DISCOVER FIJI & TUI TAI EXPEDITION CRUISES
Like luxury, adventure can be defined many ways but have you ever thought of taking a schooner through the South Pacific? Tui Tai the only luxury-adventure motor-sailing schooner in the Pacific Cultural Triangle, awaits.
TuiTai” means chief from another place, think of our ship as a floating village”, say owners Tige and MorikaYoung. The name translates as “Chief from another village” and the small group focus of the Adventure Cruise means our guests (maximum 24) are welcomed with the warmth and respect traditionally given to a chief from another village. To us each guest is a Tui Tai, we are honoured by their visit to our floating village”.
The schooner adventure is led by Captain Laisiasa Waqalevu who hails from Nacarnaki Village, on the Fiji Island of Koro. “The trip is designed for active travellers who want to get off the beaten path and discover the real Fiji, not just a resort view”, he says. The expedition, which takes 5 or 7 days, combines tropical adventure and a chance to immerse yourself in the culture of Fiji. “During your adventure you can kayak, mountain bike, hike through the rainforest and waterfalls, snorkel pristine, vibrant reefs, scuba dive in a number of world-class dive sites, visit local villages and more”, promises Captain Waqalevu.
“I came to Fiji for a few weeks in August 2008 and I'm still here”, says Marketing Manager Max Cross. “I can't find any reason to return to England or the USA. Fiji, and particularly Savusavu, where I live, is breathtaking in landscape and climate. And it's not only adventure and leisure. “We do an enormous amount of humanitarian work and, those who travel with us, actively improve the locations they visit. We have scholarships for children, we bring medical supplies, technical and musical equipment, clothing, build bus shelters, schools and book-centres. The Tui Tai team does a lot, and so do our guests”, explains Max. “Some may think of us as a sort of luxury peace corps, but guests can opt in and out of as much as they wish. Many do choose to support our causes; it's a wonderful feeling to help people because you have the means and guests respond to that”.
The Fijian people have little of finanacial wealth but manage to live very well on virtualy no income, but they do have a bounty of fruit, fish and freedom. Their cultures vary from island to island and passengers on Tui Tai thrill to authentic and traditional open-air performances by the island people, performed on their land, far from civilisation – and often electricty!
Tui Tai sails to islands where Polynesians and Micronesians were relocated after World War 11, where villagers live in their historical and natural ways. Only the Pacific Triangle offers adventurers a chance to experience such strikingly different cultures during a one-week visit.
Max Cross says that the average passenger (celebs include Alanis Morisette, Jazmin Grace and author Gavinde Becker) is far from average. Children come with their grandparents and spend quality time hiking together, say on The Ringgolds Islands, a scattering of tiny atolls with miles of beautiful sandy beaches and black rocks. One volcanic crater is at Cobia Island, surrounded by a barrier reef that drops down into the deep blue sea teeming with big fish, barracuda, tuna, grey reef sharks and remarkable colours. Within the reef is a magnificent sea-water filled lagoon, down which you can descend in kayaks! “The only requirements for a passenger is physical fitness, enough to bike, hike, kayak, snorkel and sit still while an Island Chief accepts an offering enabling safe passage through the remote villages”, Max tells us. “Tui Tai is luxury that doesn't get in the way of adventure, but if you just want to relax and work on your sun-tan, that's no problem”.
Meanwhile back on board chef Vijen Kumar, who comes from Savusavu prepares his signature Madras Fish Curry. “It's Indo-Fijian”, he says. Chef Kumar worked in various 5-star resorts before developing the mouth-watering Tui Tai menus and cuisine and you can visit local markets with him. “I want to introduce our wonderful fresh products so guests have a “taste of Fiji” combined with a sophisticated but simple international cuisine”. And vegetarians, fussy foodies and guests with allergies are welcome. Just tell the kitchen crew and they do the rest.
All cabins and staterooms are designer decorated and air-conditioned, sleek private bathrooms and showers offer Pure Fiji products made with coconut oils and flower extracts (www.purefiji.com). Sleep tight under 800-count Egyptian Cotton Sateen sheets and awake to a sumptuous breakfast served on deck at the outdoor cooking station. “Food is served with lush views of forest covered mountains and rippling South Pacific waters”, says Max Cross. “Chef prepares anything you want, and all the fruits are locally picked. You need the energy of a large breakfast to power through such active days”, advises Cross.
