Mike -

I heard your radio podcast when Melissa was at Namale ! NICE JOB!  Your accent is great for radio.  I loved the idea about an evening in the Spa with the candles …would have never thought of it. Do you have any other guest ideas from the past to share?

A. VanGoey
Eagle, Colorado
Romantic Namale Spa Resort

Bula Bula Mike,

Even though it's been a month since our wonderful trip to Vomo Island Resort, it's still the topic of conversation. Thank you for recommending Vomo Island. My wife and I really bonded with the locals. We became part of the family drinking Kava up in the staff quarters a couple times. We had a great trip! ….no schedules, no TV, no phones…..just what we needed.

The only thing I'd like to set up if we make a return trip is to spend the last day on the island versus going to Nadi Airport and having the room in the hotel. We didn't care much for the hotel and would have much rather spent more time at the resort, then flown to Nadi Airport and stayed there until our flight home.

Thanks again for the suggestions and making the arrangements. We especially appreciated having a beach-front villa by itself without another one attached to it.

Vinaka vaka levu,
T. Kale
Potomac Falls, Virginia
Your Romantic Island Escape

Bula Robin,

I can't believe it's over :-( We had such a great time. Everything was absolutely fantastic, the whole experience (except the flight back, we had a mechanical problem and had to fly back to Nadi. So we were 4 hours late getting home).

We absolutely loved Navutu and the Yasawas. The resort was great - clean, great people, amazing food, and so much more. It was tidal, but we knew that and it was not a big deal. Most mornings we swam at the resort, because there were some great swimming spots there. We took picnics to some great beaches in the afternoon, which the hotel recommended.

We used the spa quite a bit, and it was great. Got to meet the owners and they were so nice. Everyone there was so friendly and welcoming. We really experienced a lot of great things: visited the limestone caves, lovo at the resort, lots of lagoon swimming/snorkeling, and just relaxing.

Thank you so much for everything. I can't wait for our next trip.

Vinaka vakalevu,
B. Kader
Aliso Viejo, California
Fijian Getaway

Bula Hiapo,

I have to thank you for suggesting Namale for our Honeymoon vacation.
It over-exceeded all of our expectations, and we were very sad to leave. The surroundings and weather was beautiful our entire trip and we indulged in almost all of the activities the resort had to offer as well as a few spa visits. The staff was extremely nice, helpful, and over accommodating the entire time. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised to have had the opportunity to learn as much as we did about the Fijian culture, lifestyle, and traditions. Kava was a new and interesting experience for us; so we had to drag a kava bowl back home and show our families a bit of our experience. We even got to see some of the Namale staff play in a local Rugby match. On top of the great time we had there we made friends with other couples from all over the world; in fact we will be meeting up with a couple in a few months that we met there.

I have to thank you again for your recommendation, it was an adventure we will never forget.

Vinaka,
S. Palantino
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Happy Honeymoon

Bula Mark!

We've just come back from our trip to Melanesia! It was great...Yasawa was really beautyfull! The bure was great, very big and well furnished... The food was nice and the staff very kind. The private beach in front of the hotel is very nice...

Thank you for your assistance. we had great time and we will go back!
(wonderful picnic in private beaches...!)

PS: I've tried kava...I like it

P. Cardano & N. Campironi
Milan, Italy
Yasawa Island Getaway

J. & C. Salimbene
California
Honeymoon Fun in Fiji

Hello Lori,
We had a wonderful time there, you were right, 7 nights wasn't enough time at Matamanoa, we hope to come back again. Thank you for all your help, I look forward in booking my next trip with you.

I will talk to you soon.
Thanks,
O. Ruano
California
Fabulous Fijian Anniversary

Bula Sue,
Just got back last night and everything ws FABULOUS, FANTASTIC, GREAT, WONDERFUL, except the weather (boo!) -- in 13 days we only had 3 days of sun and many days of rain. But when we return, we would go back at the same time since this was so unusual. LOVED Cousteau and Yasawa -- the Yasawa bure was, as you know, incredibly beautiful -- staff members at both places were exceptional --

