Vale Oasis Blog

Getting to Vale Oasis

Transfers

Visit malolocat.com to book your transfers to/from Port Denarau (Nadi) and Musket Cove. (Once booked, please advise us your scheduled sailing times so we can inform the Resort when to expect you to check-in/out.)

Upon arriving at Nadi International airport you can either catch Malolo Cat's free connecting courtesy shuttle (information on Malolo Cat website), or take a cab if you wish to stop to do shopping along the way. The cost of a taxi from Nadi Airport to Port Denarau is around FJD$50. Drive time is around 25mins (if not stopping).

If your flight arrives later in the day then you'll need to spend the night in Nadi. Advise Malolo Cat where you're staying and they can collect you the next day.

Port Denarau

Once you arrive at Port Denarau make your way to the Malolo Cat counter where you will check-in for your scheduled sailing to Musket Cove Resort. If you have a bit of time up your sleeve before boarding, there's some great places to eat lunch. The shops are also worth exploring. Especially for beachwear and local fashions. There's a small supermarket here too (Less variety and higher prices than supermarkets in town, but super convenient!).

Arrival

50 minutes after departing Port Denarau, Malolo Cat will stop to disembark Plantation Resort and Lomani Resort passengers. Remain on board to continue to Musket Cove.

You will be greeted on arrival and will check-in at reception like other Resort guests. Once you're checked in, the Resort will transport you and your luggage to Vale Oasis to settle you in.

Check-in / Check-out times

Check-in from 2:00pm.
Check-out by 10:00am.

Services & Facilities

Resort Account

When checking-in you'll set up your account allowing you to charge your purchases (dining/bar/shops/etc..) to be settled when you check-out. You can also use cards or cash around the Resort if preferred (+ there's an ATM on site if you need it). Your charge account can only be used at Musket Cover Resort. If visiting Plantation or Lomani Resorts, you'll need a credit card to make any purchases as neither accepts cash.

Resort Guests

We're so fortunate to have Resort living right on our doorstep and incredibly greatful for the service and hospitality that Musket Cove Resort extends to our guests. Even though they have no obligation to do so, they'll treat you like a Resort guest and go out of their way to make your stay as perfect as can be. This relationship is very important to us and we ask you to please respect it. If the Resort is busy please allow Resort guests priority use of all Resort facilities, including cabana's and sun lounges, restaurant seating, water sports equipment, etc..

Housekeeping

Housekeeping is NOT INCLUDED in your nightly rate. You will find the house clean and tidy on arrival – all beds made up with clean linen, and fresh towels, including pool/beach towels) to use for your stay. (Additional towels can be found in the linen cupboard if needed).

You'll discover the house is very easy to keep clean. There's a broom, vacuum cleaner, brush & shovel and cleaning products hiding in the broom cupboard in the master bedroom, and/or the laundry, and/or under the kitchen sink.

If you wish to have housekeeping staff visit the house daily or every other day, then this will need to be arranged with the Resort with charges payable to them. Let us know in advance if this is something you'll require and we will discuss arrangements and options with the Resort to extend this service.

Groceries & Supplies

The Trader at Musket Cove is a small supermarket/general-store that's well stocked with most things you'll need. This includes local produce, meat, fish & poultry, diary, bread, canned and packet foods, spices, juices, and most other things you'd expect to find in a general store.  It's a short 5 mins stroll from Vale Oasis and we find it more than sufficient for self catering while living on the island. However, if you have very specific, high volume or budget conscious dietary needs, then visiting a supermarket in Nadi will be worthwhile. I'd recommend NewWorld near Nadi Airport, or NewWorld Nadi Plaza before heading to Port Denarau.

Dining and Entertainment

You're spoilt for choice! You have 3 fantastic Resorts on your door step with a wide range of options. Go wild!  
Reservations may be required for evening dining.

Learn more about Musket Cove facilities and other Resorts on Malolo Lailai

Baby Sitting

Baby Sitting services

Activities

Activities Pass

Activities pass

Bicycle Hire

You can hire bikes (daily or weekly) from the Resort Activities Bure (subject to availability).

Activities

There's plenty of activities to do while you’re on the island.

Visit https://www.musketcovefiji.com/activities for up to date information about these including pricing.

Surfing

Golf

The 9 hole gold course is operated by Plantation Island Resort. Contact/visit them if you wish to play the course.

Vale Oasis Utilities & Amenities

Water Supply

Vale Oasis has three independent water sources.
1) The two large white tanks at the rear of the house supply internal faucets, showers, kitchen and laundry. 2) We are also connected to the Resort's main water bore & catchment supply. This permenantly supplies the toilets, outside faucets and pool. It is also used as our backup supply if tanks run low during drought periods. 3) The green tank at the rear of the house is our dedicated drinking water supply.

