I first want to say this was my first trip to Fiji. I have been selling it
as a destination quite successfully (prior to the @#$%&*# coup!), and had
done quite a lot of research, but had not yet had the opportunity to visit .

Let me tell you, Fiji did not only meet every single one of my expectations,
it EXCEEDED them by far!

The islands are idyllic...lush and green, lovely mountains and beaches, and
flowers everywhere.
The diving at least equaled any diving I have done elsewhere, and in many
places, was absolutely brilliant!!
But what truly sets Fiji apart are the people. I have never met people more
warm, welcoming or friendly. When a Fijian smiles, laughs, or sings, it is
obviously from their heart. Everywhere you go, you are greeted with a warm
'Bula', a wave and a smile, with perhaps the one exception being the area
between Suva and Nadi. People still wave and smile as you pass on the
street, even when driving by...it is wonderful and refreshing. I believe
the reception is not as warm in that one area on Viti Levu because of what
these poor people have been through with this internal strife.
Which brings me to my reason for this post...I did not see a single effect
from the coup on anyone but the native Fijians anywhere that I went in Fiji
on this trip. We went all through Suva, right past the parliament building,
etc. The 'police blockades' consisted of a couple of smiling Fijians
leaning sometimes on a rifle, but usually not, waving, smiling and saying
Bula as you pass. And the 'blockades' were only in a very few areas right
outside the main cities on Viti Levu. On Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and any of
the smaller islands we visited, there was no visible sign of the 'political
strife' ANYWHERE!
Especially for we Americans, coming from a country where hundreds die in our
cities every single day, this continued travel advisory is nonsense.
Violence and dishonesty simply are not a part of the culture. I think we
should do what we can to help these people in healing their internal strife,
not punish them by removing one of their major forms of sustenance..tourism.
I can not WAIT to return to this magical place.
Just had to put my .02 in...

--
Patti Flemming
Tierra Mar Travel
2245 West Broadway
Mesa, AZ 85202
www.tierramardivetravel.com
After diving, the rest is surface interval....



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