Paradise has got nothing on this. It is how you dream a holiday should be! (Fiji)

Member Name: rachelmerrey

Product:	Fiji
Date:	11/03/01 (191 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None. Everyone should go at least once in a life time.

Disadvantages: None. Don't be put off by the fighting most of it is scaremongering!

Last year I travelled around the world. Singapore, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and LA but Fiji was simply breath taking. All of the places I visited had a beauty and a uniqueness about them. For instance I loved Hawaii because it was so laid back and had that tacky but lovable touristy thing going for it. I loved New Zealand because of its amazing countryside and the vitality dripping from the greeness of its rolling hills to the pureness of its lakes and valleys.
There just is nowhere like Fiji though. For a holiday, for those that appreciate white sand, aquamarine crystal clearwater, palm trees, hammocks swinging in a light fragrant breeze, an array of tropical sea life swimming between stunning coloured coral reefs, this is a place not to miss. Even when you are there you can not quite take in its beauty, its stillness. It is heaven on earth.
I stayed on the main land for 1 week and then took a boat out to one of their 300 or so islands. The one I stayed on for 5 nights was called 'Manna Island'. We were greeted off the boat by a band of musicians with the most fantastic voices and smoothly and efficently escorted to reception to obtain our keys. The accomodation was a simple hut but clean and cosy with a suprising array of mod cons to suit even the most picky of customers. There was no television which was a shock to the system at first but there was an island library. It was truly a great place to unwind and I must admit after five days of fresh fruit, hot sun and no stresses or strains of normal everyday life I felt wonderful and quite scared to return to reality. I sobbed my heart out to the Fijian musicians who sang and waved goodbye as we boarded the boat and vowed in my heart to return to them one day.
Despite the fighting that has gone on in certain parts of Fiji, in general Fijian people are wonderful, they are kind, they are friendly and they absolutely love their country. From the time I got on the bus from the airport th
e bus driver told us about his country, taught us how to speak certain words such as hello 'Bula' and waved at almost every person he passed on a 30 minute journey. They are poor but happy and generous in nature. They really do put us to shame. They have nothing compared to us but are always there with a smile. Maybe I am wrong, they truly have everything that matters and we have nothing. Visit them and perhaps your perspective on life will alter. Be careful to take your factor it is extremely HOT!

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