So finally, we entered through the gate of Namale Resort and Spa, Fiji. I started getting the feeling of heading towards a hidden quest of nature. Everything we were noticing was kept in its natural form.The road which was leading us towards the reception of the resort took almost 5 minutes from the main gate and those 5 minutes were actually worth of every second. We had been hearing a lot about it even before we started our journey from some of our friends who had been here before. I was trying to get the feel of the place as more than 500 acres of land 150 plus staff to cater maximum of 40 to45 guests at a time. I mean why is it so special and what is making it one of the best resort not only in Fiji but in the world? The answer was not so far as the moment we stopped at the reception we got a surprise. The whole team of Namale were there to welcome us with some traditional and beautiful welcome song.
What a beautiful song it was though I didn't understand anything but sometime music breaks all the barriers and touch the heart directly. I found the same magic and we just got attached to the place and people around. Smiling and cheerful faces of people were welcoming us with ever refreshing freshly made watermelon juice. It was a perfect start of our stay at Namale.
Soon after the welcome procedure we were formally welcomed by Mrs. Nowdla Keefe, Co - General Manager of Namale Resort and Spa. I found her not a native Fijian but still her spirit and positivity was no less than a true Fijian, wow I think the air in Fiji is such... but I shall not take the credit away from Nowdla as She was a lady with a mission. Mission of making every guest feel so welcomed. I mean she has a ready to help attitude and her smiling face makes you feel so comfortable in the first meeting that your rest of the stay at Namale makes you feel you are at your friends place and you are free to enjoy whatever you want and you can order whatever you wish.
We were offered to have a their signature massage at their spa center soon after we arrived from our super long journey. What better way to start I guess and being a real opportunist, I opted the offer as soon as it was made. There was a slot available at 10am and it was 8.30am in the clock. As I was into 10am slot I wanted to rushed to my room which was "Susana" as it was written on the Key.
Soon I realised there are no numbers to the room but they have names to all rooms and all bure in Namale are differently build thus they are different from each other. So selecting a correct room for you is also very important while travelling to Namale. Also you need is a map of the resort which you will get at the time of check in. Don't worry even if you miss it the staff at Namale will not let you go missing until you don't want.
We were asked to take our breakfast and then go to room. It was really kind of Nowdla to offer this as I was really starving for food. We were sent to the main restaurant of the resort and I discovered the tradition of removing footwear before you enter in restaurant. I found it very cool as in India we do follow this tradition at home but for the first time I found it in a restaurant of a resort. So was getting more and more excited to explore the resort as I was sure that I am going to learn and discover a lot of new things about Fiji and its culture during my stay at Namale. Now, we were at the breakfast venue and what an amazing view of Pacific ocean, coconut trees and amazing host from Namale to serves us whatever we demand. They served a la cart unlimited menu for breakfast and it was served in Namale style with maximum use of locally farmed and freshly cooked products.
And yes, if you don't want to have your breakfast at the main restaurant and if you say I want to have the breakfast next to the beach or you say next to the waterfall or you say under the cave or you simply say I want to have it in my room ... Team Namale is happily ready to serve your needs as they have unique dining venues to offer you not only breakfast but lunch and dinner too. They can serve you at your wished or dreamed place. And not to mention they don't charge anything extra for this out of the way hospitality.
Now, as I was done with my breakfast and it was 9:50 am on the clock so I rushed to my room - Susana which was located just in front of the reception. About 30 steps path way leading to my bure I get to see from far a welcome sign with flower petals, next was the name of a bure written on the door. What I see next is my name engraved on a wood plate which was an amazing surprise but it was just the beginning.
