Written by Paradise Guest Cathy McDondald, Queensland Australia. 7th June 2009.
“It was with a growing sense of shame and humiliation that I read the article on Paradise at Taveuni 5th of June 2009. The undertones of racism and the white, western sense of superiority seemed to ooze from almost every paragraph. The author clearly did not have a good time and seems determined to infest the minds of others to turn them away from what, to me, is a fantastic experience.
As a current Guest (yes, capital ‘G’) of Paradise, I could barely recognise your scribes descriptions of this beautiful Resort. Yes the Wedding Bure overlooking the calm idealic waters surrounding Taveuni is small. I believe the accurate discription is ‘intimate’. Having had dinner there one night, I for one felt special and pampered.
The tin-roofed Massage Bure overlooking the Southern Pacific Ocean that your scribe describes bears no similarity to the palm thatched, sandy floor Bure that I see every day.
And as for that person’s dismay at seeing the poverty of a third-world country, with poor dwellings along the way to the resort, I would have to advise them to never leave an Australian capital city. They also seem to expect Australian city freeway conditions for the roads here.
As you freely and widely published the seemilng defamatory article of your scribe, I’m hoping you will apply Natural Justice and publish my account as well.
I was met at Taveuni Airport by one of the Resort Managers who explained that the road to the Resort was pretty bad. The first 30 minutes of the drive was along a bitumen road that was one of the best I had experienced in Fiji. The last 30 minutes was on a dirt road with a few rocks and pot holes that the driver took care to avoid.
I was greeted at the Reception Bure (Fijian for hut) by half of the Resort staff and presented with a hand made lei (flower garland), icy cold coconut to drink from, icy cold wet washer to refresh my face and hands. I was then given a short tour of the pristine resort and lead to my room. Sorry, ‘room’ does not do justice to my Bure - 3 large rooms - a bedroom with a massive king size bed, large lounge area with a mini bar fridge, tea and coffee making facilities etc, and a spacious bathroom with ample cupboard space. The bathroom leads to a private courtyard with outdoor shower set amoung a garden of ginger lillies, native ferns, flame trees and huge golden portos overhanging the walls of petrified lava rocks.
I unpacked, showered and dressed, taking my time until night had well and truly fallen. When I was ready for dinner, I came out to my Bure deck to find a lit oil lamp to help me find my way to the Reception Bure which also houses the bar and dining room. The food is world class with a resonable choice of fine wines from Australia and New Zealnad as well as an impressive Cocktail list.
I noticed the Daily Activities blackboard set for the following day and tried to decide what I’d do. From adventure hikes to diving world class reefs or simply snorkelling along the lava cliffs of the Resort or cutural avctivities or just doing nothing and enjoying the laid-back Fiji Time - the choice was mine. Many of the adventure hikes and dives came at an extra cost to pay for transport and trespass on other people’s property. I admit that I didn’t find the costs excessive as I’d already investigated these through the resort web-site prior to coming here. I must also point out that I had studied the menus thoughourly and was already looking forward to Fiji Night and Indian Night in particular where the Guests came together to enjoy sumptuous feast. Fiji Night is a truly wonderful cultural experience.
I’ve been here for a week and am sad that I only have another 10 days of the best holiday of my life. I can thoroughly and honestly recommend Paradise to those travellers who want to experience and learn about the culture of these beautiful island people, while choosing, or not, some of the finest water sports available anywhere in the world. You will be made so welcome, that you as I, will be sad to leave my new-found Fijian family”