Drinking Water

The water spout on the left side of the kitchen sink is drinking water. This is filtered rain water and is completely safe to drink. The water source, pump and plumbing is idependent and passes through 3 filters (including a 1 micron charcoal filter) to remove any particulates, parasites or bacteria.

Hot Water

Our solar water-heating system on the roof supplies ample hot water for multiple daily showers. If the weather has been cloudy for a couple of days then the water temperature will diminish. If the temperature is no longer sufficient you can resolve this by activating the back up electric heating. This is done from the switchboard located at the back of the top shelf in the linen cupboard (next to the laundry). The trip-switch will be easy to see on the switchboard as it will be the only one that's off. If you do this then please ensure you deactivate it again when the weather improves, or before you depart.

Electricity

Malolo Lailai has it's own power generation supplying 240 Volt AC power throughout the island. Sockets are 3 pin plugs (same as Australia/New Zealand). The power supply is consistent and reliable with two large Catapillar diesel generators producing ample load capacity and redundancy. Power is expensive on the island so please be conscious of this when running high power drain appliances.

Air Conditioning

Both bedrooms have air conditioning units. For the A/C to be effective at cooling the bedroom, you must close the bedroom's internal doors & window shutters and turn off the ceiling fan. (note: The A/C IR receiver in the second bedroom is faulty and not receiving RC commands. You can activate the A/C unit by pressing the small button on the front-face panel).

>A/C is very power intensive so please limit use only to cool bedrooms when needed for sleeping and switch off at all other times.

WiFi/Internet Access

The small white/red router on the shelf above the desk uses Vodafone-Fiji's prepaid 4G data service.

Wifi Router Name: ValeOasis-
Wifi Password: (advised to you via email)

The router powers off when idle for an extended time. If it is off, press the button on the front face to start it. (Also check that the power socket is plugged in and switched on at the wall). The button on the top of the router cycles through functions displayed on the router LCD screen.

Troubleshooting:>

Cannot find/connect Step 1 is always to restart the modem. Use the front and top buttons to find the reboot function.

No internet service: If you can connect to the modem but there is no internet service, it's likely that a data top-up is required. We endeavour to keep on top of this. However if you run out of data then either reach out to us and we'll happily add data for you, or you can immediately solve it by visiting: https://www.vodafone.com.fj/my-vodafone/web-top-up. Enter the device number: 9341968 and select a top-up amount (n.b. FJ$50 top-up is usually sufficient to stream music and video for a full week or more). The modem will need to be restarted to activate the top-up.

Alternative connections: If you are unable to connect to the router, activate Mobile Hotspot Tethering on your phone to use as a temporary wifi connection. Most NZ and AU mobile carriers extend data roaming to Fiji for little or no extra cost. Musket Cove Resort also provides wifi, however it does not extend as far as the house. Ask at reception for details and costs if needed.

Swimming Pool & Grounds

The lawns/gardens should be tidy and the swimming pool clean and full.  In order to maintain this during high occupancy periods a grounds keeper or pool attendant may arrive periodically to perform brief maintenance tasks. If the timing isn't convenient, let them know and they will be happy to come at a time that suits you.

The pool is not fenced. If you have small children be aware that you will need to monitor them at all times. The pool is not deep pool so diving is not recommended.

Pool & Sensor Lights

Moonless clear nights in Fiji reveal one of the most breathtaking views of the milkyway galaxy that you'll ever see. You can improve viewing by deactivating the pool light and outdoor sensor lights using the switch on the right-side post, on the bottom-step, leading from the balcony to the pool deck.

Locked areas: 

Locked cupboards in the house and the external garage areas are used for home owners personal gear - Please respect. 

Washing Machine/dryer: 

The washing machine/dryer is available for your use.  Washing powder can be purchased from the supermarket.  You will need to switch the power on at the wall before using and turn it off again when you have finished. 

Linen:  

Please return the beach towels to the villa each day if you are taking them away from the villa so they don’t get caught up with the Resort linen and get lost. 

HYPERBOOM bluetooth speaker: 

There is a portable speaker located on the office desk or shelves above.  In order to connect to this for playing music you need to turn the speaker on and then switch you phone to Bluetooth mode and the speaker should connect.

Front doors lock behind you: 

Please note :  the front doors will lock behind you if you have not manually switched the lock to open.  Please be careful not to lock yourself out.  

Lock doors when going out: 

While it is safe on the island, it is recommended that you lock the doors when leaving the house. 

Stove/cooking: 

The gas stove top works well and requires a large gas bottle to keep it going.  If for any reason this is not lighting then it’s possible the gas bottle may need replacing.  You will need to contact me or let reception know so they can arrange for maintenance to deliver more gas to the villa.  The oven and one of the elements are electrical so you should always be able to cook something if the gas is out.

