Crazy! But true?
The rich get richer, they say, and now, according to a hot new rumor, “founders of information technology company Google now own several of Fiji’s premier tourism sites including the globally famous Cloudbreak surf island. Several sources have confirmed the transactions but none have been able to reveal the sums involved. ‘The architects are already on Tavarua,’ said one close to the transaction. Tavarua has an American owned resort on it, but it has been sold to Google. Also picked up by Google parties is Wadigi Island and a bay near Vanibaka resort on Malolo. It has been purchased to moor the Google super yachts, including Dragonfly.”
Very cool and you’ll certainly recall when it was rumored that Google execs purchased Namotu 3-odd years ago. You’ll also recall when the rumor was quickly debunked.
But what about this time?
Those “architects already on Tavarua” seems extremely serious.
The rumor continues, “Late last year Sayed-Khaiyum said a group of unspecified billionaires were to visit Fiji with plans to settle and invest. He did not name them but at least one private aircraft at Nadi was spotted as being used by Google’s co-founder Larry Page. This could create an awkward situation if Google wants Tavarua closed to outsiders.”
Now let’s get even more than serious here… if you could purchase part or all of one iconic surf destination and close it to outsiders, which would you choose?
Cardiff Reef?
An odd choice but infuriating those who regularly surf it as justification entirely understandable.
More as the story develops.
