Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort

Shangri-La’s Little Chiefs Club is for children aged between 4 and 12 years old. The club is free for guests. Children aged under 4 need a babysitter or parent. There are different activities arranged each day based on two age groups 4-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds. Activities take place at the kids club or at the children’s pool, on the beach or at the children’s playground. The Little Chiefs Club is open every day from 9am to 12noon and 1pm to 5pm.

Plantation Island

Plantation Island has the ‘Coconut Club’, a free kids club for guests. When you first visit the club you get a free t-shirt which the kids get to decorate. The club is for kids aged 4 to 11 with kids under 4 requiring a babysitter or parent to attend. The club is open daily from 9am to 1pm, 2pm to 5pm and 6.30pm till 9pm. The kids club room has a ball pit, jumping castle and TV and the activities features a mixture of traditional games combined with Fijian cultural activities.

Castaway Island

The Castaway Kids Club includes supervised daily adventures and educational games with a Fijian flavour. The club is for kids aged 3 years and over and is open from 9am to 4 pm and 5.30 to 9pm daily. The club is free for guests.

Mana Island

Mana’s Tu Vonu Kids Club is for kids aged 3-12 years. There is a one-off payment of F$25 per child per stay for registration and includes some souvenir gifts as a reminder of the stay. The club is open from 10 am till 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm daily.

Malolo Island

Malolo’s Tai’s Treehouse kids club is for kids 4-12 year old. The club is free for guests and has plenty of equipment and games with a fully fenced playground. Kids under 4 require a babysitter. Malolo has introduced a new kids activities program which will immerse them in a fun, innovative and educational way into island life and will include a focus on the environment, the culture and the history of Malolo Island and Fiji in general.

Out rigger Resort

Out rigger has the Little Riggers program for 3 – 7 years and the Beach Riggers program for 8 – 12 years. The activities run daily from 10am to 12 noon, 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm. Kids club activities are free for guests. Out rigger also offers a nanny service for children 6 months to 12 years. A teenager activity program is also available and includes hiking activities, spear making and trips to local attractions (at a small cost).

The Naviti Resort

The Naviti’s Ratu & Adi Vonu kids club is for 5-12 year olds. The club is open most of the day from 9am to 10pm and is free for resort guests. The kids club has a play area for the kids as well as a daily activities program and night time activities. Children under 5 are welcome if they are accompanied by a babysitter or parent.

The Warwick Resort

The Warwick KARE club is open for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied however there is a charge of F$5 per child per day. The club is open daily from 9am to 12 noon and from 1.30pm until 4pm.

Hideaway Resort

The Hermit Crab Kids Club is suitable for children 5 – 12 years and is free of charge. Babysitting is available for children aged 1 – 4 years. There are a number of activities including some traditional Fijian activities.

Radisson Blu Resort

The Pirate’s Cove Kid’s Club is available for kids ages 4 to 12. There are three sessions daily from 9.00am – 1.00pm, 1.00pm – 5.00pm and 5.00pm – 8.30pm. The club is not free and expect to pay up to F$10 per child per session.

Sheraton Fiji Resort

Sheratons Lai Lai kids club to offers a comprehensive daily program ranging from Fijian Language Lessons to Fish Feeding and Face Painting, to name just a few. The club is free for guests aged 4-12 years and under 4’s are welcome if accompanied by an adult. The club has day and night time sessions.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort

The Bula Club has two kids programs; the Lei Lei Bula Club for kids 0 to 5 years and the Marau Bula Club for kids 6 to 12 years. The Bula club is free for guests and features a daily program of activities that are fun, educational and cultural. The Bula club is available from 8am to 9pm daily. A feature of the club is a dedicated nanny (or buddy) who will look after your child for the day and the duration of your stay. The Bula club program also includes fresh, healthy meals and bottled soft drinks making it one of the most popular kids clubs in Fiji.

