Even before they began their around-the-world journey, coming to Fiji was always going to be high-priority on Ana Gonzalez and David Cumming’s bucket list.
From a Fijian lady he met in the UK, Dave had heard a bit about Fiji’s turquoise seas, sparkling sand and dancing palm trees; he also experienced ‘firsthand’ the unique brand of Fijian hospitality.
But nothing prepared the London couple for the magic that awaited them on Fijian soil.
Since arriving in the country over a month ago, the pair has loved every minute of their stay in paradise.
Dave, 62, was born and bred in North London.
He is on semi-retirement and his background is software technology, a field that’s afforded him the privilege of being able to travel the world and work remotely.
He has grown up kids and says “I’ve done my time”.
Apart from work, he has always had the passion for traveling, which is actually how he met Ana.
Ana, on the other hand, was born and raised in Mexico but has lived in countries like Canada, USA and Spain, and now, in the UK.
Her background is marketing in the field of financial services.
Meeting in Bali
Last summer, Ana left her London job where she worked for an investment company for Latin America and the US and decided to join Dave in taking a much-needed break.
“We decided to rent the house and start our trip,” she said.
Dave and Ana met at a Bali temple seven years ago.
“We connected immediately and we’ve literally been together from that day,” Dave said.
“Ana said she was living in London. In fact, she was living half an hour from where I lived. I believe destiny had something to do with us; we both love traveling.”
In 2022, the couple decided to travel but Dave’s stepfather passed away in April so they went back home. And then his mother passed away too.
After a short break, the pair got out of bed one day, grabbed their backpacks and decided to resume their world travel. It was October 2024.
“One day we were just sitting around and decided to pick up from where we left off.
“The world’s getting worse and worse. We had no real responsibilities. We had time, good health and we had enough money to travel. Realizing we had only one life to live, we decided to re-attempt our journey.”
Fiji in the bucket list
The couple made a bucket list of all the countries they wanted to visit. Fiji was near the top of that list.
“We started in Singapore, then we moved to Malaysia, then we spent a month in Bali, Indonesia and went for one month to the Philippines and stayed there for Christmas (2024) and then we went to Australia at the end of January 2025 before coming over to Fiji.”
“Australia is very nice, but we were looking for the authenticity in people and cultural traditions and things like that.”
Since February, the couple has been exploring and enjoying the warmth of the western side of Fiji, especially the sun-kissed Yasawas
“We have a policy that we don’t stay in a place for more than two nights,” Anita said.
“We book planes and hotels and live in the moment and when we fall in love with the place, we don’t have to go.”
“So that’s what’s happening right now. We want to spend a few more months here.”
Dave and Ana have already watched two Super Rugby Pacific clashes between the Fijian Drua and visiting teams. They’ve enjoyed every moment of the games and admire how Fijians love their rugby.
“We’ve explored some of the local food and culture and did a few things that locals do, including watching the Fijian Drua play against Australian and Kiwi teams in Lautoka and Suva, drinking kava and dancing.”
Everywhere they go, they feel a peculiar feeling of inner peace and calmness. Coming from a fast-paced metropolitan city like London, this has been a bit strange.
Getting energised in Fiji
They are happy to absorb all the goodness they can.
“We feel very energized here because the people give us a lot of energy and smile and everything is very positive. This trip has improved our mental health,” Ana said.
“Some time ago, I was not in the best head space. I was very sad and didn’t know very well why. That’s why we decided to start traveling and do things that give us excitement and make us feel more alive.”
From Fiji the couple plans to travel to other countries in the Pacific, including Samoa, French Polynesia, the Cook Islands, and Easter Islands, which is on their bucket list.
They tried to get to Rapanui a few times but were stopped by COVID-19 and extreme weather, so this would be their third attempt.
“In Fiji, the people have the energy that has pretty much gone, your priorities are in the right place and you can feel it,” Dave said.
“When I was 25, I met a Fijian lady (in the UK). She had this soft gentleness, sincerity, compassion, and empathy.”
Dave believes the same friendliness he came across more than two decades ago still remains strong among locals
“You’ve got the physical beauty, but to be honest lots of islands have the same physical beauty, the Philippines has beautiful beaches too but what sets you apart is the people.
“The people have a positive outlook; they make you feel warm and safe.”
“Our first exposure to Fijian hospitality was in the Yasawa Islands.
“We were having dinner and everyone sang lovely songs that got to our hearts. Straight away we felt this unexplained divine presence.”
“No one is rushing, everybody cares and everyone is compassionate and gentle. I’m sure there’s another side to it, but the general feel of the island is it is a time gone, truthfully.”
Apart from Fiji’s weather, physical beauty and people, Dave and Ana have also gotten hooked on the local food.
Falling in love with Fiji
They have fallen in love with kokoda, seafood, vegetables, root crops and fruits. They believe the island’s healthy food makes Fijians naturally good and have a sense of community.
During the remainder of their vacation in Fiji, the visitors hope to visit more Fijian villages and local schools, interact more with locals, learn local dances and eat local food.
“We also hope to explore Ovalau, Savusavu and Taveuni.”
If all goes according to plan, they should be back in London in July, just in time for Dave’s brother’s 70th birthday
Another thing they’ve gotten accustomed to is the “Fiji time” phenomenon and its miraculous effect on the body, mind and soul.
“Fiji time is real. When we came, we stayed at a place where we had this room right by the beach, and suddenly we just calmed down. It’s as if we came with a big rush but its inertia stopped because we now have time, space and peace in an amazing environment.
“We love the concept of Fiji time because we are just relaxed.
“We come from a place where life is superbly fast but here, we are suddenly finding the secret to that calmness and happiness.”
The decision to stay in Fiji until June rose from the need to fully immerse themselves among the locals.
What looked like a two-week vacation in February has now turned into a four-month tropical escapade.
“As tourists, we often just skim across the top, grab the experience and move on. But we’ve realised we don’t just go somewhere for a week, see three things that you need to see and leave.
“You need to go with the flow of the places you visit and absorb the culture.”
Dave and Ana are also in conversation with some hotels where they’d do some diving and explore Fiji’s marine wonderland.
“We hear you have some of the best dive spots and since we are here we just have to do it”.
Beyond the Pacific, everywhere the couple travels to, they will take a piece of Fiji with them, beckoned by the lyrics of the “Isa Lei” farewell song (which has become their favourite), swaying coconut trees and a culture that was once only a dream.
Ana and Dave socialising with The Fiji Times journalists, John Kamea (left), Harold Koi (centre) and Ana Madigibuli (right).
Picture: SUPPLIED
Main Picture left: Hello world … Dave and Anita in holiday mood and soaking up every bit of the sunshine. Picture: SUPPLIED
