Amazing, unforgetable, beautiful and heart warming describes our stay on Turtle Island. The beauty of the island itself is breathtaking.
We were married on Turtle Island in August 2005. We chose to have the "Grand Wedding." It far exceeded our expectations. Ray,the photographer/videographer went out of his way the provide us with the best pictures to remember our special time. The staff, which was more like family, made our day, as well as our entire stay, so special. We had a wedding that brought us, as well as the rest of the guests, to tears. The guests at our wedding were people we had only met 3 days prior. Yet, their attendance during our wedding ment more to us than having 500 friends from our home town there.
We quickly became very attached to strangers. This is mostly due to the way you are embraced when you become a guest on Turtle Island. You are encouraged to meet everyone and join in with all of the meals and group activities (including Kava), but not forced. If you go there wanting complete privacy, your wishes will be respected, but we guarantee you will want to join in the nightly dinners and activities. These people become family. The staff all know you by name and greet you with a "Bula" and a smile everytime they see you. The service is spectacular.
Anything we asked for, the staff did everything they could to provide. Our bure mama, Buna 1, was very nice. We chit-chatted just like we were old friends. The girls that helped serve the meals were so sweet. Lucy, Lela, Litia, all of the girls were great. Milika (Richards wife) is hilarious. We had so much fun laughing and joking with her. She is real down to earth. If you go, ask her to tell you the "Sona" story.
Everybody there is treated equally special. It doesn't matter who you are or how much money you have, you are all treated as family and are all given the same attentiveness.
The school children were so sweet. We enjoyed the times they sang to us. We also enjoyed all of the songs from the staff.
Definitly take advantage of the private beach lunches. They are amazing. A private beach all to yourselves to do what ever you want. The private beach time was so special. A chance to share very intimate and memorable moments together as a couple.
Also, go on the sunrise horseback ride. The beauty of the sunrise is undescribable; You just have to see it.
The food that was prepared for us was delicious. The chef, Peter, out did himself at every meal. He was so attentive to our special requests. I have food allergies and he adjusted everything that he served me according to what I could and couldn't eat.
Our bures (houses) were huge. Our bure mama had it decorated every day with fresh flowers. The bures have a bose sound system, large canopy beds, a hot tub built into the floor, large double vanities, a large double shower and dual toilets. We were in bure #15, and it was very nice. If you can stay in Bure #15 or Bure #1.
The only thing that I could have done without was the spiders. They are not poisonous and the staff do what they can to keep them away with insecticides. They did make for fun conversation to come home and tell our friends and family. We also got some fun pictures of the 8-legged friends to share at home. The staff also spray insecticides around the island to help with the mosquitos. They do a good job, but you will still need to keep you bottle of "Island Perfume" (bug lotion)with you. But the spiders and insects were not noticable enough to spoiled our stay by anymeans.
I would highly recommend going to Turtle Island. If you go there expecting to find fault, than you will. But then again, if you are that type of person, you would probably find fault anywhere you went. This Island is not for the stuffy type of people that can not let their hair down. If you can enjoy the sand between your toes and a relaxed lighted atmosphere than you will truly enjoy yourself.
If you go there and see all of the beauty and embrace all of the love and friendship, then you will have one of the most amazing vacations of your life. We are going back and we can not wait!
–Dave & Kelli
USA
