he beaches and the stunning
archipelagos might be what draw
you to Fiji, but the true Fiji expe-
rience is defined by the country’s
special island culture. I remember my
first arrival in Nadi in ;;;;. As I walked
off the plane, I was greeted by “Bula”
(hello), followed by the most amazing a
cappella harmonies—Fijians, standing on
the tarmac, singing and welcoming the
arriving passengers in an unforgettable
way. Today, that tradition continues.
Of course, the musical welcome only
partially prepares you for Fiji’s pristine
beaches, coral reefs, blue lagoons, waterfalls and rainforests. You can snorkel,
scuba dive, hike, golf (or do nothing at all
in a comfy hammock).
And Nadi is just your jumping-off
point. It’s a hub for visiting the resorts on
the close-by Mamanuca Islands, home to
nearly half of Fiji’s resorts.
Beyond the Mamanucas lie the
Yasawa Islands, also a good choice. These
islands are somewhat wilder and less
developed, but just as beautiful, with longer beaches.
©
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TExplore
Fiji
The islands of Fiji o;er
beauty, hospitality and
much more for first-time
and return visitors
by PETER GREENBERG
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Peter Greenberg
is the multiple–Emmy
Award–winning travel
editor for CBS News
and host of The
Travel Detective on
public television
( petergreenberg.com).