Fiji—A joyous land where sitting on the International Date Line
lets one exist today and yesterday
By Camille Bounds
Travel Editor

Flights land at Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu Island in Fiji where you are greeted by smiling Fijian faces sincerely wishing you good health. Efficient cabs whisk you to your destinations and the starting points of your awaiting adventure.
Covering an area of over 500,000 square miles in the enchanted South Seas lay the 330 islands, (give or take a few) that make up the Fijian archipelago of which only about one third is inhabited. Located just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, the country is slightly larger than California and Nevada put together. Less than two percent of the territory is land; the rest is sea. The International Date Line that divides the world into today and yesterday passes though the islands.
The closest major city is New Zealand’s Auckland, located about 1,300 miles to the south—a five hour flight will get you to Honolulu and a 10 hour flight to Los Angeles.
Named the “Gateway to the South Pacific,” Fiji can be considered a creative mix of cultures. The area consists of more than 300 volcanic islands and low lying atolls. In addition, you will find white sandy beaches, impenetrable rain forests, shifting sand dunes and reefs teeming with a wealth of stunning marine life.
Fiji Islanders today are considered the friendliest people on the planet. Centuries past, their fierce reputation as fighters and brutal cannibals had navigators and explorers keep a wide breadth of the islands. Today Fijians, Indians, Polynesians, Chinese and Europeans live together as separate entities. There has been some political unrest but never involving the tourist. Fiji is considered a safe destination. English is spoken just about everywhere.
Fiji is made up of two large islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and rimmed by groups of islands on both sides. The whole archipelago surrounds the Koro Sea.
The largest island is Viti Levu. Meaning “Big Fiji,” it is the third largest of all the islands in the Pacific and is the hub of the Fijian archipelago. Viti Levu, considered the most developed island in the area, is the home to 70 percent of the Fijian population. The western coast is the haven for most tourists because of mild weather, sandy beaches, upscale resorts and vast areas of sugar plantations. (The eastern side is very damp and green.)
Located on the southeastern shore, Suva, (the capital of Fiji since 1882) and the largest city port, is the home of the country’s highest mountain, Mount Tomanivi, and Rewa River the longest river. The small island of Bau, the former native capital, sits off the east coast of Viti Levu and the home of the high chiefs of Fiji.
Vanua Levu (“Big Land”) half the size of Viti Levu, is the second largest island and supports about 18 percent of the total population. Less developed than its big sister, it is craggy and surrounded by a vast structure of coral reefs—its source is volcanic with few beaches.
Experienced divers call Fiji the “Soft Coral Capital of the World.” The waters of Fiji are home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. There are three types of reefs here: “fringing” reefs along the coastline, “barrier” reefs separated from the coast by a lagoon, and “atoll” reefs, which are circular or horseshoe-shaped. The Great Astrolabe Reef, Rainbow Reef, Great Sea Reef and the Argo Reef in the Lau islands are considered the most recognized coral reefs in Fiji. This is a diver’s paradise. The reefs are government protected but tourist friendly. Understandably, advance plans should be made to dive here.
During World War II the Fijians recruited more than 8,000 men to fight alongside the allies in the Solomon Islands. The Fijians were so superior in jungle warfare that they were never noted as “missing in action”; instead, they were listed as “not yet arrived” because they would some way, ultimately, amazingly show up at their unit sometimes days after a mission.
Sugar and the garment industry, along with gold mining on northern Viti Levu, contributes to the soft economy with fishing, copra, timber, furniture, and coffee (the famous Fuji bottled water originated here). Tourism is the main business that is responsible for much of the revenue for the country.
Fiji has a high literacy rate. The University of the South Pacific on Suva runs about 2,500 students in its curriculum. There is The Fiji School of Medicine and the Fiji School of Nursing and a theological college that offers courses in religious studies. Elementary education is also well covered in Fiji.
The best time to go to Fiji is during the Fiji winter season or dry season from May to October. During this period you can, for the most part, avoid occasional cyclones and hurricanes; there is lower rainfall and humidity at this time. This is considered the high season so accommodations and air fares will be at their highest rates. November through April is considered the wet season.

If active outdoor activities are your cup of tea, Fiji has it—everything. Just skimming from the top—diving and snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, golf and tennis, sailing, kayaking and river rafting. For the less active, bird watching, whale and dolphin watching, and eco-travel tours are available. The Web page below will hook you up with the best deals from a place to stay to fire walking demonstrations.

Where to stay, dine and get there:
Go to: www.bulafigi.com—this Web page covers everything. You can also call the Fiji Visitor’s Bureau in Los Angeles at 800-932-3454. They will send you brochures, give you information and assist any way possible.
However, a reliable, knowledgeable travel consultant is really your best bet to coordinate this adventure.

When you complete your adventure in Fiji, you will know that there is more than one “Happiest Place On Earth”—that is Fiji, with its unmatchable beauty and charming people.

Camille Bounds is the travel editor for Sunrise Publications and the Inland Empire Business Journal.