Treasure Island

The Treasure Island kids club has a large purpose-built bure featuring a host of fun activities and strategically located in the centre of the island. The Club’s innovative program of activities is run by dedicated fully qualified staff and features activities that cater for all ages. The club is open to children aged 3 and over. The club is free for guests and has daily registration from 9.30 am, an afternoon session as well as a night session from 7pm till 9pm.

Sofitel Fiji Resort

The Turtle kids club is for kids aged 2-12 years old. The club is divided into three age groups, 0 to 3 years, 3 to 6 years and 6 to 12 years and features an indoor playground. The club is open daily from 9am to 9pm and a $30 charge per child per day applies.

Fiji Beach Resort & Spa Managed by Hilton

The Kids Club features a spacious outdoor play area and two indoor activity rooms. The club is open between 9am to 5pm daily for kids aged 3 – 12 years. Kids under 3 welcome if they are accompanied by a parent or nanny. The club has activities specifically designed for different age groups. The kids club is free for guests.

Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa

The Planet Trekkers kids club is open to kids aged between 4 – 12 years. Kids under 4 need to be accompanied by a resort nanny. The club is open from 9.00am – 1.30pm, 2pm – 6pm & 6.30pm – 10.30pm. There is a charge of F$30 per child per session (there are 3 daily) which includes 1 meal.

Fresh ingredients, some vegetables and the cooks dedication make the Fijian food not only a mix of colours and flavours, but a healthy and tasty meal.

The cuisine of Fiji is a wonderful treat for travellers, one that perfectly captures the essence of the nation’s colourful culture and traditions.

Traditional Ingredients

Fijians use many fresh ingredients to cook their meals. Common ingredients include vegetables such as sweet potatoes, cassava and eggplant. Many dishes also feature fruits like bananas and oranges. Fiji, like many other Pacific island nations, is also famous for its coconut consumption. Certain tribes partake in spear fishing to use in their meals. Wild boar is used to make many of the pork dishes.

Curries

Influences from Indian cuisine have been used in Fiji food in recent years. One of the most common examples is the use of spicy curry recipes to supplement meals. Fijian raita, which consists of chili peppers and yogurt, is a popular condiment used with curries. Coconut chutney is also used to accompany curry dishes. The spicy influences of curry are even used to create spicier versions of fish and meat dishes.

Popular Meals

Many of the popular meals in Fiji share ties with Asian countries and other island nations. Palusami, a common dish used in many Polynesian cuisines, consists of corned beef, onions and an assortment of other vegetables wrapped in taro leaves. Kokoda, a chilled fish salad, is another one of Fiji’s specialties. A favourite delicacy served during many traditional ceremonies is a coconut, banana and tapioca mixture known as kassaua.

Lovo

This traditional Fijian food preparation method is often used during special ceremonies. A fire pit is made in the ground using stones. Leaves and wood are used for kindling. Pork, chicken, seafood or other foods are wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over the fire.

Additional Fiji Tips

Travelers visiting Fiji can find holiday package deals on Fiji flights and hotels. For more adventurous travellers, another Fiji accommodation option is to stay in a local village in order to achieve a better understanding of the culture. It is important to always be respectful of Fijian traditions and ceremonies. Dressing modestly around villagers is also appreciated.

Fiji’s exquisite cuisine is likely to be a favourite for many travellers. The fresh ingredients and attention to detail used in the creation of these meals enhance the overall quality of the food selections. Fijian cuisine is definitely worth discovering.

Are you interested in taking a vacation, a romantic getaway, or a honeymoon? If you are, you may have had Fiji travel recommended to you before. Although it is nice to know that Fiji is a great destination for a vacation, romantic getaway, or honeymoon, you may be interested in learning just why that is. If you are, you will want to continue reading on.

When it comes to determining exactly why Fuji travel is so popular, you will find that Fiji travel is popular for a number of different reasons. This is mostly because tourists are drawn to Fiji for different reasons. A few of the most common reasons why Fiji travel is so popular are outlined below.

One of the many reasons why Fiji travel is so popular is because of its affordability. Unfortunately, many associate Fiji travel with high costs. Yes, it can be expensive to travel to Fiji, but it doesn’t have to be. By carefully booking your Fiji travel arrangements or by making your arrangements in the form of a vacation package, you should be able to vacation or honeymoon in Fiji for an affordable rate.

