PHOTO: Qamea Resort, Taveuni Island, Fiji. (photo by Katherine Vallera)Ask return guests why they keep coming back to Fiji and, chances are they’ll say, “it’s because of the people”.That’s because Fiji is known for the congeniality of its residents, as evidenced by visitors uttering this phrase time and again.I had the pleasure of encountering several endearing individuals at the five-star, adults-only Qamea Resort & Spa. While the natural beauty of Qamea is by all mean astounding, it was the community I found to be both most uplifting.That’s why I’m proud to share their stories:EddieEddie is Qamea’s cheerful bartender and waterfall tour guide extraordinaire. He escorted me to the Bouma National Heritage Park. I had no idea what was in store for our adventure or how much fun it’d be to get caught in a downpour.MORE Hotel & ResortAs we drove through his village on our way to the waterfalls, Eddie described the significance of this site to his community. I’d packed hiking boots, but Eddie preferred to trek barefoot as we explored the dirt paths traversing the rainforest.It started to drizzle, yet Eddie seemed unfazed, even as the sky erupted into a downpour. The torrents of rain were warm and refreshing. So long as Eddie didn’t foresee any danger, I was willing to continue.Amidst the cloudburst, we climbed through the jungle drenched head to toe. Eddie’s exuberance made the adventure worthwhile with his booming, jovial laughter and kindhearted spirit. He also had a great sense of humor and told jokes that made me smile ear to ear.We leaped into one of the highest waterfalls, seeing that we came prepared with our swimsuits and were already soaked from the rain.It felt like jumping into a fountain of youth. I got to run in the rain and swim like a child again.The water was crisp and pure—a hideaway of nature in its most pristine condition. Familiar with the park’s geography, Eddie encouraged me to jump from a cliff and dive beneath the powerful cascades.By night, Eddie works as a bartender at Qamea’s outdoor bar and restaurant, Bure Kalau. There, he demonstrates his skills in mixology. Following the beat of drums, guests enjoy Eddie’s cocktails alongside gourmet cuisine from the comfort of deep wicker chairs.The beach next to the restaurant takes center stage as surrounding villages showcase traditional music and dance. The performances are a form of community engagement, allowing villagers an opportunity to educate visitors about their heritage and involve guests with an interactive finale.There’s also a chalkboard in the Bure Kalau listing daily tours and cultural experiences. Complimentary activities include village excursions as well as hands-on cooking and basket weaving classes. (This is where guests can sign up for excursions like the one I took to the waterfalls with Eddie.)LusiaMy first encounter with sweet and kind Lusia, Qamea’s Assistant Manager, was when I arrived by speedboat. (In fact, I was received by the entire staff, illuminated by sunlight on the white sand beach as they sang a welcome song.)Wearing a flowered skirt and a red blossom tucked behind her ear, Lusia offered me a tropical fruit beverage. Then, she ushered me to Qamea’s beachfront resting area, where she checked me in and provided me with details for my stay.The resort shares the island with six neighboring villages. As a native Fijian, Lusia acts as a cultural ambassador, bridging the synergy between visitors and the island’s community. She works closely and compassionately with guest and her colleagues to ensure that everyone at Qamea is happy.READ MORE: 7 Things That Will Make You Happy in FijiLeah & ChrisGeneral managers Leah and Chris share the ultimate dream job of getting paid to live in a tropical paradise.Leah’s the face of Qamea, dealing with guests directly by addressing their needs and concerns. She was kind enough to show me around the 17-room property, including a Royal Beach House called the Dolphin Villa. It was one of Qamea’s massive oceanfront suites complete with Fijian art, tiki masks and smoothly carved door handles. The villa’s vaulted ceilings and smooth hardwood floors alluded to a calming sense of space within.Stepping outside transported us to a Garden of Eden.Every Royal Beach House features a private oceanfront deck where guests can unwind with a plunge pool, padded loungers and hot tub. They can also sink their toes in the sand, relax in a hammock or swim in the crystal clear blue sea.Chris is more the fix-it guy. He’s responsible for the incorporation of contemporary technologies into the secluded laid-back vibe of this romantic escape. It’s this integration that makes Qamea stand apart from other resorts in the region—like the seductive backdrop of Blue Lagoon meets Gilligan’s Island, if the professor was tech savvy and had Amazon Prime.Some guests might appreciate the powerful air conditioning, with the potential to transform any room into arctic tundra. Qamea was also the only resort I observed in this part of Fiji that had plasma screen TVs complete with international satellite, DVD and HDMI capabilities. I also appreciated the free WiFi, as well as the stereo docking station where I could plug in my music.My personal favorite was the heated towel rack—an ingenious amenity designed to negate the humidity of the tropics. I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with Leah and Chris, where we discussed how these modernisms make Qamea the perfect honeymoon destination for millennials. We also talked about trends towards instant streaming services.Both Leah and Chris’ eyes lit up when I mentioned I’d recently started streaming Star Trek: TNG, which segued into a philosophical conversation about season three of the series. This unexpected bonding amongst nerds on an island will forever remain a cherished memory from my stay.READ MORE: Finding Paradise on Fiji’s Garden IslandKristaKrista manages the team of scuba instructors at Qamea’s PADI accredited dive center. She assisted by fitting me with a wetsuit and equipment before briefing my dive to a nearby coral reef.Krista’s talents don’t stop under the sea. She’s also a certified yoga instructor. One rainy morning, I joined her in the beachfront pavilion, surrounded by palms and ventilated by fresh ocean breezes. This spectacular space is utilized for various occasions, from daily yoga classes to weddings and private receptions.Krista and I practiced our asanas while listening to the storm. We watched as rain drops collided with the ocean and pitter-pattered onto the sand. Perhaps it was the intention of our sun salutations because—by the time we’d finished our practice—the weather had turned to a bright and sunshiny day.SalomeBeyond Qamea’s bird watching sanctuary—home to endemic species like Collared Kingfishers and Orange Doves—are the stone steps that lead to the Jungle Spa. Appropriately named for being surrounded by rainforest, the tranquility of this setting makes it ideal for massage.This is where I met Salome, more than your average resort masseuse.Salome’s from Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, where she trained in therapeutic pressure point massage. She demonstrated how to manipulate the soft tissue surrounding nerves and joints, redirecting energy and improving circulation.Over a cup of tea, Salome and I chatted in the spa’s main reception. It was an open air balcony overlooking banyan trees and wild orchids, scattered with red hibiscus flowers and sheltered by a thatch canopy.  Salome showed me seashells filled with sweet sugar scrubs and asked me to smell the various essential oils she uses for massage.Along with the story of how she came to Qamea, Salome told me more about the spa’s services. Some treatments are distinctly Fijian, including the Royal Honey and Milk Ritual with Hot Stones, Warm Seashell Massage and the Hibiscus and Coconut Wrap.NinaIf you’d like to experience Fiji for yourself, I recommend working with a travel agent.Not only are they a fountain of knowledge, but travel agents have professional ties with resorts like Qamea.Your travel agent might know Nina, the Global Sales and Marketing Manager. Not only is she generous and attentive, but she’s also knowledgeable and makes great recommendations. If you have questions about Qamea (or want to compliment the amazing staff!) you can contact Nina [email protected]. After all, it’s the people of Qamea that make this destination so special, and it’s the people of Fiji who’ll inspire you to visit time and again.