Spa treatments and yoga sessions are available, either on board, on isolated beaches, surrounded by the mist of a giant waterfall, wherever you want them to be. “because we set up spa services right there”, says Max Cross.
For honeymooners, a bottle of champagne awaits. In addition they can be motor-launched to private beaches, where dinner is served – just for two. A local village “Meke” will honour the happy couple. “Meke” is a traditional Fijian festival of singing and dancing and the local village participates to celebrate with guests. Guest kayaking up a hot jungle river are followed by a support boat with plenty of fresh towels, chilled drinks and snacks. Whether snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, visiting remote viallages, or just sailing the clear blue waters, “all our activities have been equally enjoyed by a 26-year old tri-athlete, active 74-year olds and all in between world travellers: dive in and out as you wish”.
A bit of History:
The Fiji Island Archipeligo is a group of more than 300 islands located approximately 3200 miles south-west of Hawaii, and about 1700 miles from New Zealand. In 1643 the Dutch explorer Tasman first sighted and recorded its' reefs. 130 years later Captain Cook navigated the islands and, after the Mutiny on the Bounty, Captain Bligh sailed between the country's two main islands on his incredible 4000 mile journey in a small open boat.
What awaited explorers at that time were Fijians who lived a fierce lifestyle of tribal warfare, cannibalism and beliefs in ancestral spirits. Chiefs yielded absolute power over the people and consulted with high priests for direction from their gods. All land was owned by the chief and the common people paid sevusevu, gifts of food and women to pay for the use of the land.
The turn of the 18th century brought traders and, with the traders, missionaries – and guns. Muskets were welcomed by the tribes who were always at war. By the mid 19th century, something of the present political structure was beginning to emerge. A key icon at the time was Cakobau, the most powerful chief of Fiji's past. A man of great stature, dedicated only to war, he was described as ruthless and savage, cruel, cunning, devious and bold, though every inch a King, at the height of his powers in the 1840's.
In 1854 Cakobau turned towards the West and accepted Christianity, bringing many converts and making many enemies. By the end of the century the evolution of Fiji meant it became a British colony with an appointed Governor-General, and Fiji became independent from colonial rule in 1980.
To-day the islands are must-visit destinations for divers and splendid stopovers for travellers to Australia and New Zealand. Fiji is island-in-the-sun paradise, small wonder it's a popular location for romance, an A-list location for weddings and honeymoons.
“And, for the amazing Tui Tai Expedition, we feel if you're going to fly halfway round the world to a tropical wonderland like Fiji, you better be certain you're in for a unique experience, you won't be disappointed”, promises Max Cross.
Margaret Kemp
The schooner adventure is led by Captain Laisiasa Waqalevu who hails from Nacarnaki Village, on the Fiji Island of Koro. “The trip is designed for active travellers who want to get off the beaten path and discover the real Fiji, not just a resort view”, he says. The expedition, which takes 5 or 7 days, combines tropical adventure and a chance to immerse yourself in the culture of Fiji. “During your adventure you can kayak, mountain bike, hike through the rainforest and waterfalls, snorkel pristine, vibrant reefs, scuba dive in a number of world-class dive sites, visit local villages and more”, promises Captain Waqalevu.
“I came to Fiji for a few weeks in August 2008 and I'm still here”, says Marketing Manager Max Cross. “I can't find any reason to return to England or the USA. Fiji, and particularly Savusavu, where I live, is breathtaking in landscape and climate. And it's not only adventure and leisure. “We do an enormous amount of humanitarian work and, those who travel with us, actively improve the locations they visit. We have scholarships for children, we bring medical supplies, technical and musical equipment, clothing, build bus shelters, schools and book-centres. The Tui Tai team does a lot, and so do our guests”, explains Max. “Some may think of us as a sort of luxury peace corps, but guests can opt in and out of as much as they wish. Many do choose to support our causes; it's a wonderful feeling to help people because you have the means and guests respond to that”.
The Fijian people have little of finanacial wealth but manage to live very well on virtualy no income, but they do have a bounty of fruit, fish and freedom. Their cultures vary from island to island and passengers on Tui Tai thrill to authentic and traditional open-air performances by the island people, performed on their land, far from civilisation – and often electricty!
Tui Tai sails to islands where Polynesians and Micronesians were relocated after World War 11, where villagers live in their historical and natural ways. Only the Pacific Triangle offers adventurers a chance to experience such strikingly different cultures during a one-week visit.