Although Fiji travel can be affordable, you in no way have to compromise quality for cost. You may actually be surprised with just how much fun you can have in Fuji. In fact, that fun is another one of the many reasons why Fuji travel is so popular. No matter where in Fuji you travel to, you will be presented with a number of fun and exciting activities to participate in, as well a number of exciting attractions to visit. Just a few of those activities may include hiking, scuba diving, and snorkeling.

Another one of the many reasons why Fuji travel is so popular is due to the beauty of Fuji. Fuji’s coasts are home to breathtaking coral reefs. That is why scuba diving is a popular Fuji travel activity. In addition to enjoying Fuji’s coasts from underwater, you can do so from above as well. Fiji’s beaches are some of the best in the world for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and boating. If you are interested in waking up to the beauty of Fiji and its beaches each day, you may want to try to book reservations at a Fiji beachfront resort.

The above mentioned reasons are just a few of the many reasons why Fiji travel is so popular and in such high demand. This popularity is actually something that you should keep in mind, when booking your reservations. Since Fiji travel is so popular, you will want to make your Fiji travel arrangements in advance. Some tourists make their reservations up to a year in advance. To ensure that you get to participate in all of the fun activities that you want to, like a Fiji scuba diving tour, or stay at the island resort of your choice, you may want to think about making your Fiji travel arrangements as you as to decide to visit Fiji.

Fiji is a serene island country in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 miles northeast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is actually an archipelago of more than 300 small islands, most of which have been formed due to volcanic activity. About 75 per cent of visitors to this country are on vacation, away from the humdrum of city life. It is connected by airways and waterways to different parts of the world. Cheap flights to Fiji are operated by different airlines from around the world to Nadi and Nausori, locations of two international airports. Besides there two airports, there are 13 outer island airports in this island nation.

More than 80 percent of its population lives on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu islands. The country has a tropical climate all through the year. It has many avenues for adventure seekers, such as scuba diving and snorkelling. Its white sandy beaches, colourful coral islands and aesthetically appealing natural surroundings make it a favourite tourist hotspot.

How to Reach Fiji from India

From India, travellers can catch a Fiji flight on Jet Airways or Air India to Nadi International Airport. These flights are not direct or non-stop, but have one or two stopover locations en route. It shall be noted that a different airline, other than the booking carrier, might fly the connecting flights from stopping locations under their codeshare or interline agreements.

Tourists shall consider factors of layover time and requirements of transit visa at stopping locations. This visa can be obtained easily in most of the cases but nothing shall be left to chance. Else, in the absence of transit visa, there could be problems at these airports.

Jet Airways and Air India, the two reputed Indian carriers, normally have two different route directions. These might fly to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore or some other city in the South East Asian region in the first leg of journey to Fiji and from there another carrier takes fliers to another stopover city and from thereon to Nadi International Airport.

An alternative route has a stop in one of the Australian cities and then to this destination. Cheap flights to Fiji are operated from major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.

Cities in India are also connected to this island nation by international airlines like Qantas, Singapore Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and a few others.

Flight Schedule Information

Information about any schedule, say of a Delhi to Fiji flight, can be obtained by performing searches either on the websites of various airlines or on the online portals of travel agencies. Airline websites have to be searched one by one and it might be inconvenient to note down the details and respective offering of cheap airfare to Fiji for the purpose of making comparisons. A second option is to make use of the online travel agency portals, which make comparisons more convenient.

Flight details shall be carefully examined as some of the cheaper airfare options might have a greater layover time. While some passengers also prefer to choose a layover destination before moving on further, there could be many others who might want to spend lowest possible time at these stops.

According to World Health Organization estimates, nearly 300 million people around the world suffer from asthma, with nearly 10% of the global population diagnosed with this lifelong respiratory disease. In the United States, around 70% of asthmatics also have allergies to pollen and certain foods, especially dairy, with the annual economic cost of asthma reaching US$20 billion in medical and indirect costs, with prescription drugs representing the largest single direct medical expenditure at US$6 billion. Every year, nearly 250,000 people die from asthma related complications.