We did everything -- visited the villages, mangroves, and church services, snorkelled, fished, etc. And Rosie's was great. Always on time and so accommodating. We ended up renting a room at the Westin because our flight was delayed from 11:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. -- they gave us a great day rate even though we rented the room from 5:00 p.m. to midnight.
So now I'm planning our next trip and I need your help and advice -- another tropical island experience for 2 weeks in December -- what would you suggest? Tonga? Solomon Islands? Cook Islands? Where else?
Vinaka Sue. We loved every minute of this trip --
D. Kaufman
California
Fiji Summer Trip

Bula Hiapo!
Wanted to let you know that my Dream Trip to Fiji surpassed my expectations!
It began when my daughter surprised us at the airport with an upgrade to business/first for our 10 hour Honolulu flight.
We had good weather - it only rained for a 1/2 day during our stay. We feasted on rack of lamb, steak, large crawfish tails, lamb shanks & a variety of fish & vegetables. The villa at Musket Cove was great, the staff wonderful, (they took the time to learn our names) the sunsets spectacular and snorkeling colorful. We were the only Americans at the resort & felt special. I want to tell you that low tide was Verrrrry low but the beautiful pools made up for this. There also was a deep swim-snorkel area past the sand floor bar. The people of Fiji are most hospitable and I wish the distance to this incredible spot wasn't so far.

Vinaka for our welcoming flowers and arrangements with Rosies and your recommendations that made this trip very memorable.
Sincerely,
A.Klimovich
New Jersey
Happy 60th Birthday

Mike,
My wife and I just returned from Fiji on Saturday. You may remember we spent 6 days at the Hideaway Resort on the Coral Coast and then 5 days at Lomani Resort on Malolo Lai Lai. It was incredible! Thank you so much for your excellent suggestions and everything you did to make it such a wonderful vacation. We can't imagine a better itinerary or a smoother trip through what was a very unfamiliar locale. I hope we can work with you again to plan another great trip.

By the way, our Rosie driver - Panto - asked me to give you his regards.
Enjoy your time in Fiji.
M. Colyer
California
Fiji Escape

Bula Mike,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but things have been quite hectic since my return from Fiji...
Anyway, to sum it up, Matana/Dive Kadavu was FANTASTIC!!!! This trip was second only to my first trip to Fiji, which was extra special for the mere fact that it was the first Please do keep in mind that this is a comparison to Tokoriki, a much costlier resort, so the praises I make regarding Matana/Dive Kadavu should be viewed as exceptional....

As for the accommodations... Hard to believe, and I was truly shocked (and pleased), but I had the most comfortable bed I have ever slept on while on vacation. Simple thing, but greatly appreciated. We like the simplicity of the bures and the spacing of the bures, which not only provides privacy, but a sense of not being at a resort. I must say, the other guests, a maximum of 4 at any time, were a treasure as well. All were friendly and outgoing, which made for great conversation and lots of bantering. We really enjoyed the "family style" dining. Dion is not a mere cook, but a creator of delights.

I have likely gone on much more than you were expecting, but I cannot say enough or aptly express how truly wonderful it was. To highlight: Snorkeling-Phenomenal, Dining-Exceptional, Staff-The Best, Location-No Better. LOVE IT!!! What would I change?? One bure with twin beds, so that we can return that much sooner and more often!!! Seriously, Matana is, in my experience of Fijian resorts, a "startling find". At this time, I am envisioning my return and expect to do so within a year as there is lots more to explore and do there.

So, Mike, you totally aced it this time and for that I say, Vinaka Vaca Levu!!!
Most gratefully,
R. Graham
California
Kadavu Vacation

Joanne,
Thank you so much for finding us Qamea, we had the best vacation ever and so hated to leave as you know since we tried to add on two days, we had the dilemma we have been having for a week or so before the trip come home with only one day or three days before work, as much as we hate being home it probably worked out for the best, we are zombies today, with the overnight flight and the time difference, I would not be ready for work tomorrow. We just hated to leave, what a wonderful place, amazing people and place. The owner was giving us a great deal too another free night too bad the airline was not as available. Thanks for your help though in trying.