Max Cross says that the average passenger (celebs include Alanis Morisette, Jazmin Grace and author Gavinde Becker) is far from average. Children come with their grandparents and spend quality time hiking together, say on The Ringgolds Islands, a scattering of tiny atolls with miles of beautiful sandy beaches and black rocks. One volcanic crater is at Cobia Island, surrounded by a barrier reef that drops down into the deep blue sea teeming with big fish, barracuda, tuna, grey reef sharks and remarkable colours. Within the reef is a magnificent sea-water filled lagoon, down which you can descend in kayaks! “The only requirements for a passenger is physical fitness, enough to bike, hike, kayak, snorkel and sit still while an Island Chief accepts an offering enabling safe passage through the remote villages”, Max tells us. “Tui Tai is luxury that doesn't get in the way of adventure, but if you just want to relax and work on your sun-tan, that's no problem”.
Meanwhile back on board chef Vijen Kumar, who comes from Savusavu prepares his signature Madras Fish Curry. “It's Indo-Fijian”, he says. Chef Kumar worked in various 5-star resorts before developing the mouth-watering Tui Tai menus and cuisine and you can visit local markets with him. “I want to introduce our wonderful fresh products so guests have a “taste of Fiji” combined with a sophisticated but simple international cuisine”. And vegetarians, fussy foodies and guests with allergies are welcome. Just tell the kitchen crew and they do the rest.
All cabins and staterooms are designer decorated and air-conditioned, sleek private bathrooms and showers offer Pure Fiji products made with coconut oils and flower extracts (www.purefiji.com). Sleep tight under 800-count Egyptian Cotton Sateen sheets and awake to a sumptuous breakfast served on deck at the outdoor cooking station. “Food is served with lush views of forest covered mountains and rippling South Pacific waters”, says Max Cross. “Chef prepares anything you want, and all the fruits are locally picked. You need the energy of a large breakfast to power through such active days”, advises Cross.
Spa treatments and yoga sessions are available, either on board, on isolated beaches, surrounded by the mist of a giant waterfall, wherever you want them to be. “because we set up spa services right there”, says Max Cross.
For honeymooners, a bottle of champagne awaits. In addition they can be motor-launched to private beaches, where dinner is served – just for two. A local village “Meke” will honour the happy couple. “Meke” is a traditional Fijian festival of singing and dancing and the local village participates to celebrate with guests. Guest kayaking up a hot jungle river are followed by a support boat with plenty of fresh towels, chilled drinks and snacks. Whether snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, visiting remote viallages, or just sailing the clear blue waters, “all our activities have been equally enjoyed by a 26-year old tri-athlete, active 74-year olds and all in between world travellers: dive in and out as you wish”.
A bit of History:
The Fiji Island Archipeligo is a group of more than 300 islands located approximately 3200 miles south-west of Hawaii, and about 1700 miles from New Zealand. In 1643 the Dutch explorer Tasman first sighted and recorded its' reefs. 130 years later Captain Cook navigated the islands and, after the Mutiny on the Bounty, Captain Bligh sailed between the country's two main islands on his incredible 4000 mile journey in a small open boat.
What awaited explorers at that time were Fijians who lived a fierce lifestyle of tribal warfare, cannibalism and beliefs in ancestral spirits. Chiefs yielded absolute power over the people and consulted with high priests for direction from their gods. All land was owned by the chief and the common people paid sevusevu, gifts of food and women to pay for the use of the land.
The turn of the 18th century brought traders and, with the traders, missionaries – and guns. Muskets were welcomed by the tribes who were always at war. By the mid 19th century, something of the present political structure was beginning to emerge. A key icon at the time was Cakobau, the most powerful chief of Fiji's past. A man of great stature, dedicated only to war, he was described as ruthless and savage, cruel, cunning, devious and bold, though every inch a King, at the height of his powers in the 1840's.
In 1854 Cakobau turned towards the West and accepted Christianity, bringing many converts and making many enemies. By the end of the century the evolution of Fiji meant it became a British colony with an appointed Governor-General, and Fiji became independent from colonial rule in 1980.
To-day the islands are must-visit destinations for divers and splendid stopovers for travellers to Australia and New Zealand. Fiji is island-in-the-sun paradise, small wonder it's a popular location for romance, an A-list location for weddings and honeymoons.
“And, for the amazing Tui Tai Expedition, we feel if you're going to fly halfway round the world to a tropical wonderland like Fiji, you better be certain you're in for a unique experience, you won't be disappointed”, promises Max Cross.
Margaret Kemp
Février 2009
