DAY 02: MORNING GLORY
The morning washes over the island with colourful allure. The sunrise imitates the colours of the wildflowers blossoming against the rainforest canopy. Some visitors have already ventured out into the water, silhouetted in the early light on stand-up paddleboards, pushing themselves across the tranquil water calmed by the natural barrier reefs around the island. At breakfast, the tropical culinary world of the islands comes to life. Juicy watermelon shimmer with moisture, and creamy jackfruit can grow larger than a bowling ball in the tropical ecosystem.
Everyone smiles with sincerity, saying “Bula,” to anyone and everyone. The island sets a relaxed pace helping you settle into the beauty all around you. In the midmorning warmth you decide to grab a snorkel and some fins, eager to dip into the soft South Pacific to view the coral reefs near the beach. Once in the water, you let the current guide you away from the shore. The hard coral erupts with pink and green pigment. Vibrant fish swim in, out, and around the reef. There are over 1,200 types of hard and soft coral around the islands.
The soft coral looks like tiny trees caught in a shifting wind, moving elegantly in the water’s ebb and flow. The water embraces you with a cool touch. The island has created a marine reserve stretching from around the treasured shores of nearby Beqa Lagoon. You spot the iridescence of a parrotfish moving closer to the reef. The fish can grow up to 20 inches in length. Their teeth are positioned in a way reminiscent of a parrot’s beak. Their scales shimmer in the light, ranging from dark blue to neon pink.