There is currently no known medical cure for asthma, with asthmatics enduring a continuous management regime of steroids, inhalers and nebulizers to help reduce its symptoms. But an 11 year old Australian boy begs to differ with medical science, and claims that a traditional Fijian remedy for asthma has cured him, with no relapse for the past 12 months since he underwent an incredibly moving and traditional Fijian ritual. At the age of five, Tanner Blessington from Sydney’s north shore in Australia contracted the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) at the start of winter and ended up being hospitalized and treated with intravenous fluids and ventolin immediately. RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness across all ages in nearly every country, but school-aged children are particularly susceptible during colder months as colds and flu spread and place their immune systems under enormous pressure. RSV was first discovered in 1956 and since been recognized by the medical profession as one of the most common causes of childhood illnesses.

The Blessington family visit Fiji every year for holidays but on one visit they learned from a Fijian working at one of the resorts that his mother claimed to have the gift to cure asthma. Tanner’s mother, Leanne, just shrugged the comment off as a Fijian myth but remained curious for another two years, when by a second chance meeting, she met the same man. Still curious but acutely aware that it might just be a scam for money, she decided to take the next step and meet this mysterious mother. In pouring rain, the Blessington’s took a taxi to the local village to meet the man’s wife and three children. His elderly mother came straight up to Tanner and said that she had a dream that he was coming to see her. After a few hours of pleasantries, Leanne and husband Adrian were asked to leave the room, so that the elderly women could concentrate on helping young Tanner. With night approaching and still raining, the men of the family went to climb a nuidamu coconut tree to retrieve an orange-red coconut, and to get a medicinal tree root. Without any safety equipment, one of the men climbed a tall palm tree, carefully removed a few coconuts, tied a rope around each bundle and gently lowered them to the ground. Nuidamu coconuts are highly respected in traditional medicine and the utmost care was taken not to let them hit the ground.

Returning back to the house, the older woman began shaving the skin of the root over newspaper, like peeling cassava root. The shavings were then bundled up inside the stringy, vau bark of the coconut tree to form a bundle, and immersed into the coconut water to let it infuse and absorb. In the meantime, as the family continued to pray and chant, she ran her finger across Tanner’s hand and up the underside of his arm and said to him, “this will not work if you don’t have love inside you”. All negativity and stress had to go from his mind, as well as his parents who were sitting nearby. This was especially difficult for his parents, as they had just heard that their Sydney home had been robbed and most of their jewellery and possessions had been stolen whilst they were in Fiji. Leanne tells of the hardship to rid herself of stress but she was determined to do everything right to make this work for her son.

Once the bark and shaved roots had absorbed most of the coconut water, they were hand-squeezed to extract the essential oils and tree sap back into a bowl, leaving only the dry bark and root in a bundle, which she put to one side. Tanner had his first drink of the herbal water and said it didn’t taste as bad as Western medicine. After more ceremony and prayer, Tanner had one final ritual to perform. He had to swim out to the deepest point in the sea and throw the dry bark bundle as far as he could and say “goodbye to my asthma”. He was told that he had to drink the rest of the mixture, with top ups of more nuidamu coconut water, for the next seven days. He couldn’t drink any other liquids including water, juice or the gravy from his favorite curries – only the coconut medicine that had been made. This was probably because it may have diluted the potency of the herbal drink, ensuring the traditional medicine could do its job. Leanne was still skeptical, but there was no money exchanged and the old woman simply asked that they had faith and put their hearts and minds to believing the treatment would work. On day eight, Tanner mustered up the courage to put the treatment to the ultimate test. With his inhaler at the ready, he ordered the biggest ice cream sundae. To everyone’s surprise, there was no reaction. No wheezing, no constricted airway, his asthma had miraculously disappeared. For the next 12 months, Leanne held her breath, constantly monitoring her son’s condition back home in Australia, unsure if and when his asthma may return. It didn’t. On their return to Fiji just recently, Tanner fulfilled one his biggest dreams that his previous condition had prevented him doing. He learned to scuba dive. “On the dive application form, it asked if I had any medical condition. I ticked no. I used to have asthma but it is now out there at sea” said young Tanner.

