marilyncV694TY
May 31, 2023
I was urged by a friend to go to this retreat - called the Wellness Weekend at the La Dolce Vita Villas in Naqere, past Savusavu in Vanua Levu. I missed out on the first one due to work. I also really have been wanting to get back into yoga, having fallen off the wagon during the pandemic. The organizer, Raewyn, was really good at keeping in touch and guiding me through logistics. Later I learned that she is a massage therapist - and a very skilled one too. I received one massage from her and one from another practitioner - both were very good although very different. Liti, the yoga teacher, has an approach that is very gentle and nurturing - I benefited a lot from the yoga sessions and am now getting myself back into yoga, as intended. I also very much enjoyed the food prepared by Chef Michelle, who worked hard to give me excellent vegan and gluten-free fare on this vegetarian retreat (although meat and fish were served in the final lunch). The venue is stunning, with two cute and friendly pups (Jack and Jill) and a mischievous cat (Pash) who roam the property. The lagoon and salt water pool are wonderful refuges. I loved my villa, which was spacious and comfortable with a large bathroom. The only thing I would change would be to have the villas be screened, so that mosquitos would not disturb me as much as they did. We missed out on the waterfall trek due to weather, and did not do a tour or tasting of Koko Mana chocolate, due to weather and timing, but I appreciated being able to buy some of the locally made treats, which are very tasty. A lovely retreat in a beautiful location with wonderful people that I enjoyed bonding with. Thank you Raewyn, Liti and team!