Fiji Travel Mole Competiton winner tells her story

Some of you will remember the competition that TravelMole ran recently in partnership with stunning Fijian island resort of Matamanoa.

Well, you may also recall that the lucky winner was Shelley Castle, a consultant with Air New Zealand in Wellington and Shelley told the Mole that she and her new husband, Kerry had a really great time and that The Mole enjoyed Fiji as much as we did!

She also said that she felt like a travel reporter, her dream job and if TravelMole  ever need anyone to travel somewhere and report, then to let her know – Shelley I might well take you up on that!

Shelley did want me to thank everyone at Matamanoa so much for the wonderful honeymoon they gave her and her husband.

The great thing is that The Mole also asked Shelley if she would tell Molers her story and here it is!

Matamanoa Island resort is the perfect romantic getaway for couples and honeymooners, especially since there are no kids allowed!

After our boat cruise and a short dinghy ride (not for the faint hearted on a rough day!) or a helicopter ride to get to the secluded island, you are welcomed by a cocktail and friendly faces.

The resort is mostly frequented by New Zealanders, Australians, Americans, and British guests, a large number are couples but a few groups as well.

[Shelley and Kerry pictured left enjoying Matamanoa.]

The word is also that Tom Cruise was not allowed to stay here while filming Castaway, as he wanted to bring his kids, this is one exclusive place but still very relaxed in style.

The twenty beachfront bures are fabulous, and despite not having air conditioning, they more than make up for it with the gorgeous view!

They are large and airy, have a comfortable king bed as well as a day bed, and a hammock on the beachfront deck.

The staff even go the extra mile, carving your names in wood and hanging it on your bure door!

The thirteen air-conditioned garden view hotel rooms make up the total number of 33 rooms at this small secluded resort.

The daily “what’s on” board has a wide range of activities for the adventurous and not so energetic amongst us – including bingo, learning to crack coconuts by hand (unsuccessfully and painfully, but we tried our hardest!), fishing trips and other short excursions off the island………..or you can just spend the day lazing in the horizon-edge pool, or snorkelling in the clear blue ocean.

You can’t beat the staff at this resort for friendliness and entertainment, they quickly get to know you and treat you like a friend.

The evening band sing a host of favourite songs to sing and dance along to all night long, they know every song that you could ever request, everything from Eric Clapton to Ronan Keating to the Eagles.

[Pictured left: Shelley and Kerry enjoy a cocktail]

Meals were a choice of set menu or á la carte and the food has an intimate home-made feel to it, although much nicer, getting to your table in “ Fiji time” (as the waiters and waitresses often like to joke about!), but it is worth the wait.

We loved that we didn’t have to carry around any money on the island, you just sign-off your drink or food order and pay for it at the end of your stay. Our bill was exactly right, there are no surprises here, just relax and eat and drink.

You must try the twin massage option – laying in a hut on the beach and having your muscles soothed, listening to only the sounds of the waves, is the best way to relax into island time.

I highly recommend Matamanoa and all their staff, stay a week or forever, it’s hard to leave!

A Report by Shelley Castle on her prize winner holiday at Matamanoa Island Resort, Fiji