How Fiji Turned Our Family Vacation into an Underwater Awakening

Sometimes the best trips are the ones that completely surprise you. My family recently went on a much-anticipated adventure to Fiji – a journey that was supposed to be about relaxation (and our baby son's first trip!) but turned into something so much more.

My husband and I knew even before Oliver was born that we were going to want to plan a trip that would allow us to do one thing: genuinely rest. I'm talking rest like, not planning our day around nap schedules rest. Sounds like a dream, right?! Thankfully, I had just the place in mind – a resort I'd learned about years ago (before I even had kids) that I tucked away in my mental "back pocket", Jean-Michel Cousteau's resort in Fiji. Why? Because they offer some of the best child-care services in the world, with one-on-one incredible nannies for each child. Peace of mind about our children = peaceful relaxation for mom & dad.

Family Travel to Fiji is More Than Possible 

Let me be real with you—the long flight journey to Fiji daunts many families from visiting, but GOOD NEWS: Direct flights from Dallas to Fiji are NOW A THING as of December 2024! We booked our flights a year ago, so we didn't have that direct option. We decided to break up the long haul from Des Moines with a 36-hour beach layover in LA (hello, mini-vacation before the vacation 👋), which was absolutely less stressful for baby, toddler, and parents.

Through our journey, we discovered some game-changing tips: Booking bulkhead seats made all the difference with the extra legroom and space for the kids. Though we found the baby bassinet wasn't Oliver's cup of tea (you live and learn with babies!), investing in a roller suitcase our toddler could ride through the airport was absolutely essential.

Here's what I've learned as both a mom and travel professional: sometimes the unexpected moments become the most precious. When our daughter wanted to be with mom & dad 24/7 instead of joining the kids' activities, we embraced it as a special opportunity to connect with her in ways that had been harder since her baby brother arrived.

The biggest draw for us in staying at Jean-Michel Cousteau was the excellent childcare and peace of mind provided by the one-to-one nanny services. Especially with our infant, this was extremely helpful in letting mom & dad truly relax.

An Unexpected Underwater Adventure: Fiji’s Scuba Diving

Every great trip needs a well-defined purpose and some personal passion woven throughout. Those passion points are the true memory-makers, the thing that you talk about for years after the trip. Little did I expect that my passion – scuba diving – would be taken to a whole new level on this trip.

Picture this: Strong currents, our dive group clinging together, and a massive manta ray literally dancing around us, sweeping up currents that gave us just the right amount of adrenaline. And the curious sea turtles that swam right up to us, completely unafraid? The closest encounter with nature I've had while diving! This dive wasn't just a dive - it was a rekindling of my passion, and you better believe that I'll be planning future trips around scuba diving in the future.

I've been a certified scuba diver for over fifteen years, and I thought I'd seen it all. Spoiler alert: Fiji proved me wrong. I'm already planning a return trip in 2030 so that my daughter can take the scuba certification course at Jean-Michel Cousteau – yes, they offer scuba courses for ages 10+! 🤿

Does scuba diving in underwater worlds sound like a passion that you want to weave into your upcoming travels? Whether you’re a pro or have never put on a wet suit, we can make those dreams a reality!  Pro tip: Start your scuba diving journey right where you are. Find your nearest Padi shop and you can start your certification training at a pool near you. 

Create Travel Memories: Purpose + Passion = Transformation

Travel isn't about checking destinations off a list. It's about purpose, passion, and those breathtaking moments that transform you. Whether you're a diver, a photographer, a foodie, or a family seeking connection - there's a trip waiting to surprise you.

This is what I do for my clients every single day. I don't just book trips—I craft experiences that marry purpose and passion. The magic happens when you intentionally weave your personal passion into the trip's purpose. And sometimes that magic reveals itself in unexpected ways, like when curious turtles and a dancing manta ray transform a relaxation-focused family trip into something extraordinary.

Ready to craft your next transformative journey? It doesn't have to be with toddlers or scuba diving in Fiji. Let me help you identify your next trip's purpose and weave in your unique passions to make it as unforgettable as this one was for me!

Undiscovered Sunsets was a long time in the making, even if I myself didn’t realize it. During my time at the University of Northern Iowa, I studied abroad in New Zealand. Upon graduating, I bought a one-way ticket to France, lived with a French family and studied with classmates from Turkey, China, Russia, Germany, Italy, and everywhere in between. In 2010 I began teaching English as a foreign language. This job quickly took me to China, where English teachers were in high demand and within three years, I began working in a 5-star hotel, speaking Mandarin throughout most of my day. In total, I lived abroad for 7 years.

I consider Undiscovered Sunsets to be the perfect mélange of my personal experience traveling the world and my professional experience working in the hospitality industry.

I look forward to designing your next adventure!