Editor’s Note: The following words were written by Dane Zaun who just enjoyed the trip of a lifetime with his fiancé, Bruna Schmitz, thanks to Waterways Travel, Fiji Airlines and Matanivusi Surf Resort. And like any good trip, having a photographer there to capture it all is a nice cherry on top, with a gallery from photographer Ricky Lesser.
The first thing that I feel when I step off the plane is a wave of fresh air. It’s not just the obvious kind with tropical fragrance and humidity, but the kind when a local Fijian sweeping the floors stops to say hello and welcome you to his beautiful country. He doesn’t know where you are going or how long you are staying but the gentle giant knows that you just arrived in paradise. I do too.
I enjoy the simplicity. The Fijians have a time of their own – Fiji Time – no hurry, no worry. At Matanivusi Surf Resort our days are relaxed yet filled with fun and adventure, good waves or poor. Waking up with the Fijian sunrise never gets old; and having a coffee, fresh fruit and cereal with my beautiful fiancé Bruna while planning our day is the best.
The waves are unbelievable. Unlike the famous breaks to the west; everything down here is a touch more raw. Not raw in a bad way, but in the way that the reefs are a bit further out, the wind a bit stronger, and the swell a notch bigger. The lack of other surfers in the lineup makes it feel primal.
After surfing all day, Bruna and I enjoyed private evenings on our deck, watching the sunset and soaking up that fresh Fiji vibe that made everything so special. If you ever travel here, you’ll not be disappointed and will be planning your trip back before you even leave. Thanks to WaterWays Surf Adventures for making this all possible. But mostly, thank you Bruna for being my life-long travel companion.
