CAPTION: Janet Bullen and her daughter Margaret Evans.
Janet Bullen and her family’s love affair with Fiji began some 28 years ago when they holidayed at the then Hyatt Regency, now known as the Warrick Hotel. The Bullen’s from Sydney, Australia first holidayed in Fiji in 1985,
“There used to be a tour bus that took tourists around to all the hotels and we were on that bus and we stopped over at the Reef Resort and my husband and I said to each other that we would like to go there and we have been since 1985”, the bubbly Janet said.
“Back then Bob Kennedy was the manager of the resort and we also met the lovely Una Murray”, she reminisced.
“Una can never be replaced. She was a great hostess and made our stay very special”, Janet remembered. Janet attended the late Una Murray’s funeral on Saturday 25th May with the staff and friends of the Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji.
The 74 year old great grandmother who is holidaying at the Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji with her daughter Margaret Evans said “The friendliness of the staff keeps bringing us back. The way they always remember you is very special. I was apprehensive about coming this time without my husband. It’s been four years since our last trip. And all the staff have been asking after him, wanting to know where he is, and it’s so lovely. I get hugs and cuddles all the time from the staff and it’s just lovely”.
Janet’s husband passed away in 2009. Fiji was very special for Albert Bullen.
“He loved it so much here. On his funeral mass book we had a picture of him feeding the fish at the Vale ni Kana Restaurant. He loved feeding the fish and every day after breakfast he would take two slices of bread and feed the fish”, Janet stated.
“I don’t have one special memory of Fiji with my husband. Every time we have come to Fiji has been special. Every time they would sing the ‘isa lei’ he would get very teary”, a teary eyed Janet said.
“He hated leaving Fiji and always looked forward to coming back. 2009 was the last time he was able to come to Fiji. So I was very pleased when my daughter said c’mon mum let’s go!” Janet said looking endearingly at her daughter Margaret.
Janet said it was a transition for many returnee guests who were used to the serenity of the Reef Resort to the newer Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji in 2000. “We were very concerned that the friendliness wouldn’t be there with a bigger resort but it was. There were the same staff that knew us and the friendliness hadn’t changed” she said happily.
“I’d just like to thank everybody from the General Manager down. We’ve always been looked after and our travel agent knows that we are returnee guests and we always get well and truly looked after and the staff are just so wonderful”, Janet continued.
Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji was recently recognized as the Best Deluxe Accommodation in Fiji at the 2012 AON Excellence in Tourism awards, as well as the Best Fine Dining Restaurant.
The resort prides itself on delivering all the luxury of a five star property with the unforgettable warmth only found in a traditional Fijian village.
Visit the Outrigger on the Lagoon ∙ Fiji website (www.outriggerfiji.com) to find out more about our premium services.
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