Turtle Island Essay, Research Paper

Turtle Island, Fiji

Turtle Island is one of the many islands in Fiji. Many say that it is the most magical island there also. Turtle Island the Resort, is five star, and a perfect place to spend your honeymoon, or a special event. Though it may be expensive, it is worth it, it is one of those vacations that you will remember for the rest of your life. Turtle Island has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the Blue Lagoon. The people that work at Turtle Island are very kind and helpful; they want to make sure that your stay there is the best experience that it could possibly be. ?Everyone who leaves Turtle Island, leaves with a smile on their face and a million memories in their heart? says the staff at Turtle Island.

While preparing for your trip to Turtle Island, they suggest that you bring ?cool, casual, and comfortable? clothes. They also suggest that you bring comfortable shoes for walking, hiking, biking, or jogging. Since you will be so close to the equator plenty of sunscreen and a hat would help shield you from the sun?s rays. The weather in Fiji is warm and pleasant without extreme heat. Usually the temperatures average 87?F, November-April, and a bit cooler May through October. When you stay at Turtle everything is on a first name basis. Before you come the staff will request to know what you would like to be called, so they can know your name when you arrive. Turtle Island wants to make sure your ?travel planning? is as easy as it could possibly be, that’s why they would advise you to let them arrange your flights.

During your stay at Turtle Island, you will stay in one of fourteen bures. These bures are handcrafted by Fijian craftsmen. Your two-room bure is right on the beach of the incredible Blue Lagoon. Each comes with its own separate sitting room. The sitting room includes comfortable rattan chairs and couches with a full wet bar and a refrigerator stocks with your favorite beverages and an icemaker.

Grand Bures have a king size four poster bed, a vast dressing room, a private ?Hot Springs? jetted spa tub, walk in double shower, double vanity, hand-crafted hardwood furniture, an outdoor shower and outdoor verandah with queen size daybed.

Deluxe Bures have a queen size four poster bed, two full baths, a rattan furnished sitting room and writing desk.

All Bures have hairdryers, CD players, tea and coffee making facilities, toiletries, irons and ironing boards.

Turtle Island also has a magnificent menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has all kinds of foods from freshly caught lobster to pumpkin chutney with curry sauce. They have a daily menu witch always consists of fresh lobster or some sort of fresh seafood. Also there is a menu for picnics, which has a more common list of food choices, such as chili and ceasar salad. Also the people at Turtle would like to know if you have any special needs, such as dietary or medical requirements. Let them know when you make your reservations, and they will do everything possible to accommodate your personal

needs.

One of the most beautiful things at Turtle Island is its ?14 naturally occurring palm fringed beaches.? Most of the beaches are lined with high rocky hills, or volcanic rock, that make it seem like you are in your own private paradise. The Turtle Island staff wants to make sure that you know that your time on Turtle is your own. For instance, whether you want to stroll on the beaches, swim in the turquoise waters, or just swing on a hammock gazing into the beautiful sunset, is entirely up to you. Turtle Island is quiet and secluded, and it is ideal for a picnic on the beach.