Thanks again, thanks also for the champagne you gave us and for your help in having my brother send us champagne, what a surprise that was, we had such a wonderful anniversary, had dinner on the beach the two of us, and everyone sang us a song and gave us your champaign and then a cake, it was so wonderful, thank you so much for helping us to have such a great 20th anniversary !!!
J. Stein
California
Fabulous Fiji Anniversary

We rented a car and drove around and had a ball. Waterfalls, villages, boat ride on the Navua river. There was plenty to do or not do and we liked that. Also, snorkeling right outside our room (almost). Ken dove on all three Islands.
At Mana Island Resort, our upstairs/downstairs villa was spacious and comfortable. Mana has some newer bures that we looked at and they are quite lovely. We went on the Seaspray to the Island where they filmed Castaway and snorkeled and that was a fun day.
We LOVED LOVED TAVEUNI !!!! We'd go back there in a flash !! THE TAVEUNI ISLAND RESORT WAS INCREDIBLE !!!! I'm so spoiled. I love 5 star places. We had the entire resort to ourselves the first night and the next three nights we shared it with one other lovely couple from England and the last night also with a couple from Canada. Our deluxe ocean front bure was the BEST!!! THE MOST PRIVATE!!! I was a little sick when I got there. And I just fell asleep on the covered deck on a chaise lounge listening to the lull of the ocean and healed !! It was soooo quiet and peaceful !!! And the island itself is a gem. We rented a car one day and explored. Went to a waterfall and walked on the well kept coastal trail. The staff and food was incredible at the resort so we never ate anywhere else since the meals were included. So we did see the pizza place but didn't eat there.
You were so right the Fijians are so friendly. It was a delight.
Our last night at Tanoa was good. A very nice hotel and we did go shopping in Nadi and that was fun!!
You did a great job planning our trip. Tuning into what we needed and wanted.
Vinaka,
R. & K. Powell
California
Fun in Fiji

The follow-up call on our return to ask us our experience gave me a new belief in great service. I have used the same local Travel Agent for years without the level of service you offered long distances! Mike, you and McCoy Travel will be my new agency.

Thanks again for an excellent experience and I will be contacting you soon for our travel arrangements to Australia and again to Fiji later this year.
Sincerely,
D. Northrup
California
Fabulous Fiji

I don't know where to begin to thank you for the recommendations and arrangements you made for us on our trip to Kadavu. You obviously listened very carefully to what I wanted and you know your terrain extraordinarily well. I am so appreciative, thankful, happy with your services that words fail to express the magnitude of that gratitude. We had a fabulous time!...in every way, with everything we did. You picked the PERFECT spot for us. My dreams were met and exceeded. Dive Kadavu was wonderful, the perfect place for us. I really liked Bob and Rena and had many long conversations with Rena. We met lovely people, both natives and fellow travelers and made some friends for life...both natives and travelers. I'm amazed. Read more...

Sincerely,
C. Pierre
Massachusetts
Fijian Interlude

Hi Lori,
Thanks for your email! I also heard from Jeff at Vomo that you had called to check up on us - we appreciate your consideration. To give you some feedback, we had a wonderful time at Vomo! For the benefit of your future guests, here's a quick run-down of the good and the limited amount of bad:

Good:
- Food was excellent - it was like a gourmet meal every night
- The bungalow is quite nice - the a/c is definitely a big plus
- The activities through Crystal Blue/Reef Safari were great also.
Even though the resort was at full occupancy, we were still the only couple on virtually every activity we did. For the Sunset Cruise, Scuba Diving, Deep Sea Fishing and the Village tour, it was just Jessica and I. And the guides (Roko and Tui) were the best - definitely two of the nicest people we met the entire time.

Not as good:
- Vomo lailai is ok only. Not worth the afternoon if you have other
things planned. It hasnt been maintained well and is full of garbage and driftwood
- The beach is ok only - not the picturesque white sand beach I think many ppl would expect
- The Rocks bar was under renovation, so was not an option for dinner
- What surpised me the most were the number of families and children there.
The majority of guests were actually families that come back year after year, and it seemed they garnered much of the attention from staff and the GM, over people like us. Very few honeymooners actually.

Overall, everything was excellent. The most important things for us were the accommodations, the food, and the activities, and in all three of those categories we were extremely happy. If we do go back to Fiji though, I'd probably want to try a resort with a nicer white sand beach (less coral) and less children.

Dear Lori,
HEY, we can't thank you enough for setting up the trip of a lifetime. We all especially loved Qamea. The people were amazing-friendly, sincere, and fun. We loved the accomodations, the vis