Isles retain their strong appeal

Press, 28 June 1983, Page 25

Isles retain their strong appeal

Familiarity, they say, breeds contempt. Familiarity with Fiji does not. As we become better acquainted with other countries around the world our appreciation of Fiji deepens. But many New Zealanders, we believe, tend to take Fiji for granted, in much the same way that they take their own country for granted. It is only when you travel to more distant lands in quest of the “exotic” that you understand how rare and precious Fiji is. Scratch the veneer of so many countries with a reputation for “friendliness” and you find that the smiles are but a shade away from snarls; greetings, flip and automatic; eye contact on the street, an invitation to insult or worse. Not so Fiji. Our visit there earlier this month was our sixteenth in the past 10 years. And, as always, the experience spar-

kled with magical moments that had nothing to do with golden sands or swaying palms. Rather, the sheer vitality of the Fijian people once again held us captive in all-embracing warmth. The spirit of Fiji, intact and unspoilt, shines forth in smiles, laughter, song. Such sincerity cannot be bought, but in Fiji it can be guaranteed. It is not part of any package-deal but one could defy any visitor to leave Fiji without his faith in mankind revitalised and his self enriched. Plainly, Fiji’s greatest asset is its

Travel journalists rarely reveal their preferences for a holiday destination. In the accompanying article, however, ANNE BLOXHAM makes an exception and openly admits that Fiji and the genuine warmth of its people are hard to beat.

people. Pass as a stranger through their humble villages and you will soon find a genuine friendliness rare in today’s world. And its islands are the stuff dreams are made of. Among the 300 tropical isles there are sure to be a few tailormade to your dreams. Viti Levu, the largest, has it all: sunshine, shopping, wining, dining, discos, culture, safaris, sporting facilities, river cruises, flightseeing. Turtle and Toberua islands offer exclusive luxury and peace; others such as Castaway, Plantation, Mana, Beachcomber and Treasure islands offer more modestly priced refuges from reality; more romantic yet are the island chains of Mamanuca and Yasawa, remote isles of call for cruises. You might discover a tiny atoll without so much as a footprint in the sand, or an island steeped in legend and magic. They are there. And what about the sea? Pure fantasy. A warm translucent veil over a vibrant garden of coral. In essence Fiji has changed little in the past 10 years. But as the world changes, Fiji’s value increases. It is a mistake to view Fiji today in its former light of a decade ago as a cheap spot to grab a tan and a bag of duty-free goods. For a start, the exchange rate places the New Zealander at a disadvantage similar to that encountered in the United States and Australia. Furthermore, dining in some luxury hotels can be expensive. Also, the tightening

of New Zealand’s Customs regulations has tarnished the gloss of Fiji’s dutyfree bargains. Such are the facts. But they do not detract from Fiji as an attractive destination in its own right. Nor should they deter prospective travellers. On the credit side, the standards of service and facilities have improved almost beyond measure in the past decade. Fiji, “the way the world should be,” is now in the international league. If New Zealanders have failed to recognise that it is now a destination with soul and style, it can only be because Fiji is so close that the view has become a little blurred. But if you blink rapidly and take another look, you may be surprised by joy as the youth who discovers that the girl-next-door is a true beauty.