Pacific Island Paradises

— F i j i — – 34 – www.paradises.com are located in the city centres with most of the larger hotels and resorts providing their own entertainment in the form of Fijian nights that include a lovo (food cooked in an underground oven), sometimes the yaqona ceremony (kava drinking) and always a meke (song and dance). There's a good selection of restaurants in the major centres featuring Chinese, Japanese, Indian, French, and European foods. A number of places offer Fijian cuisine that is most often seafood, cooked in coconut milk and steamed or boiled rather than fried. Activities Fiji is renowned for the variety of activities available. Water-based activities abound including snorkelling on shallow reefs, scuba diving, game fishing, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, cruising and yacht charters. On land, choose from golf, horse riding, squash, rugby and trekking through tropical rainforests. There are crystal clear rivers to swim in, jet boats to ride in, sacred caves to visit and rapids to raft through. Numerous island tours are on offer with sailing excursions and safaris into the rugged peaks and remote villages of the highlands. Shopping Whether you are shopping or browsing, you'll discover everything from unique cultural and historical artifacts, to budget and souvenir shops, stylish international boutiques, and duty free shopping. Popular purchases include carved tanoa bowls from which 'the national drink' kava is mixed and served, 'cannibal forks' and Fijian combs. Handicrafts range from woven baskets and mats to masi (tapa cloth) and pottery items. For international fashion buffs, there is the ubiquitous sulu, an all-purpose, unisex, one-size-fits-all garment. This amazing outfit is worn 100 different ways by women from beach wrap to evening dress. For those who really love the age- old practice of bargaining, it is still conducted, in some shops and open markets. Normal shopping hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, and on Fridays most shops close at 6pm. On Saturdays a number of shops stay open for the first half of the day and most do not open on Sundays or Public Holidays. Climate Fiji's climate is tropical, with slight seasonal variations and occasional heavy rainfall. March to November is the dry season, and December to April is the wet season. Clothing Light tropical gear is advisable for Fiji's tropical climate. A swimsuit is appropriate if you are near a beach or pool. When approaching a town or village, it's respectful to locals to cover up. Remove headwear when approaching a village. Smart casual attire is appropriate at night in luxury hotels. Wet weather clothing is recommended for the wet season. Time zone GMT +12 hours or AEST +2 hours. Currency The currency is the Fijian dollar. All major credit cards are accepted in the major tourist resorts. ATMs can be found in all major cities and towns as well as the larger hotels and the airport. Tipping is not mandatory.

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