Author Notes

When I first arrived in Fiji in 1979 I was immediately smitten. My rapport with the locals was instant and, as it turned out, lasting. Fiji got to me in a visceral way that tugged at my heart. The locals are bright, generous to a fault, charming, and earthy. They talk about and observe human behavior in detail that westerners fail to see. I may rhapsodize but I won't romanticize. Fijians are far from perfect and have their social ills and blind spots like any other people. Though in many ways they are conservative, as one would expect of a traditional society, at the same time they are tolerant and interested in what visitors have to share. They are also intellectually curious, a quality you won't readily see in Polynesia.

Since my initial visit to the islands, I've returned like clockwork to Fiji every year. When I visit I try to see everything-- restaurants, campgrounds, hiking trails, and hotels of every stripe. My bias is toward the properties that offer something special to the visitor, whether they are local guest houses or exclusive `boutique' resorts. In short, I won't steer a traveller towards the humdrum or the mediocre. To get my kudos, a property has to be special before I start raving.

If you have traveled recently to Fiji or have comments on my web site I'd love to hear from you . If after visiting Fiji you agree with my take on things let me know. If you believe I've made a mistake or an erroneous call, I'd like to know that as well.

You can reach me at rkay@fijiguide.com. Vinaka to photographer Paddy Ryan for his world class nature shots. It would be remiss of me not to thank Dan and Mika Leuck who masterminded the newest incarnation of Fijiguide.com while providing countless photos and videos.