I am yet to enter in my room so let's wait and watch whats more is stored for me in the room. As soon as I opened the door and I found out that it is a honeymoon bure and it was as big as an apartment of 3 bedroom in any developed city. I literally had to walk not less than 20 steps from my bedroom to go to Washroom. It also had an open to sky, sea facing heated plunge pool just outside my bedroom. I was wondering why do I have to leave this room in another 10 minutes. After long flights and healthy tasty breakfast and such luxurious room with really KING size & Style bed what I really wanted was a good nap but soon my conscious told me "not to take so much time as you are in Namale just for a day so enjoy every moment and come back with your wife to just relax". I started wondering is it my inner conscious or my wife telling me through telepathy but whatever it was I didn't want to reach late for spa so I changed my clothes in real hurry and left for spa in a buggy ride offered by Nowdla. See I told you she has become a true fijian after staying in Namale for more than 8 years. She makes sure that your stay at Namale becomes the most comfortable and luxurious ones.
Here I am , at the spa centre of Namale and once again we were welcomed by the staff with same smile and cheerful way as we have been welcomed ever since we are in Fiji. The lady offered me the spa menu to select the treatment I wish to take. I selected the swedish massage as after a long flight and journey I wanted some relaxation. After the treatment of 90 minutes I felt that this was the best decision so far as I was more relaxed, calm and felt so peaceful that while coming out of the spa centre I didn't notice the glass wall between me and the buggy. So I banged my head on the glass, luckily I didn't feel the pain as I was relaxed and gliding on cloud 9.
It was 2 o'clock and we were ready to go for a snorkeling dive, my first ever dive in pacific ocean. Team Namale had made all the arrangements for us and they gave us all the necessary equipment for snorkeling and not to mention that snorkeling and all other activities like kayaking, kite surfing, horse riding, driving track, and many many more activities are free to offer for the house guest. I can say except the Spa treatment and Scuba diving everything one needs is included in this ultra luxurious premium all inclusive resort. When I say all inclusive means really all inclusive resort inclusive of mini bar, premium brands hard liquor and anything you wish and demand. Also they have activity centre full of indoor games like bowling alley, Table tennis, air hockey and what not. They also have fully equipped golf course and mini golf on the house too. I felt that they totally believe in this phrase "Your wish is my command".
After our return from Snorkeling trip we were called for hosted dinner by Bill and Nowdla. Bill is husband of Nowdla and Co- General Manager at Namale Resort and Spa. They took us first to drink very famous local drink called " kava" in kava drinking ceremony . Fijians have a tradition of drinking kava and a very traditional way of making it too. I was explained the same by Bill and he also taught me how to ask for Kava with one clap and clap 3 times to signal that you have finished it. They play local music and make kava and let you enjoy the whole atmosphere. I think we couldn't have asked for a better evening than this to our first evening in Fiji "Bulaland".
Soon after we finished our mouthwatering stumptuous hosted dinner with Bill and Nowdla, me and some of my friends rushed to activity center which stays open for 24 hours as guest can enjoy it anytime they want. We also played some games and chatted for almost 2 hours. Soon after that we felt like celebrating our never ending day at Namale with champagne which was kept in our room to welcome us. I think that day never wanted to over and we also didn't want to finish it as it was the longest and most luxurious day of my life. I literally lived the KING's life at Namale.
Next Morning was again to remember as it started raining and I was having my breakfast in my room overlooking the amazing view of pacific ocean passing my plunge pool. I think every second Spend at this paradise or I should say Hidden jewel " meaning of the name Namale in Fijian language" made me feel like a real king. I was privileged and honored to be at Namale as I have understood the real meaning of hospitality and luxury. I think one should go to Namale to know the real Fijian hospitality. Now I became more curious as this was the start what all will follow but I was so sure that what we have experienced in Namale we will never in life get to experience elsewhere.
We thought it's over at
Namale and it's time to say goodbye to this little hidden heaven, but like
every-time team Namale came with last surprise " creating a brick your name written on it". Which means my names stay in the Namale
forever.
And yes how can they send me without a signature way of farewell ceremony. Once again the whole team of Namale gathered at the reception to sing a traditional song to say good bye.
Next stop is Jean - Michel Cousteau resort.. It is as different as the name of the resort. But It's one of its kind resort where you get too close to the nature in its original form so look forward to my next blog where I will share my experience of staying with one more unique Luxurious Eco Friendly resort where I will not have Air Condition, Telephone and Television but still I will not have time to miss all those things.
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