Jodie’s Retreat – Savusavu, Fiji

Jodie’s Retreat (the big white house) perches high on the escarpment above Savusavu, seemingly floating between the ever changing alluring colour of heavenly skies & a dynamic bustling earth community below. The house virtually inhales the spicey scents & panoramic vistas of Savusavu bay – auspiciously labelled “the hidden paradise of Fiji”.

Jodie has injected years of blood, sweat & tears into this custom build on Fiji’s north island, Vanua Levu. The home is designed to host any type of stay from couples to a large family unit or small wellbeing retreat … complete with yoga deck, props & equipment, catering staff, infinity pool & compulsory well positioned hammock! You can make your stay as intimate or communal as you choose.

It’s a two minute taxi ride or short walk into Savusavu town centre. One of the focal points is the renovated 19th century original Copra Shed Marina (traditionally copra was Savusavu’s biggest export). The portside venue now houses the sociable Savusavu Yacht club & other small boutiques galleries & agencies.  Cruisers, catamarans & yachts of all sizes dot the bay … reminiscent of any international port or seaside town. The ancient & new, cultural & diverse, local & foreign fuse together creating a swashbuckling atmosphere. Fijian locals & expats from Europe, Australia & NZ uniting to manifest a dynamic melting pot of new ideas, influences & industry. 

A second focal point is the large central produce markets where vendors, farmers & fishermen sell their wares: seafood, vegetables, fruit, eggs, kava, clothes & meats. Savusavu village offers food for a plethora of palates. There’s no peddling or harassment, just transients mixing with locals going about their every day business.

Twenty minutes west of town, the Fijian families of Vuadomo Village host guests to their private waterfall in exchange for tied bundles of kava root purchased in town. All visits must first be approved my the village chief, so it may be best to engage the services of a local guide.

Savusavu is eclectic, earthy & raw but rich in the potential of human learning. As we see by the big white house’s resistance to December’s tropical cyclone Yasa, this is a place of possibility where mother nature rules. We are challenged to leave our judgements & conditioning from home behind to live in the glorious omnipotence of the here and now …

Peruse the home on Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/33458874?s=67&unique_share_id=e8dc69ae-a0f3-4104-8996-a3bff64610be  

visit & follow Jodie on Instagram @jodies_retreat_savusavu

Savusavu can be reached by plane from Nandi (1hr) or by ferry from Suva (12hr overnight) … for a little more adventure, fly into Labasa & overland by airport transfer.

Activities: scuba diving, pearl farm visit, shopping, restaurants, art classes, boat charter, fishing, kayaking, SUP, hiking

It’s nearly time to open the travel bubble … Sunset & cocktails anyone ?... Bula 🌴🍹🌅