
in beach, resort, special event Tags: beach wedding, fiji, special event, wedding
the wedding ceremony.
the choir of fijian ladies sitting on the sand. how cool is that?
the flower girls.
one of them is looking under the table…
…probably at the priest’s nike trainers.
a toast to the newlyweds as the sun sets.
the newlyweds with the best man, maid of honor and the flower girl.
as the sun descends…
…a distant drum announces the torchbearer going around the resort to light the tiki torches.
the men head back to the bar, of course.
the bride can finally take a breather.
such a dreamy, romantic atmosphere; almost as if we pulled the scene straight out of our imaginations.
the host breaks the ice, provides the program and makes us laugh.
there were lots of dancing…
…and singing.
the surprise of my life: when a slow islands song came on, some of the gents just suddenly yelled as they got off their seats from the dining table, took off their shirts and danced around the bride and groom. it’s a samoan thing.
a wild and wacky, completely wonderful wedding!
congratulations and best wishes, fred and romy! hope you liked our gift!
a walk down the isle (i did not misspell this) part 1
11 Oct 2009 1 Comment
in beach, resort, special event Tags: beach wedding, fiji, resort, sonaisali, wedding
fred and romy’s wedding at sonaisali beach
got ready for fred and romy’s wedding at home. ado wore a formal sulu.
to get to sonaisali, we had to take a boat from this small port.
arriving in sonaisali.
the “fiji warriors” getting ready.
meeting the groom in the lobby. he is samoan, now settled in auckland, nz.
mother of the groom.
father of the bride. he is kailoma (meztizo, more like the insulares. they are of british lineage) from fiji.
the priest with the groom and the best man. to the right is the choir of fijian ladies. the altar is in a bure.
guests waiting for the bridal party. guests came all the way over from samoa, new zealand and australia. and i, well, came from the philippines.
mother of the bride. she is from new zealand.
the bridal boat now in sight.
the drummer beats the lali signaling the arrival of the bride.
and the choir takes its place by the boardwalk to meet her with songs.
while the guests look on in anticipation.
and the father of the bride anxiously awaits to walk his daughter down the sand.
here comes the bridal party.
the flower girls.
the maid of honor.
and the bride.
marching to the altar.
(part 2 next entry)
this is where i am
09 Oct 2009 7 Comments
in beach, denarau, manila, resort
i used to live here:
now i live here:
i used to hang out here:
now i hang out here:
i am a filipina in fiji.
i am a fijipina.
say a little something