Derek bought two bark cloth place mats from the bushy-haired Fijian saleswoman. We were then approached by her son, a boy of about fourteen: “Good morning, sirs. If you like I can show you the village.” “What do you charge?” Derek asked. “Whatever you think is right.” We followed him into a small Fijian community that occupied...
Rick Garrett, a long time South Pacific travel planner, stopped by our office once again to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about orchestrating a vacation in Fiji. Rick runs a wholesaler called Travel Pacific and he readily admits that the ease of booking one’s own land and air on the Internet makes many people shy away from working with a travel...
During the last century, missionaries, officials, and antiquarians collected many Fijian oral histories and legends while the traditions were still fresh. No early account mentioned a mass migration from across the sea, or the great canoe Kaunitoni. Most yavusa (kin groups or “tribes” claimed descent from a rock, cave, totemic animal, or mythic hero...
Rick Garrett Travel Agent I’m a Professional Travel Adviser with over 30 years of travel industry experience. My specialty is creating tailor made vacations and honeymoons to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia (Tahiti), and the Cook Islands. I’ve made dozens of trips to the South Pacific and I know many of the hotel managers and/or owners so am able to...
Krishna’s taxi sped flamboyantly, in the manner of Third World taxis, towards Lautoka, the second city of Fiji. “I like the dry side,” Derek said, more than once, but for me this part of Viti Levu (Great Fiji, the main island) was a disappointment. I had imagined soaring hills and wanton vegetation; but the western or leeward side lies in a rain...
The narrow tracks of a sugar railway now ran beside the road. A train appeared with a vulgar blast on its electric horn: a boxy yellow engine pulling a dozen flat:-bed cars piled high and wide with blackened cane. The railway, the shiny Toyota and its Hindu icon, the women in saris with pots on their heads, the holy zebu cattle wandering insolently over fields and...
It grew dark; the waiter who brought the beer became invisible except for his white shorts. After dusk some small creatures (birds?) began moving in fits and starts across the lawn. I got up to see what they were. They were frogs-strange frogs that did not jump but ran like sparrows. Derek had arranged for Krishna to return after dinner and take us to the Nadi...
I stumbled upon the Northern Club by chance. I needed to huddle with a business partner in Lautoka but had no idea where to stay that was friendly, clean, reasonably priced and hopefully interesting. A friend recommended the Northern Club. I didn’t know about their accommodations nor did I know much about the organization. I decided to take a chance. Before I...
“G’day,” Jerry said. “Those spear chuckers looked like they meant business. Big chaps these Fijians. I reckon they were well fed in the old days. Did you hear about the cannibal who passed his brother in the jungle?” The master of ceremonies announced the last song. A Fijian woman got up in front of the microphone and gave a running...
Long time Fijiguide.com contributor Marilyn Marsh has just returned from her annual trip to Fiji. This year she focused on the Yasawa Group. Marilyn is an excellent writer and a photographer with a knack for underwater shots. Over the next ten days Fijiguide.com will present her travelogue– both text and photos, in a four-part series. This the third...
We’d heard so many good things about Malamala Beach Club, the world’s first island Beach Club, that we had to go check it out for ourselves. I know, it’s a tough gig here at My Fiji Store! Not only is this Beach Club located on a stunning Fijian Island, they also have award-winning Chef Lance Seeto running their kitchen – a must-try as a foodie! Malamala Beach Club...
About Travel Nation We’re a team of people who love to travel! Using our enthusiasm, knowledge and experience we’ll plan your complex round the world flights or help create the perfect tailor-made holiday for you. Our friendly team of round the world specialists travel widely and often. That means you can find inspiration in their recent trip blogs and also...