In the book, “Secrets of Fijian Medicine”, Dr. Michael Weiner, a professor at the University of California in the US, spent several years in Fiji during the 1980’s working with the government and the United Nations Development Programme to document Fiji’s ancient herbal remedies. In it, Tanner’s treatment is documented and well known to many Fijian elders. Tree roots used to treat asthma include vesi (intsia bijuga) and vadra aerial roots (pandanus) and both are commonly found throughout parts of South East Asia and the Pacific Islands. The sacred orange-red coconuts are also listed in his book. Native to Asia and Polynesia, the niudamu tall palm tree grows to a height of 100 feet and bears mainly yellow and orange-red coloured coconuts. Belonging to the cocos nucifera L. family, this unique tree is known in Fijian medicine to also cure a number of ailments like fish poisoning, infected sores, scabies and is used as a general antibacterial agent.

Studies of coconut oil around the world reveals that pure virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed and not heat-treated like that processed in Fiji’s copra mills, is very high in antioxidants that are beginning to be recognized around the world to help stop brain degeneration and life threatening bacterial and viral diseases. MCT’s (middle chain triglycerides) are in high concentration in virgin coconut oils containing 60% of the good antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties of any known oil. Lauric acid is also naturally occurring in coconut, and like breast milk, acts as an antibacterial and antiviral to both kill germs and nourish the cells. Our modern diet, especially in Western cultures, lacks MCT, which was always mostly found in coconut oil and now you will find it lacking or nonexistent in most cooking oils you use today. One of today’s characteristic health problems is high cholesterol mostly in the form of LDLs (low density lipoproteins), with low HDLs (high density lipoproteins), and high triglycerides. What’s interesting about coconut oil is it increases HDL, reduces LDL, and reduces the triglycerides all at once. MCT oil is also being used in a number of applications in the US for treatment of a range of viral diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, asthma, eczema and HIV, as it is believed that this ancient medicine in a coconut is one of nature’s gifts of a highly effective, non-toxic remedy to kill viruses and bacteria in the body.

So does Fijian traditional medicine hold the clues and secrets to curing asthma and other modern diseases? Medical science says no, but for one young Australian boy, the “Tree of Life” takes on a whole new meaning.

Two weeks of Fiji’s Bula Spirit had left its impression on me back in 1999.

Now, with a child in tow, it stood to reason the Bua party of 3 was bound for a memorable week long, first Christmas, family getaway. Even so, this was uncharted territory.

For this trip, unlike my first, figuring it out as we went and backpacker accommodation in a basic thatched hut (bure) wasn’t going to cut it. We had to factor in the needs of a 9 month old now with amenities like a cot, basic kitchen facilities and, at the very least, a fan at the top of our wish list.

Some homework would be required so, after much diligent online research and phone calls by Bec, it was finally settled. We’d be staying a mere 4 kilometers from the Nadi International Airport at the Club Fiji Resort.

Now we just needed to get there, I told myself, secretly dreading the great unknown of having to fly with a child. But a combination of well-timed bottle feeds and a small dose of Phenergan rendered our initial fears of equalization issues and possible tantrums a mute point and Kaia passed her first test with flying colors. If only navigating the glacially moving customs and immigration line in Nadi could’ve proven half as easy.

But in the end, we’d get through and find our driver patiently waiting for us to chauffeur us to our home for the next week. Located all of a few hundred meters off the island’s main road down a dirt road in bad need of a grading, we were happy to find Club Fiji the well-manicured, water front and palm tree fringed oasis as portrayed in the photos on Trip Advisor.

