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Namenalala - Fiji Island
Jill March
Sunrise. The Koro Sea. Here is the emerald jewel of Namenalala,
Fiji. The birds sing the same mystifying calls that they have sung
for thousands of years as the island stirs from it’s slumber;
Namena is awake for another day.
Days on Namena offer sheer luxury,
warm smiles, excellent food and dive opportunities that are out
of this world. The pristine barrier reef circles the entire island
and offers divers the chance to see some of the best soft coral
in the world. The flora and fauna of the island are similarly spectacular
and the white sandy beach is a picture taken straight from Robinson
Crusoe. Namena and her surrounding waters are deeply treasured by
all who stay in her warmth and natural setting.
Joan and Tom Moody built and own
Namena’s resort. Tom found the 110-acre island in 1983. After
camping on Namena for two weeks he decided to take one acre to develop
his resort and leave the rest in natural bliss. Tom and Joan are
good people with fascinating stories to tell. They make a trip to
such an isolated island easy. So easy it will have to be repeated.
Six secluded traditional bures (homes)
are dotted along the coastline of this heavenly isle, set amidst
native bush and framed between sky and ocean. Five of the bures
are perched on the cliff top enabling you to drink in the panoramic
views and blissful trade winds in total seclusion. The sixth bure
is located on the beach side where the ocean will lap the sand and
lull you to sleep each night.
 The
hexagonal shape of each bure is something very unique. The doors
on several walls can be slid open and offer 180 degree panoramas
of the ocean and the spectacular displays at sunset. Whilst relaxing
out on your deck in total seclusion no care in the world will remain.
Each bure is built and decorated with native and natural products
reflecting and blending with the environment in which it is found.
Oil lamps burn after dark, illuminating
each tropical home and lighting the way to the dining room down
the forest path. The light rhythm of the lali (drum) will break
through the natural tranquillity of the island three times a day
to beckon you to meals. The dining room welcomes you for an intimate
dinner or a lunchtime exchanging dive stories with fellow guests
or your hosts. The menu is home cooked and 100% natural, special
diets can be catered for easily. Fresh tropical fruit platters and
pineapple pancakes for breakfast may start your day which will then
be ended with a veritable feast. John, oversees the dining room
and with his charming smile and attentive manner you will receive
the best service. He may even offer a class in napkin folding if
you asked him nicely. Everybody is made to feel so comfortable in
such exquisite surroundings. 
You will need the good food if you
take advantage of the diving opportunities that Namena boasts. An
attentive and extremely professional dive crew run two dive trips
a day for certified divers. Small boat rides of 10 to 20 minutes
transfer you to the most mind-blowing, pristine dive sites. Soft
coral abounds and the diversity of marine life is awesome. Rare
nudibranch and blue-ribbon eels thrive in this immaculate ecosystem.
The dive sites offer a great diversity, whether you wish to examine
the miniature or the massive of the pelagic realm.
I thought that nothing could offer
enough reward or compensation for my dive training that took place
in water of 40c in a grotty murky quarry in the UK. I couldn’t
have been more mistaken. Namena made up for every shallow breath,
every drop of icy water and every hour of the day spent defrosting
my limbs after my first and failed open water session. Fellow divers
proclaimed that Namena offers the best soft coral sites in the world.
I wholeheartedly agree. You will spoil yourselves on this reef and
nothing will compare when it comes to the colours and vibrancy of
the coral and the diverse and abundant marine life that the reef
provides home for. I was nervous at the prospect of our first dive
in open water as certified divers. Paul was a lot more confident
than me but I just wanted that extra bit of reassurance that everything
would be ok. It was more than ok. Tom and Joan suggested Victor,
the Divemaster, should take us for a quick dive off the resort’s
jetty in calm and shallow waters as we were just certified with
limited experience. This served as much assistance for the dive
crew as it did for us. For my husband and I it was great chance
to make sure our buoyancy was perfect and it was a great and easy
refresher in much warmer waters from our certification two months
ago. For Victor it was chance to assess our abilities and plan dive
trips accordingly.
