The sunsets are beautiful at Likuliku Lagoon Resort, Fiji. Photo / Supplied
For a few blissful days before a conference, Leah McLennan enjoys a luxurious bonding time with her beloved mum.
"Do you think we'll have separate beds?" asks my mum.
"I really hope so," I reply.
To be honest Fiji, let alone an adults-only resort, was never on my list of possible destinations for a holiday with my mum.
But Likuliku Lagoon is making me think again.
It's 27C, I've transformed from a scarf-wearer to a bikini-clad bather, we're waving at couples we recognise from the South Sea Cruises transfer from Denarau Marina and sipping welcome drinks.
Perusing the other guests around the sleek infinity pool, it's obvious we're the only pair who won't be doing any kissing this weekend.
The lovebirds range in age from a young man holding hands with a woman who is heavily pregnant to a group of grey-haired couples who are laughing together like lifelong friends.
It's the ideal romantic escape, whether you're in love or rediscovering love.
It all makes me miss my husband.
Rewind several months and the opportunity for me to go to a conference in Fiji suddenly pops up.
I'm not sure whether to attend - we've got two gorgeous, exhausting kids to consider.
"You should go, take your mum," says my husband, who can't accompany me because of work commitments.
Fast forward to the present and here we are at Likuliku, one of Fiji's most luxurious resorts, living it up like rock stars for two days before the conference.
Initial impressions are excellent.
Arriving by boat (or helicopter) the first thing you see is a string of overwater bures - Fiji's first and only.
There are also bures on terra firma with private dipping pools: one has our name on it.
Located a snorkel's throw from the beach, our "room" has two beds (hooray!), a comfy sitting area, an indoor and outdoor shower stocked with Pure Fiji body products and a plunge-pool with a day bed.
There are nice homely touches, like freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, take-home sarongs and the words "welcome home" arranged in leaves on the beds.
It all closely conforms with - and in many ways exceeds - my luxury tropical island preconceptions.
It's the Fiji I was hoping for when I clicked purchase on my flights.
With its unspoiled beaches, aquamarine sea, superb cuisine and a sun that hugs you like a cashmere jumper, it provides a stunning romantic setting.
"It must be time for dinner," says Mum.
As the sun turns candy-floss pink we walk along the crushed coral pathway to the main restaurant for a Fijian Indian feast, held every Sunday.
Likuliku has recently welcomed back Adelaide-born Shane Watson as its executive chef.
He was the inaugural executive chef of the resort when it first opened in 2007 and was responsible for putting Likuliku on the map as a top destination for foodies.
Dinner, except for tonight and Fridays (when the restaurant hosts a traditional Fijian lovo), involves a five-course menu that changes daily.
The service is slick and attentive, yet Fijian-style friendly and relaxed. After a feast of mud crabs in curry, river prawns with fragrant spices and pastel-coloured Indian desserts, it's time to roll out of the restaurant in to the star-filled night and eventually into bed.
At 6am we rise to take a boat to Monuriki Island, a stunning, uninhabited speck of land where Tom Hanks grew a beard, ate lots of coconuts and talked to a ball in the film Cast Away.
We don snorkelling gear to swim from the boat to the shore, spotting zebra fish whooshing in formation and cobalt blue starfish along the way.
We return to a breakfast of twice-cooked gruyere cheese souffles with fresh coconut water.
But I can't wait to get back in the water, so I skip the coffee and head to the watersports shack to pick up a snorkel.
My fish-spotting checklist includes South Seas devil damselfish, blue-spotted stingrays and six line wrasse.
But while I've been learning about tropical fish, Mum has spent her day on dry land studying the cocktails prepared by sulu-wearing barman Zack.
Like all the smiling staff at the resort, Zack knows our names before we introduce ourselves - it's a nice touch that makes you feel instantly among friends.
Overall, we find it deliciously easy to pass two days at the resort - it's definitely not long enough but I have a conference to attend and kiddies at home missing me.
As we depart the Fijians play ukuleles and sing a farewell song, which brings tears to my eyes.
All staff members have come to the jetty to see us off - even Coco, the resort's labrador.
I'd been searching for a while for a holiday destination for Mum and I, where the food is impressive, the location idyllic and people are warm.
I hadn't expected to find it in Fiji.
CHECKLIST
Getting there: Malolo Island is 25km from the gateway city of Nadi and home to Fijian-owned Likuliku and its sibling, the family-friendly Malolo Island Resort. Guests can arrive by 10-minute helicopter flight, a 35-minute speedboat transfer or by regular catamaran (up to 2 hours).
For more information: Visit fiji.travel
The writer was a guest of Likuliku Lagoon Resort.
- AAP
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