Bula, and welcome to the Fiji Island Tours Bula Sheet

Last month our newsletter got a great response - don't forget when considering your next family holiday our Fiji for Kids arm has many great ideas. Fiji has attracted a lot of attention over the last month or so on Australia's popular travel shows, with Castaway, Vomo and Rivers Fiji featuring on Great Outdoors, and Jean Michele Cousteau featuring on Getaway. All were interesting to watch, but didn't really give enough away about each of the fabulous resorts, or activities they were featuring. In fact, I know that tabloid newspapers in Sydney focused more on Jodhi Packer at JMC, than JMC itself. Our solution to a three minute TV grab of these popular resorts is to ensure that we give you a lot more information through our newsletters, our websites www.fijiislands.com.au or www.fijinet.com, or through simply talking to us on the phone. So, if the shows whet your appetite, and you want more information simply give us a call.

This month at Fiji Island Tours we've welcomed a new member to our team. Salote has grown up in Fiji and has some great insights into her home country. Savusavu is her home town (where Jean Michele Cousteau resort is located) and it's great to learn from her about the area, and about life growing up in Fiji. Salote is excited about joining Sarah and Eileen and looks forward to talking, and helping you, with your next Fiji holiday. A little insider knowledge is definitely helpful.

Eileen has recently returned from a whirlwind trip to the Islands. As a guest of Virgin Blue and Captain Cook Cruises, Eileen spent two weeks exploring the Yasawas aboard the cruise, the Mamanuca islands, hopping her way from Tokoriki, to Mana, Castaway, Malolo, Plantation, Musket Cove and Lomani and then onto the Coral Coast where she explored all the resorts in this popular part of Fiji. She discovered new resorts such as The Pearl and revisited old favourites such as The Outrigger and The Sheraton Resorts at Denerau.

Eileen's Captain Cook Cruise began by joining a Sailing Safari Day trip to Tivua Island. This is an amazing day out, particularly if you are staying on the mainland. Tivua offers great snorkeling, a fantastic lunch and you can even enjoy a beach massage while you are there. Consider booking such a day trip when you book your holiday with us.

Once aboard the Reef Escape Eileen experienced the full joy of a four day cruise with Captain Cook. Day by day there were wonderful things to do on board, and off, with the cruise doing most of its moving at night - so you wake up with a beautiful new vista each morning! One of the most memorable experiences was a very early morning wake up call whilst at Sawa I-Lau. After a "scramble" to the summit of a nearby hill the guests experience one of the most magnificent sunrises ever. As the Captain Cook itinerary say - an amazing photographic opportunity. Other highlights included a performance by the children at Ratu Namasi Memorial School, a visit to Matacaweluvu Village and snorkeling in the spectacular Blue Lagoon. The Yasawa Island group itself is a true highlight.

"There is something in the long, slow lift of the ship, and her long slow slide forwards which makes my heart beat with joy. It is the motion of freedom"
 

Captain Cook Cruises - Early Bird Special

Captain Cook Cruises have a very special early bird bonus. If you book a Captain Cook Cruise aboard MV Reef Escape before 31 October 2005 you will receive a free upgrade from Stateroom to a Tabua Stateroom. This is valid for sale from 01 September to 31 October 2005 and is for travel until March 31, 2006. Captain Cook are also offering really great deals for their cruises - from the 3 night cruise right up to the 7 night cruise. For example a three night cruise departing Denarau on Saturdays is as little as $889 per person including all meals, accommodation, all onboard facilities, village and island visits, cultural activities, meke and lovo feast, glass bottom boat excursions, snorkeling equipment, entertainment and Nadi transfers.

A copy of Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report recently came to me via email. It featured a story on The Wakaya Club, Wakaya Island. If you are looking for luxury, privacy and pure bliss, take a look at Wakaya. Wakaya is located on the Eastern side of Fiji's main island, Viti Levu. It is a 2,200 acre privately owned island with spectacular geography, pristine beaches, rare birds and intriguing archaeological sites. Accommodation at Wakaya is limited to 9 bures of exquisite standard. Whilst at Wakaya enjoy Pacific Rim cuisine featuring locally grown organic produce, estate raised venison and pork and oh so fresh seafood; indulge in clear water ocean swimming, champagne picnic lunches, offshore sporting pursuits; experience the new full service couples spa or have a round of golf. As Andrew Harper says "maybe this is heaven after all".

If you like the sound of Wakaya have a chat to Richard who can tell you, from first hand experience, how wonderful it really is. The rest of us, sadly, have not been quite so lucky! But, if we've given you a taste of the top end of the market today, make sure you read our next Bula Sheet. We'll dedicate that issue to the many top end resorts in Fiji. Places like Yasawa Island Resort, Vatulele, Royal Davui, Turtle Island, Vomo, managed by Sofitel, Tokoriki, Jean Michele Cousteau and more.

In the meantime may we offer one word of advice. Currently Fiji is enjoying a surge of popularity, which is wonderful, but which means when planning your holiday, if at all possible, plan ahead. By doing this we will ensure that we can secure the resort you want, on the dates you want, and in the rooms you prefer. In particular, if planning on traveling in school holidays, you do need to book well in advance.

For full details of anything discussed in this newsletter please contact us as below.

Email. sales@fijiislands.com.au
Tel. (02) 9979 2403
Fax (02) 9979 2407

From all members of the Fiji Islands Team our very best wishes.

And please remember that our other division Islands and Corporate Travel continues to serve our clients with their travel arrangements throughout the World for both Holiday and Corporate Travel.

Richard Miall Director Lamil P/L Fiji Island Tours Island and Corporate Travel

Email: sales@fijiislands.com.au Phone: +61 2 9979 2403 Fax: +61 2 9979 2407