IT’S TIME TO GET HOOKED ON FIJI
This past summer I went on an educational trip to the magical islands of Fiji. I have to admit I thought this a destination I could never sell because of the long flight (it is 1½ hours longer than a flight to Tahiti). But after taking the flight, and I was in coach class, I now can say it was quite an easy flight!
You leave late at night and arrive 2 days later (as you cross the international date line) at 5:30AM. If you are headed to an outer island you will arrive no later than say 11AM – there is no need to overnight in Nadi.
We traveled around all of Viti Levu, which is Fiji’s main island, as well as some of the surrounding islands and the Mamanuca Islands. What is amazing is that Fiji is comprised of over 300 islands – there are the drier Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands, then the lusher islands of Taveuni, Qamea, and Vanua Levu. These islands are all unique and will cater to different clients.
So why go to Fiji? Sure it is gorgeously beautiful, remember Tom Hank’s in the movie Castaway – it was filmed in Fiji. Most resorts are on a small private volcanic island, the landscape is lush and tropical, and the beaches are basically private since you are on your own private island!
There are no rivers on the drier islands, which means water clarity for snorkeling, and diving is simply superb. The sand is whiter and more powdery in the drier islands, and a typical sandy color in the wetter regions. All islands are surrounded by waters that are a translucent turquoise. And the islands are quite close to each other so day trips between the various islands is a great activity to add on to your holiday. Or you can get dropped off on your own private island for the day.
But it is mainly the Fijian people that make these islands such a great place to visit. YOU will feel so welcomed, by such friendly and sincere people – whose smiles and graciousness are grand!
The Fijians all have a “village” they call home, where there is a chief and traditions are held onto strongly even in the 21st century. They are a friendly country – The land of Bula!
After our little group arrived at each resort we would all say how much we enjoyed the property because of the people. Every resort was quite different – but every resort we went to it was the people who helped make it special. We were treated like part of the family – and after you spend time with your Fijian family and it is time to say farewell to the islands, the serenading good byes brought many a tear to our eyes. With everyone in our group saying, “we will be back.”
In planning a trip to Fiji I of course highly recommend working with a travel professional – especially one who has actually been there and done that!
In Fiji, which is Melanesian not Polynesian, the culture is different, the traditions are still in tact, most of the main island has not been discovered – so Fiji is still a tropical destination that feels that a real adventure.
I don’t mean you will live in huts on the beach, no – no – no. Fiji is home to some of the most extravagant and sublime resorts in the world (to go along with their world class diving). The adventure is that it is still being discovered. New resorts pop up on islands all the time – remember over 300 islands!
I definitely have my favorite resorts, and I can say that I fell in love with a handful of properties where I believed the true Fijian spirit rang loud and clear not only through the super friendly resort staff, but also in the natural beauty of the grounds, and ambience of the resort and bures (bungalows).
I just cannot help myself from analyzing each and every place, thinking to myself which clients the property would be a perfect fit for. This is my job, which I love, and I appreciate each and every opportunity I get to plan fabulous vacations for my wonderful clients.
I hope that many of you in the future will venture off to Fiji and visit a tropical destination that not only has some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world, but also has the most sweet and sincere people you have ever met.
Vinaka,
Joyce Craddock
jc@incrediblejourney.net
