Sydney winter was really getting me down. You know that feeling - the endless grey skies, the bone-deep chill that no amount of coffee seems to fix, the way 5pm feels like midnight. I needed an escape, and I needed it fast. A quick trip to the Pacific islands was required, and with only a week to spare, it had to be somewhere close by.
Fiji won. Only four hours away and calling my name like the old friend it is.
I've visited Fiji many times before and absolutely love the island life, but this time we decided to stay on the main island and headed to the Coral Coast for the best beaches and crystal clear water. Sometimes the most familiar destinations still have new stories to tell.
Home Away From Home at Natadola Beach
We made our base at Yatule Resort and Spa on Natadola Beach - rated as one of the best beaches in the world, and honestly, you can see why the moment you arrive. Walking into the resort, we were greeted with the warmest "BULA!" you've ever heard. This place feels like a second home, and being welcomed back in typical Fijian manner reminded me exactly why I keep coming back.
Natadola Beach is pure perfection. That endless stretch of pristine white sand meets water so crystal clear you can count the fish swimming around your feet. It's the kind of beach that makes you wonder why you live anywhere else.
Island Life Perfection
The days found their perfect rhythm: morning swims in that impossibly clear water, afternoons of remote work under the palms (because sometimes you need to stay connected, even in paradise), and evenings that belonged entirely to cocktails and those legendary Fijian sunsets that paint the entire sky in shades of pink and gold.
I road-tested our new mesh tees during this trip, and honestly, they were the perfect island companion. Lightweight enough to keep you cool in the tropical climate, but polished enough to transition seamlessly from beachside laptop sessions to resort cocktails and canapés. There's something about the right piece that just works everywhere - resort dining, sunset drinks, or lounging by the infinity pool.
How To Pack
Packing for a spontaneous trip meant keeping things simple, and my island vacation uniform made it effortless: the iconic Salty Dog Bandits (because what's a beach holiday without the perfect denim shorts?), a classic black tee, and our studded slides. This trio has become my go-to for any island escape - comfortable enough for long beach walks, cool enough for sunset drinks, and effortlessly stylish for those inevitable holiday snaps. Sometimes the best vacation wardrobes are the ones that feel like a second skin.
The spontaneous nature of the trip made it even sweeter. No over-planning, no packed itineraries - just following the sun and seeing where each day took us along the coastline.
The Ultimate Winter Reset
The pièce de résistance? An island massage at Yatule's day spa that melted away every last trace of Sydney winter tension. Nothing quite compares to a treatment with ocean breezes and the sound of waves as your soundtrack, knowing that just outside, Natadola's world-renowned beach is waiting for your return.
By the end of the week, Sydney's winter felt like it belonged to someone else entirely. My shoulders had dropped, my skin had found its glow, and I'd remembered what it feels like to live in summer clothes and island time.
Four Hours to Paradise
Flying back into Sydney's drizzle could have been devastating, but instead I felt completely recharged. Sometimes you don't need to venture to the most remote corner of the Pacific to find your perfect escape - sometimes your favorite resort is waiting to welcome you back with open arms and a warm "BULA!"
Fiji, I'll be back soon. x
xox
Love,
Liz