Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort, Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji

Advantages: Tropical gardens of outstanding beauty, with a stunning orchid collection
Disadvantages: reached by an unmade but safe road

...The tropical gardens nestle beneath the Nausori Hills (the ridge outline of the hills is said to resemble the body of a sleeping giant).We were not aware until we returned home that the gardens (and orchid collection ) formed part of the estate of the late Raymond Burr, Hollywood star of 'Ironside',and 'Perry Mason'. Located on Fiji's 'big island' a few minutes drive outside the bustling town of Nadi ,past the international airport,and along the Lautoka road.We did not require transport,but a taxi (a high proportion of which were splendid white Mercedes saloons) would have cost FJ$20.A steal! The gardens are a small (52acre!) oasis of peace calm and tranquility, featuring lush tropical vegetation, lily covered pools,traditional 'bures', shaded wood slatted walkways,volcanic rock outcrops, and - if you are into orchids- an absolutely... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Friendly, Laid-back - good prices
Disadvantages: Presently nasty political trouble

...We chose Fiji as one of our stopovers on our RTW ticket as I've always wanted to go there. It sounds exotic and I had read it was a really friendly place. Both of these proved very true. We stayed at a resort near to Nadi - others went onto other islands but we didn't have time. The three days that we spent there were excellent. There wasn't tons of things to do at the resort but we were after a rest after all that travelling. The resort was very reasonably priced - our 'Bure' was very luxurious compared to the hostels we stayed in before - especially the fridge. Food & drink were also cheap and plentiful at the resort which also had a weekly BBQ. Most of all it was the staff that made it so great - they were really friendly and joined various football and volleyball matches with us. Recently Fiji has been in the press alot but hopefully... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: tropical paradise, fantastic diving
Disadvantages: 2 days of flying to get there

...we were there to do was pick up essentials such as sulus (sarong type things) and bula dresses (the traditional dresses worn by fijian women for chruch). the journey to our island yadua, which is situated about an hour/hour and a half away from vanua levu and getting there involved a combination of ferries, trucks, buses and boats, i won't go into detail, but travelling with the fijians certainly beat using taxis and air conditioned coaches, even if i did end up looking a tad deshevled by the end of it all!! on arriving on the island, we attended a welcoming ceremony in the village, where we met the chief, which was swiftly followed by a kava ceremony. kava is a traditional fijian drink made from the pounded up roots of a plant, which is then mixed(during the ceremony)with water, and usually drunk out of half a coconut. it looks like... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful