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Date: 7th March 2009
**WARNING** Proceed with caution
I believe the authors had good luck staying at Safari Lodge. I actually had the misfortune of staying at Safari Lodge once, had I known what I know today I can only say that anyone in the right mind should AVOID the place, just pick up a copy of the latest edition of Lonely Planet quote "avoid the place completley, we have been inundated with adverse comments" is uncharatercistically stated in black and white for good reasons too. My experiences defy belief, the lodge is a depressing construction site, the rooms are shabby and he had the nerve to try and charge $250 per night for a sub standard backpacker dorm. It was mosquito ridden, the water was stale, loud reverberating generator noises drown out any peace and quite and to make matters worse WARREN FRANCIS the owner, didn't refund our pre paid trip when we wanted to leave to another backpackers (after the first night) If your heading to Nananu I Ra, there are other places too stay at namely Chalies Place, Macdonalds Backpackers, Voli Voli Beach, and Bethams Cottages ALL are a higher standard of accommodation and have better facilities, food, cheaper boat transfers between Nananu I Ra and Ellington Wharf and are far better value for money. From what I have heard Warren's cash cow is closing down, so good riddance to bad rubbish! Refer to these links for more info and I hope you have a great holiday and enjoy Nananu as I did, it is one of the top islands in Fiji. Google search his name and check trip advisor, also DON'T PAY IN ADVANCE, this is not the norm for hotels in Fiji so do insist on checking out the place before going there.
From Blog: Kitesurfing at Safari Lodge, Nananu-i-ra
**WARNING** Proceed with caution
I believe the authors had good luck staying at Safari Lodge. I actually had the misfortune of staying at Safari Lodge once, had I known what I know today I can only say that anyone in the right mind should AVOID the place, just pick up a copy of the latest edition of Lonely Planet quote "avoid the place completley, we have been inundated with adverse comments" is uncharatercistically stated in black and white for good reasons too. My experiences defy belief, the lodge is a depressing construction site, the rooms are shabby and he had the nerve to try and charge $250 per night for a sub standard backpacker dorm. It was mosquito ridden, the water was stale, loud reverberating generator noises drown out any peace and quite and to make matters worse WARREN FRANCIS the owner, didn't refund our pre paid trip when we wanted to leave to another backpackers (after the first night) If your heading to Nananu I Ra, there are other places too stay at namely Chalies Place, Macdonalds Backpackers, Voli Voli Beach, and Bethams Cottages ALL are a higher standard of accommodation and have better facilities, food, cheaper boat transfers between Nananu I Ra and Ellington Wharf and are far better value for money. From what I have heard Warren's cash cow is closing down, so good riddance to bad rubbish! Refer to these links for more info and I hope you have a great holiday and enjoy Nananu as I did, it is one of the top islands in Fiji. Google search his name and check trip advisor, also DON'T PAY IN ADVANCE, this is not the norm for hotels in Fiji so do insist on checking out the place before going there.
From Blog: Kitesurfing at Safari Lodge, Nananu-i-ra
Date: 29th October 2008
Fergburger's done but the Tongariro has been shut due to deep snow and ice...
From Blog: On the road to Taupo
Fergburger's done but the Tongariro has been shut due to deep snow and ice...
From Blog: On the road to Taupo
Date: 29th October 2008
Im green with envy..
I'm so jealous guys, i have been to every single one of these places (bar the powerstation?!!) and i loved New Zealand with a passion - its so stunning - and your making me want to go back even more. Sounds like your having a fantastic time! make sure you do the tongariro crossing and have a burger in Queenstown for me in Fergburger - it would be a crime not to trust me... H
From Blog: On the road to Taupo
Im green with envy..
I'm so jealous guys, i have been to every single one of these places (bar the powerstation?!!) and i loved New Zealand with a passion - its so stunning - and your making me want to go back even more. Sounds like your having a fantastic time! make sure you do the tongariro crossing and have a burger in Queenstown for me in Fergburger - it would be a crime not to trust me... H
From Blog: On the road to Taupo
Date: 16th August 2008
The charm of south america
I am so nostalgic seeing your photos from Argentina, you cant not fall in love with it!... I am so happy you are there ! Ross I was the same as you, never touched red wine until Argentina, it was life changing! I am in Portugal staying with my firend, her boyf is Brasilian, we want to make a trip this christmas. I miss it, i miss that laidback, fresh South american vibe! Enjoy it all!!! keep the stories coming. love Lizzie xxx
From Blog: GAP Adventures
The charm of south america
I am so nostalgic seeing your photos from Argentina, you cant not fall in love with it!... I am so happy you are there ! Ross I was the same as you, never touched red wine until Argentina, it was life changing! I am in Portugal staying with my firend, her boyf is Brasilian, we want to make a trip this christmas. I miss it, i miss that laidback, fresh South american vibe! Enjoy it all!!! keep the stories coming. love Lizzie xxx
From Blog: GAP Adventures
Date: 1st August 2008
Maté
Dude, the reason anglos keeping writing maté instead of mate is because it's the easiest way to explain to the folks back home how to pronounce it. The word 'mate' in english is pronounced 'mayt' and means friend.