BBQ

There is a bbq for your use located on the deck you will need to remove the cover before use and turn the gas bottle on. If for some reason the gas bottle is empty you will need to either replace it with a new one at the trader supermarket or contact me or let reception know so they can arrange for someone to replace it for you. The bbq should be clean for your arrival.

Up lights: 

Located on the wall between the laundry and the linen cupboard is a switch for the up lights. These LED  lights wash a nice light over the ceiling.  Being LED’s they can be left on all day and use little power.  Please switch them off when you leave. 

Trash & Recycling

There is a rubbish bin/s placed at the end of the concrete driveway behind the little rock wall.  The Resort supports recycling so please be sure to put your rubbish in the correct bin/s  for collection by the Resort which will be done on a regular basis.

Fire extinguisher: 

In the unlikely event this is required, there is a fire extinguisher located on the wall by the front entrance door closest to the kitchen.  There is also a fire blanket in the top left drawer beside the stove in the kitchen.

TV: 

The TV is a smart tv so you can connect to channels like Netflix and watch movies.  Incorder to use it you will need to connect to the WIFI first.  Everything else should be pretty self explanatory.

Maintenance problems  etc 

The villa is a holiday home on a remote tropical island, we maintain it to the best of our ability at all times. However, occasionally things will breakdown etc .  If there are any problems during your stay please do not try to fix them yourself  we have great maintenance support so please contact me in the first instance via phone  +64 21 826-972 or my email andy@valeoasis.com.  I will then get the issue resolved immediately. If it relates to linen or housekeeping of any kind please let the front desk know and they will organise for house keeping to pop up to the villa and they will supply what you need.

We ask that you respect the villa and leave everything as you find it. If you break something let us know so we can replace it in time for the next guest. We like to keep the villa to the highest standard and that's not easy to do on a remote island in the middle of the Pacific. Housekeeping will do a stock take at the end of your trip so if anything is removed from the property which belongs to the villa then the Resort has the right to charge guests for replacement costs.

Musket Cove Resort has meal inclusions:

if you wish to order a meal plan rather than cook at the Villa please visit

https://www.musketcovefiji.com/dining/musket-meal-plan for more information around Musket Cove Resorts meal  plan offering.  Please note: If you would like to go ahead with the meal plan please let me know as this will need to be booked and paid directly through the Resort (it's not included in your accommodation)

When you leave 

Power is very expensive on the island so please make sure you turn off at the wall.

Air conditioners

TV

Portable speaker

Washing machine/dryer

Turn bbq gas bottle off, make sure bbq is clean and replace the cover

Close all the shutters/windows/doors. 

Upon checkout return your keys to the front desk

Musket Cove Resort

Dick’s Place Pool

You are welcome to use the pool at Musket Cove Resort but please respect that their Resort guests have priority over poolside sun lounges and cabanas.  If there is a shortage it’s possible that private home occupants will be asked to vacate lounges for Musket Cove guests.

No more than 6 persons allowed in the cabana’s at a time.

Children must be supervised at all times.

Golf Carts/Buggies

The golf carts you see around the Resort are owned by private home owners. They are not available for guests to use or hire due to the risks involved.

Island Bar

Highly recommend you go here it’s a melting pot of all types a people and a great way to mingle with other guests of the Resort, home owners living on the Resort as well as all the yachties who regularly visit here from all around the world.   Always a fun night to be had.  

The island Bar still remains to be the cheapest place to buy beverages in the Islands!!

There are gas BBQ’s available for use here as well.

Please note:  If your bringing your own BBQ to the island bar. The Resort are happy to supply all plates, cutlery & condiments which is fantastic.  There is a $10 per person charge which also includes the use of a BBQ.  We would recommend this as it saves a lot of hassle and you don’t have to worry about doing the dishes either!!!

If you bring your own equipment all you pay for is the BBQ.  Don’t forget to return any plates etc to the villa after use.

BYO is NOT permitted at the Island Bar.  Please respect this

Trader Café

A great menu, awesome coffee’s, milk shakes  as well as pizza options you can have there, takeaway or organize to be delivered to the island bar – fantastic!!!  They also sell alcohol from here too.

For information around places to eat on the island as well as menus go to:  https://www.musketcovefiji.com/dining. Also check out http://www.plantationisland.com/ and http://www.lomaniisland.com/. You can also find more information about Vale Oasis at https://valeoasis.com

Supermarket

Has pretty much everything you need – opens at 8am and closes at 6pm

I think that about covers everything 

We hope you have a wonderful stay and enjoy Vale Oasis, our private slice of Fiji paradise. Please make yourself at home and enjoy all that Malolo Lailai Island has to offer.