Bula and welcome to the Fiji Island Tours Bula Sheet

Bula and welcome to the Fiji Island Tours Bula Sheet. The aim of our newsletters is to always introduce you to something new and exciting in Fiji – which sums up the country as it is at the moment – busy, with the tourism sector thriving from the many new developments that are finished, almost finished, or just starting. If you havn’t been to Fiji for a while we urge you to consider it for your next holiday. The new resorts are spectacular, the established resorts are just as good as they have ever been, most have benefited from facelifts, and more importantly, the people, culture and experience is still friendly, exciting and truly wonderful. We urge you though to think ahead, book early, and then relax counting down the months, days or even hours, until you board your flight to this most beautiful place.

Richard, our Managing Director is always keen to keep on top of all the new developments in the industry and has had several trips to Fiji in the last three months. The first was a whirlwind week in early November.

Air Pacific was trumpeting their new service to the Vanua Levu region of the Fiji Islands, which will be in operation towards the middle of 2006. Air Pacific will introduce new purpose selected aircraft to carry 10, 20 or 40 passengers to the Mamanuca Island strips of Mana and Plantation Island. But, of greater significance will be their new services to Savusavu, Taveuni and Labasa – which will be connecting flights from Melbourne, Brisbane and some Sydney flights. The seamless connection to the fascinating areas of Vanua Levu will open up a whole new Fiji to many of you.

The whole area is spectacularly beautiful and is divorced from the more popular areas well known to travelers of the Coral Coast and Mamanuca regions. Resorts such as Namale, Jean Michel Cousteau, Koro Sun, Hot Springs Hotel; and on to Taveuni and Taveuni Island Resort, and the islands of Matagi and Qamea and Maravu. Resorts and opportunities to suit all holiday requirements.

Richard was accompanied on this trip by the heads of Air Pacific and the Fiji Visitors Bureau and many thanks go to them for arranging an excellent reconnaissance of this exciting area.

We urge you to consider discovering this area – it really is magnificent. And flying Air Pacific you will benefit from the full service, daily direct services from Sydney that they offer, as well as the regular services from Melbourne and Brisbane.

Richards’ second trip was in early February, with the first stop the 2006 Marketing Summit which was held in Vanua Levu at Namale Resort. After the Summit, Richard discovered the newest Star in the Fiji Islands. Conceived in Italy, born in Fiji and developing well into adolescence is Navutu Stars Resort.

A blend of Italian flair and Fijian atmosphere, Navutu Stars Resort is situated on the Northern coast of Yaqetta Island in the beautiful Yasawa Islands. With just 8 bures built with style in mind, the Resort offers couples the opportunity to enjoy relaxed comfort with exquisite cuisine created by a remarkable chef, formally from another of the leading Resorts in Fiji.

Navutu Stars Resort is reached by one of four ways in ascending scale of cost. The Awesome adventure high speed Catamaran services the Resort on a daily basis from Denarau up to the Blue Lagoon in the Yasawa Islands. The Catamaran services the more budget conscious resorts as well as Navutu Stars and Turtle Island Resort. This trip is fascinating as it cruises all the way in between these wonderful Islands. A highlight is Waya with its high volcanic peaks – simply stunning. The full trip takes just over 4 hours with the Navutu stop about 3 ½ hours. Should this be too long for you, the Nanuya Bell, a smaller catamaran makes the trip from Lautoka directly to the Blue Lagoon in around 2 hours. Or an even faster alternative, charter seaplane or helicopter.

Navutu Stars is priced in the middle range and offers meal plans with a choice of a la carte menus for lunch and dinner. Light eaters would find this is a resort to compare in price to many of the more popular resorts in the Mamanuca Islands. Gourmets will have a full choice of almost all individually prepared dishes, with seafood, lobsters and crab high on the popularity list.

Whilst there is limited watersports at the present the lagoon offers wonderful kayaking and of course snorkeling and SCUBA available from the very professional Westside Watersports based just 5 minutes away – ( 10 at low tide!). The Blue Lagoon itself offers access to some truly fabulous dive sites. Trips can also be taken to the famous caves at Sawa I Lau, to the local village, the Catholic Mission and school, fishing, and much more.

Why not combine Navutu Stars Resort with one of the Blue Lagoon Gold Club Cruises? The final night of your cruise is in the Blue Lagoon, and the resort will collect you from the cruise ship early in the morning as the rest of the Cruise guests return to Lautoka – their holidays over, yours extended to enjoy the pleasures of Navutu Stars.

It’s another big year for Fiji – if you are feeling sporty consider the following when planning your trip:

Fiji Tennis Open 01 May, Denarau Golf and Racquet
Castaway Island Swim, 19 May, Castaway Island Resort
Fiji Triathlon World Championships, 21 May, Denarau Island
Beachcomber Island Swim, 11 August, Beachcomber Island
Fiji Ocean Swim, 26 August, Mana Island

Get training!

Don’t forget that our other office Travelscene Mona Vale can handle any of your other travel needs, whether it be a personal holiday, or a group or corporate event.  Chris, Kerry, Jenine and Eileen can be contacted on 9979 7780 or on email sales@travelscenemonavale.com.au. When you’re talking to the girls ask them how you can travel anywhere, at anytime and pay with your American Express Membership Rewards points.

Moce until next time.

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