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7 Days Marine Paradise Tour Package Duration : 7 Days / 6 Nights Priced From : $1,444 (All pricing reflects twin-sharing, per-person Land Only expenses) Dates : December (2008) 
Iridescent coral reefs lapped by alluring azure waters, sparkling, white-sand beaches perforated with gently-swaying palm trees and friendly peoples with colourful cultures and traditions are but a few of the remarkable spectacles that make this special tour a journey not soon forgotten. We learn about the beginnings of civilisation in the area with visits to archaeological sites; we discover the historical significance of hill forts, missionary churches and sugarcane and cattle-herding industries; and we explore the largely unseen face of Fiji by touring traditional marketplaces and conservation areas along the King's Highway which are reminiscent of a land that time forgot. Travelling along the scenic 'Coral Coast' and a short boat ride in picture-perfect blue lagoons amid stunning island scenery are activities to be experienced to be believed. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrive in Nadi Arrival in Nadi (pronounced 'Nandi'), Fiji and then drive to Sigatoka about an hour away by bus. Sigatoka lies at the mouth of the Sigatoka River, Fiji's second largest river, in a fertile valley known as "the salad bowl of Fiji". It's a small town with a small market and a row of local stores. The Sigatoka Sand Dunes constitute a small arid desert amidst the surrounding tropical vegetation. Important archaeological relics have been found here establishing that Fiji was settled about 3,500 years ago. They begin at the mouth of the Sigatoka Rivers and are reached after a short walk off the Queens Highway. The balance of the day is free to relax by the pool or seaside and recover from your long flight. Overnight in Sigatoka. Dinner. Day 2 Sigatoka - Suva We will set off this morning on a country road toward the interior along the lush Sigatoka River Valley. Small villages, patches of tropical forest, and cultivated areas alternate as we head for the Tavenui Hill Fort, a reflection of more turbulent times. The site was named by Tomjan Warriors whose descendants live in a village nearby; the Fort Lookout offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. We will have a brief walking tour of Sigatoka, a small and typically Fijian town. We also visit the Kula Eco Park, an amazing facility dedicated to the conservation of Fiji's indigenous flora and fauna and the environmental education of Fiji's children. This afternoon we head to Suva along scenic 'Coral Coast' passing small villages and long stretches of coastal forest. This part of the island is mainly inhabited by indigenous Fijian people who tend small market gardens and produce all their food requirements locally. Late this afternoon we arrive in the busy Fijian capital. Overnight in Suva. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Suva: City Tour The capital of Fiji is located in the south-eastern corner of Viti Levu. Suva became the capital in 1882 replacing Levuka on the island of Ovalau. Its rapid growth through the establishment of trading companies, missionary churches, and colonial government has left many buildings from the turn of the century. They are all protected under the Suva City Town Planning Scheme. Victoria Parade will reveal a variety of Fiji's most important buildings. Burns Philip, built in 1930 on Marks Road, was the first building in Suva to have a lift (elevator). Its large imposing design with a central tower has been copied throughout the Pacific. Morris Hedstrom, originally Henry Marks of the present Morris Hedstrom Supermarket and department store chain, erected the building in 1918. It is situated on land once owned by large business concerns, Brown & Joskie and Jung King Loon at the turn of the century. The arcaded verandah gives the building a Venetian appearance. The Fiji Visitors Bureau in Thomson Street occupies a Victorian Building, erected in 1912 as a savings bank and telephone exchange. Close by, Sichuan Pavilion restaurant and the Garrick Hotel date from 1929. Formally the Pier Hotel, built by the Costello family, it retains its original post-supported verandah and elaborate second story balcony. We continue along Thomson street to the G.B. Hari, on a corner built around the start of World War I; it was formerly the Universal Pictures Theatre. It is one of the few double storey wood and corrugated iron buildings remaining. It has several shops on the ground floor and offices above. The Catholic Cathedral is in Pratt Street. Father Rosier designed the crypt and nave in 1893. It was the initiative of Bishop Julian Vidal, Australian Bishop of Fiji. The pyrmont stones came from the Hunters Hill, Sydney, and were carried in ships as ballast. The timber flooring came from Quebec, Canada. Prouds Building was built by the chemist Metchelmore in 1929/31. This impressive three storey building faces the triangular park that was once the site of the original Suva market. Fintel, on Victoria Parade, was built in 1926. The first radio broadcasts were made from a room in this building. It retains its cable and wireless function to this day. A short distance along is the Old Town Hall, built in 1904 as a memorial to Queen Victoria on her Diamond Jubilee. With its cast lacework, it is one of Suva's finest examples of colonial architecture. In earlier times it was used by dance companies and bazaars. We also see the Botanic Gardens Clock Tower and the Government house. We end our tour with the excellent Suva Museum, which houses the most comprehensive collection of Fijian artifacts. Overnight in Suva. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Suva - Nausori - Rakiraki Heading north from Suva along the quiet King's Highway, we reach the important market town of Nausori located on the banks of the Rewa River, the largest in Fiji. The eastern half of Fiji receives considerably more rainfall than the drier western regions; it is therefore less suitable for sugarcane cultivation as the colonial planters found out to their great cost. Most of the land, once cleared for sugarcane has now been taken over by the jungle. Continuing along the road that runs along the main island's periphery, we head deep into the thickly forested north west corner of the island. Tiny hillside villages, whose main inhabitants are native Fijians, are supported by cattle grazing in an area rarely visited by tourists. We will spend the day stopping frequently along the sides of the dirt track to take photographs and to talk to villagers selling fresh papayas, bananas, guavas, pineapples and variety of fresh fruits on the roadside. Away from the populated towns, this is the real South Pacific that time has has passed by. Late in the afternoon we reach Raki Raki, a small country town surrounded by farms. Overnight in Rakiraki. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Rakiraki - Ba - Nadi We resume our drive westwards along Kings Road passing the Yaqara Cattle Ranch and the large town of Ba. Giant mango trees line the Kings Road as we enter Lautoka where Fiji's largest sugar mill is located by the Lautoka Wharf. This is in the heart of Fiji's "Sugar Belt" with thousands of small holdings cultivating sugar cane for mills in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki. The coastline faces Bligh Water with the Yasawa Islands shimmering on the horizon. As well as producing sugar, the area has an operating gold mine at Vatukoula, and "Green Gold" in the from of timber from extensive plantations of Caribbean pine trees. Overnight in Nadi. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Nadi - Mamanuca Islands - Nadi Today we depart for a sail tour of the uninhabited islands of the Mamanuca Island Group aboard the magnificent 100 foot schooner "Whales Tale". A continental breakfast and a full lunch are served onboard while we sail and spend time ashore on uninhabited coral islands set amidst perfect blue ocean lagoons. Snorkelling gear is provided free of charge. Set among deep blue waters with fringing coral reefs of turquoise and pastel green, the Mamanuca Islands offer visitors some of Fiji's most outstanding island beauty. The evening is a free in Nadi to visit High Street where a variety of shops sell local goods and tourist souvenirs. Overnight in Nadi. All meals. Day 7 Departure Departure from Nadi. Breakfast. BON VOYAGE!! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our Fiji Family vacation specialist. Contact : Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 12/08 |
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