Journey with Christina

To be fair that catch phrase is the resorts and not mine but I could not agree more. For the rest of our stay in Fiji Jon and I wanted a more typical get pampered experience on our $150 a day budget. Bounty Island is a little island that takes 20 minutes to walk around about a 30-minute ferry ride from the mainland. It is mostly covered with lush foliage and just happens to be a breeding ground for turtles.

Bounty Island.

We were welcomed by the crew singing to us from the beach and each night after dinner they entertained us with beautiful music and the occasional conga line. Jon and I spent our time lounging under a thatched roof cabana and joining in in some of the many activities there was to offer. And of course, gorging ourselves on tons of food! The best part of the island was the warm hospitality of the people.

Feeding the fish and cleaning a baby turtle.

Although we did not have the beach all to ourselves and it was not quite as stunning it was nice to have modern day luxuries like a shower.

Jon lounging on the beach.

The cost for the experience was about $45 for a large private garden bure with a bathroom. The meal plan was about $45 a day each. The breakfast and lunch were buffet style and dinner was either buffet or sit down three course. All the food was quite good and there was plenty of choices for everyone. There were also tons of activities that were included for free such as snorkeling, stand up paddle board, kayak, fish feeding on a glass bottom boat, walks, and my favorite helping to clean the baby turtles. So, for about $135 we could stay on an exotic island. I’d say that is paradise on a shoestring.

Evening on the island.

Our bure.

For our nights after our flight in and before our flight out we stayed on the mainland in Nadi at Bamboo Traveler’s. This place was amazing for the price. We payed $10 each for an 8-bed air-conditioned dorm. The hotel was on the water, there were 2 pools, laundry service and a fantastic restaurant right on the beach. They also picked us up from the airport for free! It was needed because Jon spent our last $20 to get back to the airport on beer. He then proceeded to call everyone he knew back in the states.

View of Bamboo Travelers and the restaurant right on the beach. It was spectacular all lit up at night.