We’ve arrived! And in style!
After two days of travel, we arrived at Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji. I’ve been to 
countless resorts around the world and experienced luxury at it’s finest, but when we walked the grounds of Matangi today, I knew I was in Paradise. Every inch of the island is postcard perfect.
Matangi Island Resort is a small, intimate beach resort situated on Matangi Island in the northern Fiji Islands. It’s the only resort on the horse-show-shaped private island; wrapped by several beautiful beaches and aqua blue waters, it is listed in “1,000 Places to See Before You Die”.
As a group, we explored the island by boat, listened to the local singers preform for us, and we feasted like royalty on lobster and steak.
Now, I sit in the restaurant listening to the gentle sound of lapping waves and enjoying the 270-degree views of the ocean and I’m reminded of all of the beauty that exists in the world. The beach stretches out in the foreground while the lush rainforest awaits behind.
The only thing more relaxing will be sinking into my canopy bed while being lulled to sleep by the crashing waves.
Stay tuned for more pictures and my ill-attempt at describing a real Paradise.
Bucket List Publications 
Beautiful…Wish I was there! 🙂
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my middle name has just changed – I am now Joanna Jealousy-I-Hate-You-Lesley ********
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true paradise!!! wish I was there too!!!! xxx
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BULA! I LOVE Fiji and would dearly love to visit Matangi one day. My friends and I try and go every year so I’ll definitely have to start planting the seed. Vinaka!
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wow wow wow!!! That place looks perfect! I wish I could go there!!
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I am temporarily working in Suva, Fiji for a couple of months. Have been to Taveuni, but the resort is on another island…??? Looking forward to more info. Ps, raining a lot in Suva but it’s warm… :).
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Omg it looks amazing!
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That looks great! 2 days of travel- ouch
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Wow Awesome i really like…….
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Beautiful! How I wish….
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Wow !! i have no words to explain 🙂
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I enjoyed reading this. It looks a lot like Tahiti (which I visited in 1979), but the people are different–Melanesian, rather than Polynesian. Beautiful photos! I also felt Tahiti was one of the two places I’ve ever been to which really lived up to the travel brochures.
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Just – WOW! I am so looking forward to reading more about Fiji as we make a decision on where we are going to stay. That looks just stunning – is it child friendly or more of an adult resort?
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WOW! the resort looks amazing!
Have you ever been to Bora Bora (French Polynesia)? I think that the best paradise-style place in the world is the view from the resort Intercontinental Le Moana Bora Bora http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/borabora-lemoana
I was there during my honeymoon and the water was stunning!
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It really does look like paradise!
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My husband and I are hoping to travel to Fiji to build Habitat houses this coming year. Thanks for your post. It just confirms our resolve to see this beautiful country up close! http://ohtheplaceswesee.com
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My parents have been to Fiji a few times and love it!
Say say its one of the best places to travel!
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Hey! You’ve made it! Happy holidays there! kisses and hugs!
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Gorgeous! Yet another place to add to my list to see before I die! Hope you have a great time.
Love, B
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Wow amazing blog
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Looks amazing, i’ve gotta go! Keep the photos coming 🙂
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Thanks for the updates! So beautiful 🙂
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Wow! I am super jealous!!
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Oh my god! This place looks heavenly!
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I’m sooooo envious….. Enjoy your time in Fiji! =)
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True Paradise. I love seeing posts of your adventures!
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Thank you so much for sharing. Very enjoyable and beautiful. Wishing you a wonderful visit.
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I can only dream of going to such a wonderful place! 🙂
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Beautiful place to be! Would love to go. Went there via Google Earth… Just not the same. ;(
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The pictures say so much. Fiji looks beautiful. I hope to visit soon 🙂
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Pingback: Redefining Paradise: Matangi Private Island Resort, Fiji | Holidays, Honeymoons, Golf, Ski, Cruise
Huh. I haven’t really had much of a bucket list. Once I put “pet a giraffe” on my bucket list because there was a baby giraffe at the petting zoo we were at. Then I did it.!! Yeah, I’m like that. But NOW I AM MAKING A BUCKET LIST!!! ha ha ha Enjoy every second, and come back and tell Athena all about it. much love,
your old lady archivist fan.
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Looks great! Have fun.
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I found your blog because you liked a post of mine about Suva Fiji (http://cabscoverscocktails.com/2012/07/18/international-clubbing-oreillys-in-suva-city-fiji/). I am so glad you are there! Fijians are the nicest people I’ve ever met! While I was on the main island (Veti Levu) the majority of the time, I also visited an island resort (Beachcomber) – it is truly paradise down there. Make sure to try my fav. Fiji taste treats: Kokonda (like cevechie + coconut milk), pickled pork and palusami. I’ll be back in 2014!
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Thanks for the like, Lesley! Looks like you are having a great time in Fiji. Trade you!
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Wonderful looking place! Love the bed!! Reminds me a bit of Bora Bora 🙂
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With today’s cold temperatures, I really needed this escape to paradise. 🙂 Thanks!
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Wow, Lesley….Gorgeous. I can hear the waves.
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Lesley, it looks just gorgeous!! Enjoy your time there! Looking forward to more pictures!
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Fiji is definitely on my bucket list. Thanks for another great destination posting!
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Thank you for sharing. Best, Mtetar
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Looks so beautiful and serene… Enjoy your stay!!
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Oh WOW! Fiji is truly the top of my bucket list!! Thank you for such a wonderful post & sharing such lovely photos, Lesley! Hope you have an amazing time – can’t wait to hear more about it! 🙂
My hope is to one day travel to Fiji to photograph the beauty of the islands and the people… I’m an artist/photographer and that is my dream location. Now all I need is an upgrade to my camera system and some travel $$! 🙂
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We thought we could make a trip to the amazing Fiji during our short stay in New Zealand but we couldn’t. Well, we will feed our eyes with your photos then.
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Lesley, you look so happy! It’s on the list….maybe. Twenty more years and counting!
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Next time pack me in your luggage. lol
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How many other guests/rooms were on the island. When you said “private” I imagined you had it all to yourself. (Not to downplay the I-totally-hate-you-out-of-unmitigated jealousy thing.
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Your pictures are wonderful, and it does look like paradise! Enjoy!
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Lesley, first, you look great! Second, I’m looking forward to seeing more pics and hearing more as I compile my own “bucket list” of places to see before I depart this earth. I will just have to live vicariously through you in the meantime.
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