All that was needed was a sorting of our gear and, in less time than it takes to down a full cup of kava and clap three times, we were quickly settled in. In to our daily routine of an included tasty breakfast, water time, waterside naps on daddy, walks along the beach, open air local bus sightseeing bus rides and plenty of happy hour drinks before dinner. All interspersed, of course, with feedings for Kaia and, more importantly, managing to get Kaia’s endless supply of bottles boiled for her next round of feedings by one staff member, in particular, that couldn’t do enough to help.

Annie’s smile was as huge as it was genuine and she took a special interest in Kaia and doted on her every morning at breakfast with hugs and kisses and pinches on the cheek and, daddy’s favorite, with extra serving portions. It was a level of kindness and affection that would follow us throughout our time on Fiji, none more so than when we boarded a fast ferry out to South Sea Island to spend Christmas Day.

I’d worked in tourism long enough to know that no matter how unique and exotic your office is, there are times when it is still just that-a job. Especially on big holidays when, truth be told, being with friends and family would be your first choice. It’s at these times when keeping that sincere smile in place is toughest.

But apparently, the crew there on South Sea Island didn’t get that memo. “My family will be all getting together later this afternoon,” one Bula shirt adorned island employee assured me with a large, nonchalant smile that suggested he was happy right where he was, thank you very much.

And why not? It really didn’t get more postcard perfect than the minute pile of coral they punched their time cards on there in the middle of a turquoise South Pacific. It very well may have been ‘just a job’, but it was definitely one he seemed to enjoy and it was an attitude shared by virtually all his co-workers and one that helped raise the bar on friendly hospitality to a whole other level.

In the end, Fiji with Kaia opened my eyes to the fact that travelling with a small child has its own unique set of rewards. Rewards in the form of an ‘open heart’ policy that make travel rewarding in ways unimaginable to the parentally unencumbered.

But then, I should’ve known better having been there once already. It’s called the Bula Spirit for a reason.

And that spirit, along with Kaia leading the way, probably ruined me… though, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit we intend to test the theory.

If you are looking for a travel destination, one of the most coveted and well known is a little group of islands in the South Pacific known as Fiji. A census showed in 2012 that three-quarters of the people that went to Fiji did so for a vacation, so it is time to see what you are missing out on! Interestingly, of the multitude of islands that make up Fiji, only just over 300 are actually large enough that humans can inhabit, and only about a third of those islands actually are inhabited by humans. In 1970, it became an independent republic from Britain, but for a hundred years previous to their independence, Fiji was actually a Crown Colony.

And, if visiting a tropical paradise isn’t enough, why not do it in style and travel via private yacht? It sounds expensive and time consuming, but it is actually one of the most relaxing, luxurious ways to enjoy a tropical paradise like Fiji. Since there are over 500 inlets in Fiji, there are plenty of ways for your private ship to access the 300 plus islands that are large enough for people to live on. Not only that, but while you are travelling you will be privy to more than 1,500 different species of aquatic life just going between these beautiful islands!

For the more active traveler, there are plenty of activities to indulge on right from your back door on a private yacht. Fantasy Reef is one of the most famous diving venues in the world, and it is right on Waya Island, one of the larger islands in Fiji. Or, if you don’t want to deal with all of that gear, simply go snorkeling – with more than 4,000 miles of reef just under the surface, there are many unbelievable places to go to be exposed to the colorful, breathtaking scenery. And, if you get tired of water sports, never fear, there are still plenty of things to do. For example, the islands are very mountainous because they were formed by volcanic activity that still stirs up every now and again. The highest point is on Mt. Tomanivi at over 4,000 feet, so Fiji is actually a great place to go hiking.

However, if you are looking for a more relaxed vacation, a yacht charter Fiji can accommodate that too. Cruise around to the Blue Lagoon Island or any of the other expansive beaches for the day, and take in the beautiful sights from your lounge chair on the deck of the ship. Relax on the picturesque, sandy beaches that are the image of postcards and paintings.

With a land mass that is slightly less than that of New Jersey in the United States, people don’t travel to Fiji because of the size. What they do travel for is the cultural experience, the scenery, and the sport, and a private yacht will get to you all of those things, no matter what your reason for coming to this tropical paradise.