What is there to do on Turtle Island? Well Turtle is equipped with many fun and memorable activities, such as, scuba diving, snorkeling, deep-sea sports fishing, and fly fishing. Turtle is a superb place for scuba divers. The water is very clear so you can see everything very clearly. There are hundreds of species of fish. In the deeper regions offshore, many people have spotted dolphins, tuna, pilot whales, sailfish, marlin, manta rays, and many other species of fish. The only thing is that you must be certified, and you must bring your own regulator, there is rental available, and dive card. They will provide you with all of the equipment that you will need, as well as professional direction from their very well informed staff. Deep-sea fishing trips are scheduled to go out every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The fishing boat is a 36-ft. dual hull catamaran, ?Manta Ray?. Most of the catches include fish such as yellow fin tuna, trevally, wahoo, Spanish mackerel, mahi mahi, barracuda, shark, skipjack tuna, rainbow runner, and the occasional sailfish. Turtle Island does not provide instruction for fly-fishing, and you would have to bring your own equipment. Turtle also has activities such as sailing, windsurfing, sunset cruises, kayaking, and snorkeling. Some of the things provided for you to do on land are horseback riding, mountain bike riding, visits to native villages, champagne picnic lunches, hiking, and hammocking. If you are a nature lover, Turtle Island is the place to go. Travel Magazine says ?Turtle Island is a nature-lovers paradise?. Many of the hiking paths lead meander through the grassy highlands with breath-taking views. Also there are numerous groves of coconuts, bananas, mangos, and papayas. There are also paths that lead to magnificent views of the tropical rainforest. There are many species around on Turtle Island such as, parrots, doves, fifteen different species of butterflies and that rare and endangered-banded iguana. Hikers have nothing to fear though, because ?Pacific Island Monthly? reported that Fiji has ?the safest tropical rain forest on the planet.?

Scientists say that the preservation of Turtle Island?s native and wildlife and habitats, makes the resort a great model for eco-tourism. Richard Evanson has been conducting large projects like a huge reforestation program, 300,000 trees have been planted on the island in the last 26 years. They are very concerned about preserving the Island, because it has such a natural beauty to it. There is a three-acre vegetable garden, which supplies the island with fresh vegetables. Turtle Island is also deeply concerned for the well being of its sea turtles; Evanson has started a campaign to save the endangered sea turtles. Environmental audits, concluded that ?Turtle Island is a precious gift of mature and something to me treasured and protected…?

When you are booking a flight to Turtle Island, Fiji, you can either do it through Turtle Island or you can do it your self. Say for instance you were going to leave on March 30, 2001 for two weeks at Turtle Island, the price would be about $1,478.00 plus $65 Fijian Tax. The time you would be in the air, including all of the layovers, would be about 18 hours and 45 minutes. An example of the trip to Turtle Island would be if you took Northwest Airlines flight 945. If you left on March 30, from Seattle at 2:40, you would arrive at 6:41 p.m., (Hawaii Time) in Honolulu. Once you arrived at the airport you would have a 3 hour and 40 minute layover. Then you would change to a different airline, Air Pacific flight 821. The departure time would be 12:40 (March 31, the next day) a.m., and arrive at 5:25 a.m. (April 1st) in Nadi, Fiji. During all of the flying you would loose a day, because, you would be going through two time changes. The time change from Seattle to Honolulu is two hours, so if it were 3 o?clock Seattle time it would be 1 o?clock Honolulu time. Then there is another time change from Honolulu to Nadi, which is another two hours, for instance, it?s 1 o?clock in Honolulu, so that means that it would be 11 o?clock in Nadi. From Nadi, Fiji, Turtle Island has a seaplane that would pick you up there and you would arrive at Turtle Island about 30 minutes later. When you arrive you will be greeted by the whole Turtle Island Resort Staff. Also when it is your turn to leave, you?ll find everyone at the dock to bid you farewell. Also when you are leaving from Nadi on your way home, there is an airport departure tax. It is collected previous to your departure, so be sure to keep $20 per person in hand when you are leaving.

Being a five star resort, your stay at Turtle Island will not come cheap. All of the charges include the cost for your private two-room beachfront cottage, all meals, and all beverages including their fine wines, all activities, and also your laundry services.

Rates for All-Inclusive Package is per person per day are broken down as follows:

Bure Type Accommodation Food, Beverage, and Activities

Deluxe Bure US $225.00 US $320

Grand Bure US $340.00 US $320

All charges are subject to an additional 10% Fijian government tax. Also because your stay at Turtle is prepaid, you might want to bring a little extra money with you for local currency and time in Nadi sight seeing of shopping. The bank is open 24 hours a day at the first office on your left after clearing customs at the arrival concourse.