As soon as we left Jean- Michel Cousteau Resort, Savusavu and left for Labasa airport to catch our Fiji Link flight ( Inter Island Domestic Airlines of Fiji Airways) to go to the Capital city of Fiji we all started talking about our next destination. I am sure after spending some amazing time at the some of the luxurious resort in past two days, our expectations have grown from down to super up. We started even communicating about the possibilities of what better it can be from here. We knew we are going to Mainland so we will have lots of new things on our way but never knew what it can be and how will it be?
In and around one and hour hours time we reached at the labasa airport from Savusavu. From far we felt is it an airport ? or they will take us to airport from here? I mean from any point of view it was not looked like an airport. Small terminal with basic facilities and really nothing special for me but I think it was sufficient for the needs of commuters. I was happy though it was small air strip and basic terminal but it had all the facilities to fulfil the basic needs of travellers. It had baggage trolley, refreshment counters, chairs to sit in waiting area and most important toilet facilities. I mean what else one need for a quick flight to get connected to the mainland.
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| Check in counter of Fiji Link Airlines @ Labasa airport |
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| Inside the Terminal of Labasa airport |
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| Waiting area at Labada Airport |
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| Some Instructions about the items one can carry in hand baggage. |
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| Boarding Pass of Fiji Link Airlines. |
At the check in counter there were some doubts about the weight in our check in baggage but we managed it by taking some stuff out from it and kept it in the hand baggage to solve it. I think there was some issue with the weight machine and I advise everyone to take bit of care at the Labasa airport with Fiji Link.
Soon after our check in the flight arrived at the airstip and we were asked to board it without any security check with which we are so habitual by now. But like always Fijian people trust so much to their citizen and even to their guest ( tourist). As and when we entered in the aircraft of Fiji link I found some nice fragrance in the aircraft and yes it was kept very clean too.
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Fiji Link Aircraft
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It was just above 30 minutes of flying and we were about to touch down the runway of Suva. Once again a cute little terminal where the loader pulled our luggage just in front of us from our aircraft and kept on the small conveyer belt. Soon after collecting our baggage we came out of the terminal and there were rains to welcome us. I found the perfect welcome as our local representative was waiting for us at the airport with his minivan and luggage carrier attached.
The best thing about the airport of Suva is, it is located at Nausori which is about 45 mins away from Suva. while going on our way at the Hotel Grand Pacific where we were going to stay that night. We passed through the beautiful coastline of the city of suva and we even saw the president house which is nicely located in front of the coastline and our hotel was just across the road of the president house.
Before we reached at the Hotel Grand Pacific we stopped at one of the unique location. The factory of the "PURE FIJI" products. It was the main factory and it also had the factory outlet attached. I mean what else you need when you are at the factory of Pure Fiji. Pure Fiji brings the best of the ancient traditions combined with advanced technology for today's natural body care.
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Factory of Pure Fiji in Suva
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After spending some time for shopping of Pure Fiji product at the factory outlet. After a short ride from Factory we reached our next destination - "The Grand Pacific Hotel". One of the very first hotel established in Fiji. It has has a rich legacy attached with it.
For the first time when it was made 23rd May 1914 by the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand to cater the requirement of superior accommodation in suva. It has hosted several notable celebrities like Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, Dame Nellie Melba and most notable among all is Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 1953, a grand ball held in her honour and she even attached a state dinner in 1973. The is a suite dedicated on her name called "Queen Elizabeth Suite".
1958 The union Steamship relinquished and new owners have taken over until 1980. After 1980 hotel started to decline with number of owners changs. Finally they closed the door of the hotel in 1990.
in 2011 new management decided to open resurrection with joint venture between Fiji National Provident fund ,Papua New Guinea superannuation fund and Lamana Development PNG. After extensive research and sympathetic restoration of the heritage building they opened the door for the world in 2014.
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| Main Entrance of GPH |
The management has done great work in keeping the colonial heritage look intact. The moment we stopped at the main entrance we got the feeling of entering into a colonial style building. I mean from names to the looks to the amenities are kept as it was at that time.
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| Arial View of the grand lobby at GPH |
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| Reception area of GPH |
I think the rooms are just like any other 5 star hotel with beautiful view of the ocean and swimming pool. I think apart from history what makes this hotel worth staying is the location. The hotel is so well placed in front of the president house and centrally located in the city of Suva. Nothing is too far for you if you are staying at Grand Pacific hotel. I think because of the location and heritage value most of the state guest around world have been hosted at this beautiful hotel. They have a wall with pictures of the distinguished guest who have stayed at Grand Pacific Hotel in recent past.
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| View from The Room of GPH |
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| Wall with Photograph of World leaders who stayed at GPH |
To me, the most exciting and connected among all was the prime minister of India - Shri Narandra Modi. He stayed at the same hotel as was hosted as state guest for 2 days by the government of Fiji. He has spent almost 2 days at the hotel with his state dinner also was served in the prestigious restaurant of the Grand Pacific Hotel.We were fortunate to get to visit the room where Mr. Prime Minister was hosted during his visit.
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| Room Where Prime Minister of India Stayed at GPH |
I guess the best part of the visit to Grand Pacific hotel was to enjoy the dinner at the same venue where Mr. Prime Minister was hosted a state dinner and eat the food cooked by the same chef who has cooked for Mr. Prime Minister.
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| Set up for the Hosted Dinner at Main restaurant of GPH |
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| Dinner table Setup for our Hosted Dinner |
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| Traditional Drink "Kava" made with twist by the Executive Chef |
I think the visit to Suva "The Capital City" wouldn't have completed if you don't stay at The Grand Pacific hotel. I think coming from Private Island properties and after stayed at some of the ultra luxurious resort GPH might feel little different but it's the charm of the place which keep the place alive and worth staying.
In my next blog I am going to talk about the most exciting adventurous sport I have experienced in natural terrain of the Fijian Forest. Also I will talk about my experience of staying at one of the most economical yet vibrant with location. The longest and most scenic coastal line we have experienced in Fiji till not.
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