 So
that afternoon our first dive trip on Namena’s reef was at
‘The Chimneys’. Two pinnacles festooned with the most
remarkable soft coral and fascinating marine life. There was strong
current but Victor was ever present offering security and guidance
throughout the dive. We enjoyed the dive tremendously and as we
made our safety stop at five metres, at the top of the pinnacle,
we exchanged glances of awe as we looked down on one chimney. We
had been privileged guests for forty minutes in the most amazing
and pristine ecosystem.
The ecosystem of the land also deserves
much attention. The natural flora and fauna of the isle will interest
nature lovers. Banded Rails, Long-tailed Tropicbirds and Red-Footed
Boobys are your neighbours and turtles rely upon Namena for a place
to nest. The call of the Red Footed booby transfers you to a prehistoric
time as their call shrieks in the midday sun. You can easily walk
the mile from one end of the island to the other, taking in the
natural and man-made wonders of the place. Footpaths are carved
through the forest. At the top of the island is a special archaeological
site, of an ancient civilisation. A peculiar arrangement of rocks
begs the question of the island’s past; a meeting place? An
eating-place? A place of worship? As you ponder these questions
the Boobys will clown around investigating you. They have no natural
predators and their fearless attitude is beyond belief as they want
to find out who the new visitor is to their Namenalala – their
empty isle.
 You
can choose to unwind in absolute seclusion, walk the forest tracks
or kayak the local waters and circumnavigate the island. Namena
also offers great opportunities to snorkel and observe the great
diversity of marine life near the ocean’s surface. Fishing
trips from the island can be arranged following which you can eat
your own catch at the end of the day after the chef has prepared
it. Such is the warmth and friendliness of the place that if you
wanted to help prepare the dish that could also be arranged!
The beach offers total pleasure,
relaxation and seclusion and some really comfortable hammocks. Nothing
will feel sweeter than basking in its support gazing down to the
sand and sea. If you choose, a stroll down the beach will be rewarded
with a champagne picnic that can be left in the shade until your
arrival and picked up when you walk home to your bure. A divine
treat that really spoils and is ideal for the romantic in all of
us.
Not enough praise can be given to
the staff crew at Namena. A friendly and gracious crew will attend
to your every need. Special touches include fresh flower arrangements
in your room every day and chilled water in flasks on your dressing
table. Kava parties on Saturday night with the staff are informal
and friendly, exchanging stories of home and travel and partaking
in a ‘high tide’ or a ‘low tide’ if you
wish. The singing and music of the ukulele and guitar is a special
gift provided by the staff during the Kava parties. As is their
knowledge, pride and graciousness should you want any questions
answered regarding Fijian culture. Fun volleyball matches can be
organised on the sand with the staff after which, for your refreshment,
you may be lucky enough to be shown how exactly to crack a coconut
and drink it’s juice.
Moody’s Namena is a resort
in harmony with the natural beauty in which it is found. It is an
idyllic place, close to the natural world, that far too often we
divorce ourselves from. Namenalala means ‘empty isle’
but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Namena is full
of life, stories, welcome and warmth. A trip to Namena is a once
in a lifetime experience that will provide relaxation and tranquillity
coupled with as much adventure and exertion as you want.
At the end of the day the sun eases
towards the horizon and casts a thousand shades of red and gold
in to the sky. Watch this magnificent show from the deck of your
bure and watch as frigate birds berate the other sea birds and steal
their food. The quiet indulgence of this paradise leaves the soul
revived and memory full of a very special place.
About The Author:
Jill
is on a year long honeymoon with her husband Paul. At the moment
she is living and working in New Zealand and enjoying the opportunity
to write. She is originally from the UK and is hoping to start a
MA in Creative Writing on her return.
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