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Maté
Dude, the reason anglos keeping writing maté instead of mate is because it's the easiest way to explain to the folks back home how to pronounce it. The word 'mate' in english is pronounced 'mayt' and means friend.
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Date: 31st July 2008
Mate (just like this)
Why anglos keep writing everywhere maté? Is "mate". Maté means "i killed". Wonderful, did you enjoy chinchulines? i want some
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Mate (just like this)
Why anglos keep writing everywhere maté? Is "mate". Maté means "i killed". Wonderful, did you enjoy chinchulines? i want some
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Date: 27th July 2008
Loving the blue steel blog picture, it must be hard traveling around the world when you are really, really, ridiculously good looking. Great effort with the BBQ as well Ross, Kaz wont even contemplate black pudding let alone an intestine, although I did have to frisk him when we went to the aquarium in Perth to make sure he didn't have a harpoon, I think he thought we were going to an all you can eat buffet. Blimming Japanese! Take care Kate x
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Loving the blue steel blog picture, it must be hard traveling around the world when you are really, really, ridiculously good looking. Great effort with the BBQ as well Ross, Kaz wont even contemplate black pudding let alone an intestine, although I did have to frisk him when we went to the aquarium in Perth to make sure he didn't have a harpoon, I think he thought we were going to an all you can eat buffet. Blimming Japanese! Take care Kate x
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Date: 25th July 2008
Hello
Hi Ross and Polly, really good to see your blogg and what you have been up to. Can't beleive you've done so much already. Ross, I'm glad to see you've abadoned them ridicoulous white frames, ha. You look very much like Judge Jules. Is that my Box Fersh t shirt I gave to the charity shop, ha ha. Making my annual visit to Cardiff next week, will be odd not seeing you there. Take Care Ian
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Hello
Hi Ross and Polly, really good to see your blogg and what you have been up to. Can't beleive you've done so much already. Ross, I'm glad to see you've abadoned them ridicoulous white frames, ha. You look very much like Judge Jules. Is that my Box Fersh t shirt I gave to the charity shop, ha ha. Making my annual visit to Cardiff next week, will be odd not seeing you there. Take Care Ian
From Blog: What's the Maté?
Date: 11th July 2008
injuries galore...
Hi guys, by the time you get back there wont be any of you left at this rate Ross - and you will stub the same toe many many times... trust me its always the same one and eventually your nail drops off! yuck! anyway looks like you guys started well its gorgeous in Brazil keep the blogs coming i'm getting tips for my next trip ;-). Have a good one x
From Blog: More Rio de Janeiro...
injuries galore...
Hi guys, by the time you get back there wont be any of you left at this rate Ross - and you will stub the same toe many many times... trust me its always the same one and eventually your nail drops off! yuck! anyway looks like you guys started well its gorgeous in Brazil keep the blogs coming i'm getting tips for my next trip ;-). Have a good one x
From Blog: More Rio de Janeiro...
ross and polly
on the blog...
Safari Lodge Comments
Oh dear! Sounds like you did have a rough time. We didn't pay anywhere near that amount. In fact, it was cheaper than most of the budget places in Nadi when we stayed. There's not many kitesurfing set-ups in Fiji so unfortunately choice is limited but this place did come recommended by a reputable kitesurfing shop in Auckland. The place was empty while we were there and we had the pick of the dorm rooms. I guess you ended up in the one at the very top by the building site and electricity generators. Was it high season/fully booked while you were there? As per our blog, Warren was in Australia so we didn't have the pleasure of meeting him, though he was quite active in following up with courtesy e-mails. As a watersports resort for people on a backpacker budget, it was ideal for us. I guess if you'd specifically travelled half way across the world and had booked to stay for a fortnight, it'd be a different story. Hopefully, people planning on heading out there will have the sense to research reviews, blogs and comments like these before making their own minds up. If the latest write-up in the Lonely Planet is as you say, it'll probably finish the place off for good anyway...
From Blog: Kitesurfing at Safari Lodge, Nananu-i-ra