| FIJI
Located 6 hours flying south west of Hawaii, or 4 hours north east of
Sydney, Australia. "The Soft Coral Capitol of the World", Fiji is comprised of 322
islands, of which only 100 are inhabited. The two major islands are
Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Taveuni "The Garden Island", and
Kadavu, both popular dive destinations, are separated from Vanua Levu by the
Somosomo Strait. Fiji's remaining islands are small and divided into
three main groups; Lomaiviti, Lau and the Yasawas. The larger
islands are mainly volcanic with high rugged terrain, while the smaller
islands are coral, limestone or sand cays. Many islands have
surrounding coral reefs and lagoons.
The Fijian population is an amalgam of indigenous Fijians, Indians,
part-Europeans, Rotumans, Chinese and other Pacific Islanders.
Traditional Fijian society is based on communal principles derived from
village life. Villagers share the obligations and rewards of community
life and are leb by a hereditary chief. Perhaps nothing reflects
Fijian tradition like "yagona" (kava, grog) drinking.
A drink prepared from the pulverized root of a plant from the pepper family,
with a numbing effect on the tongue. Visit a village or home and you
will probably come upon a group of people sitting on the floor around a
large wooden bowl with a muddy colored liquid, drinking the contents from a
half coconut shell. It is all about sharing, and exchanging
conversation. It creates a feeling of warmth and acceptance even among
total strangers. Join a yagona ceremony and you will experience
a cultural tradition that has influenced island life for generations.
The surrounding barrier
reefs and coral atolls are alive with over 400 species of hard and soft
corals and some of the most diverse fish life in the world. With about
1000 species of fish, an array of crustaceans, mollusks, anemones, worms and
other invertebrates, the coral gardens and the deep sloping shelf can reveal
something different on every dive. Look away into the blue and
encounter grey, silvertip, hammerhead, white tip, black tip, guitar, and
leopard sharks, manta's, barracuda' and turtles. Throughout the year
migratory whales also visit the Fijian waters.
For life after diving you can enjoy miles of deserted beaches, secluded
lagoons, and rainforest hikes to hidden waterfalls.
You will delight in getting to know the Fijian people, who are warm and
friendly and extend a heartfelt "Bula" (welcome, hello) to every
visitor.
Welcome to the Isles
of Smiles.
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