BEING stranded on an island in the charming Yasawa chain wasn’t a prospect I initially welcomed.
After all, this was supposed to be another regular assignment. Zip in and zip out. I had not prepared for the change in plans for an overnight stay.
With a whole village in party mode after the opening of a refurbished police post, transport from Nacula back to Turtle Island, in time for the evening flight to Nadi, wasn’t really a priority for those fun-loving villagers and police officers.
As I soon learned, they really did mean it when I was advised to stop worrying about missing the seaplane home, and to “just relax and spend the night”.
Little did they know, I was already finding the tranquillity of these parts spellbinding.
Earlier that day, as the seaplane descended towards Nanuya Levu, all 500 acres of this heavenly property seemed to rise out of the ocean.
A jetty sprung out over the reef to provide the perfect open hand.
It’s easy to see why owner Richard Evanson fell in love with this soulful islet — renamed Turtle Island, as well as producers of the 1970 cult hit The Blue Lagoon that shot on location with actress Brooke Shields.
The plane dipped into the glistening sea and raced towards the beach, where a welcome party greeted guests in traditional regalia: costumed men in the shallow, banner swaying in the air, and a serenading choir on the sand with waiting cocktails.
This is a place where day meets night and time has no hands.
Mr Evanson’s environmental conservation takes centre stage on this exclusive resort, home to only 14 beach cottages, a plethora of private beaches and some 500,000 Honduran mahogany trees.
Like the resort staff, the rooms have an intoxicating charm and authentically native ambience, with wooden panelling and furniture scattered in beautifully crafted chairs, table toppings, lounge pieces and large bay windows that sweep in the ocean’s magnificent turquoise.
Eager to provide a glimpse into Fijian history, a looming portrait of the late first President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau hung sternly near the main entrance of my bure, while a treasure of a book outlining local land claims in the 1800s sat on a finely chiselled desktop, waiting for curious readers.
As I was earlier informed by general manager Alexander Weiss, who after five years is still as captive to the island’s charm as a first-time visitor, the pull of this property ensures a return guest rate of 40 per cent.
“There are many resorts in Fiji but none has such a strong cultural aspect as Turtle Island to provide that for guests.”
Mr Evanson, an American Harvard Business School and University of Washington graduate who staked his fortune in cable television, personally oversaw the rejuvenation of the island, which like some of the other islands in the Yasawa and Mamanuca group, had been ravaged by roaming goats in the 70s.
Like his present resort guests, he had once been burnt out by the corporate world and sought solace in the once barren island, where he arrived with a handful of basics that included a generator, tent and refrigerator.
Today the resort retains an intimate vibe and unless excused to the privacy of the beach or cottage, meal times — like most activities, are shared together with other guests.
It’s a cosy atmosphere and leafing through photo albums of popular visitors provide a clear picture of the island’s yearning attraction.
The lap of luxury provided on the private island also ensures a candid appreciation of nature and as per resort policy, guest numbers are kept to a minimum to respect the island’s integrity.
