The festive season has started at the Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa on Yanuca Island, Nadroga.

Resort guests, staff members and village residents living close to the resort witnessed the traditional annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at the newly refurbished lobby lawn.

Among the guests were first time visitors to our shores, Kevin and Linsey Harkness, a couple from Utah, Salt Lake, USA, who were blown away with the reception.

“A giant golden coconut Christmas tree was absolutely amazing,” said Mr Harkness.

“How would we not enjoy the ceremony? All we did was just check-in. We did not expect to be part of this as we came in under the radar and all this happened.

“Back home Fiji is mentioned as a dream vacation. We did talk about Fiji as a dream vacation, so here we are.”

The couple is on holiday here for two weeks.

As customary, a choir from Rukurukulevu sung Christmas carols. In their own Shangri-La fusion, Father Christmas was sitting on a platform carried by Fijian warriors with his elves making merry gestures as they lead the entourage.

Resort general manager Craig Powell said the theme for this year was ‘Gold and Tapa’ depicting in their golden coconut Christmas tree, which they believe is the tallest by far in the country.

He said: “This marks the start of the festive season at our Resort and Christmas is a time for family to come together and rejoice in the spirit of Christmas and New Year.

“We chose gold and tapa for our theme this year to carry on celebrations of our famous Fiji sevens team victory at the Rio Olympics Games and to promote our local culture and heritage.

“We have activities planned for our guests over the Christmas period. It is also the time to reflect over the year and it’s an opportunity to have family come together and appreciate what they’ve got and also to think about those who are less fortunate.”

The resort also launched another initiative called Star of Hope, where they sell stars for guests to place on the Christmas tree and the funds will go to the schools the resort supports in the community.

“Christmas is the time of giving and the time of reflection and as I said bringing family together and treasuring the gift of love,” Mr Powell said.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj