string(3049) "The fourth largest and the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, Kaua’i is about 888 kilometres square in area, formed from one massive volcano of which Mt Waialeale forms the eastern rim. The main road circles the coastline with the exception of a 24-kilometre stretch at the north shore cliffs which is inaccessible. When Captain Cook came ashore in January 1778 he was received as a god. Today, visitors to this beautiful island of gardens and rainbows are greeted in much the same friendly way. Lihue, the capital of Kaua’i, still has few buildings taller than a coconut tree. Yet the island offers visitors all the ingredients for a perfect holiday including luxury accommodation, gourmet cuisine, a host of watersports and activities including world-class golf. Po`ipu, a leisurely 30 minutes by car south of Lihue, has been called Kauai’s playground, with its pristine beaches protected by a necklace of offshore reefs. Just one kilometre from the resort area is sailing, diving, deep sea fishing and daily boat tours from Kukuiula Harbour. At nearby Spouting Horn, a turbulent wave action causes surf to shoot through a lava tube and out a hole in the coastal rock. This geyser sometimes reaches heights of 18 metres and more. On the west side of Kaua’i you’ll find what Mark Twain called the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’, Waimea Canyon, 1097 metres deep in parts, with red and green vistas punctuated by waterfalls. North from Lihue you can stop off to take a ride on one of the flat-bottom river boats that takes you to the Fern Grotto. Further north past the Coconut Coast you pass by the turnoff to The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge which shelters thousands of seabirds. Near Princeville and Hanalei, made famous by the song Puff the Magic Dragon, is Ke`e Beach. Close by are the wet and dry caves, prominent in ancient Hawai’ian myth and the start of the 17 kilometres Kalalau hiking trail. Further south is Lumahai Beach the famous nurse’s beach in the movie South Pacific. On the island’s north shore the scenery runs riot, grey mists hang over the sheer Napali cliffs, waterfalls tumble into deep valleys. Much of this region and the island’s interior cannot be reached by road, so a helicopter or fixed wing plane tour can give you a perspective otherwise unobtainable. Kaua’i is called the Garden Island with good reason. The National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Lawai Valley and the Allerton Estate Gardens, as well as the Limahuli Gardens in the north, are among the major attractions that showcase nature at her best. Kaua’i’s diverse scenery has lured filmmakers to her shores for decades and such classics as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark and of course, South Pacific mean visitors can occasionally experience déjà vu. Also Kaua’i is very popular with practitioners of the healing arts giving it the reputation of being a special place for those seeking rejuvenation and relaxation combined with a taste of traditional local culture. "

string(2093) "Situated on Viti Levu, the largest of the 333 Fijian islands, Denarau Island is located across a tiny causeway separating the island from the Nadi end of the mainland. This major tourism complex is a 20-minute drive from Nadi International Airport and includes The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa, Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas, Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Radisson Blu Resort Fiji, Club Wyndham Denarau Island, Golf Terraces, The Palms Denarau, an 18-hole championship golf course, a golf and racquet club, waterpark and a private-berth marina. The resorts boast ocean frontage, and the Bula Bus island shuttle runs frequent transfers between the resorts and Port Denarau, while golf carts whiz guests around and between the resorts. Apart from offering a sophisticated hotel and residential experience, Port Denarau, with its shops and growing marina, has become a major marine transit hub for Fijian tourism. With many of the smaller islands in the archipelago primarily accessible by boat, it is now the main transfer point for the resorts off the coast of Nadi in the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands. Port Denarau is the principal departure point for vessels. Departing from the port are water taxis, chartered yachts and catamarans, island day cruises, multi-day island-hopping cruises and brigantines offering sunset dinner cruises. Sport is big on Denarau with the Denarau Golf and Racquet Club offering a spectacular 18-hole championship golf course. The course has been designed around the island’s extensive waterways. An impressive clubhouse comprising a pro shop and restaurant that overlooks the 9th, 10th and 18th holes. A driving range and adjacent tennis courts extend the club’s facilities. There is a yacht club and development is continuing on Denarau with other major up-market hotels under construction. Port Denarau is a commercial and retail centre, food and beverage outlets, and cultural attractions, making Denarau one of the leading integrated tourism destinations in the South Pacific. "

string(2552) "Suva is the capital of Fiji and is a beautiful harbour city built on a peninsula reaching out into the sea. The city is perched on a hilly peninsula between Laucala Bay and Suva Harbour in the southeast corner of Viti Levu. The mountains north and west catch the southeast trade winds, producing moist conditions year-round. An exciting multi-racial city, the Fijian capital was moved from Levuka to Suva in 1882 for its large, protected deepwater harbour and extensive space to grow. Much of its past still survives, for there are many small, quaint wooden bungalows and colonial administrative buildings that sit in juxtaposition to the modern offices and shopping plazas. On Sundays it’s well worth attending church to hear the choral singing that is magnificent. Most churches have services in English, but none compare with the Fijian service at Centenary Methodist Church on Stewart Street. A vital centre, Suva offers a great selection of restaurants including Chinese, Indian, traditional Fijian and European cuisine. It’s also worth visiting the Thurston Gardens next to Government House, the official residence of the president of the Republic of Fiji. Within Thurston Gardens, the Fiji Museum - recognised as one of the best of its type in the South Pacific - holds a remarkable collection of archaeological material dating back 3,700 years and cultural objects representing both Fiji’s indigenous inhabitants and the other communities that have settled in the island group over the past 200 years. Not to be missed is the sprawling complex of municipal food and handicraft markets near the Kings Wharf that comes to life on Fridays and Saturdays. Here you’ll find an assortment of artefacts and handicrafts for sale, made by Fijians throughout the Island group. The city is home to a large stadium that hosts top level rugby games and the University of the South Pacific campus – a tertiary educational hub for the Pacific. Suva is best known for shopping, restaurants and nightlife at reasonable local prices compared to some of the tourism centric regions. It is an economic, educational and regional hub for UN agencies and embassies as well as the seat of the Fijian government. For those who like history, there’s Albert Park where Charles Kingsford-Smith landed his plane Southern Cross on his trans-Pacific flight in 1928. Across the road from the Park is the Grand Pacific Hotel, one of Fiji’s oldest hotels, that has hosted various members of the British Royal Family in the past. "

string(1379) "Chuuk Atoll, located in the Caroline Islands, has one of the largest lagoons in the world. Beneath the blue waters of the lagoon, encrusted with coral, are more than 60 sunken ships from the Japanese WWII fleet. Lashed to the decks of freighters are the rusty remains of fighter planes and trucks. The lagoon has been declared a monument, with the salvage and taking of relics prohibited by law. Divers must obtain a permit before diving around the ships. One of the top two scuba diving locations in the world, Chuuk’s water temperatures are 29ºC and incredibly calm between December and May. The average temperature above water is 30ºC. The main island of Weno is the capital and commercial centre, and Chuuk’s State Centre is where visitors can experience a taste of island life by visiting the local stores jammed with everything from kerosene stoves to ladies’ wear and handicrafts. For an outstanding view of Weno and the lagoon, climb into the old lighthouse built during the Japanese occupation, and visit the Blue Lagoon Resort for a stroll in the coconut palm grounds with splendid views across the water to Dublon Island, formerly the Japanese military headquarters. American dollars are used while travellers cheques and currency can be changed at banks and at some hotels. When visiting traditional areas, respect local customs. "

string(3312) "A pretty raised atoll with a surrounding reef which is exposed at low tide, the Republic of Nauru is 19.3 kilometres in circumference and has a land area of 21 square kilometres. Most of the 10,000 population live on the narrow coastal belt. A small isolated Central Pacific island, it lies some 42 kilometres south of the equator and is readily accessible by regular services on the island’s national carrier, Nauru Airlines, from major Pacific ports including Brisbane and Nadi. The mining of phosphate has been the mainstay of the island’s economy since the 1900s, providing the locals with a steady source of income. Phosphate reserves are expected to be exhausted in the next few years. The people The Indigenous people of Nauru are believed to be of mixed Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian descent, with predominantly Micro/Polynesian characteristics. Their native language is Nauruan, though English is used for government and commercial purposes. History Nauru existed as an independent island society until it was annexed by Germany in 1888 and became part of the Marshall Islands protectorate. In 1900 a British company discovered phosphate on the island and negotiated with Germany for mining rights. In November 1914 Nauru was seized by Australian troops and remained in British control until 1920. In 1920, when the German colonies were distributed, a League of Nations Mandate was granted to Australia, New Zealand and Great Britain. In 1947 the island was placed under United Nations Trusteeship and Australia resumed administration on behalf of the three partner governments. Nauru became an independent republic on 31 January 1968. Nature Native seabirds are plentiful. Vegetation includes pandanus, coconuts, Indigenous hardwood tomano trees, and frangipani. The climate is tropical with temperatures ranging between 24.4°C and 33.9°C, kept temperate by the sea breezes. The sights Nauru is made up of a raised central plateau surrounded by a fertile coastal fringe. The plateau, known as ‘topside’ is the site of mining and is, for the most part, made up of limestone pinnacles, a truly unique landscape. Where to stay There are two hotels on Nauru, the Menen Hotel and the Od-N-Aiwo Hotel, the tallest building in Nauru and run as a family business. Getting around Self-drive cars are available for a daily charge, plus a charge per kilometre. Both hotels operate a courtesy airport service. Food and entertainment Traditional feasts are popular. The Menen Hotel’s restaurant serves mainly western style food. The Bay Restaurant in Anibare Bay is a popular venue serving euro-Asian cuisine and popular with tourists and locals alike. Activities Nauruans play a number of sports, including weight-lifting and Australian rules football. Fishing, scuba diving, and snorkelling are popular. Deep-sea fishing is also available, and inquiries can be made to Capelle & Partner. Inquiries about tours of the mine area can be made at the Menen Hotel and through the Nauru Tourism office at the Civic Centre in Aiwo. Shopping guide Menen Hotel Boutique has gifts and books. Other stores sell a variety of food and goods. The Nauru Philatelic Bureau offers a range of sought-after philatelic issues of Nauru. "

string(3580) "The Coral Coast is 80 kilometres of fringing reefs and beaches on the sheltered southern side of Viti Levu about halfway between Nadi and Suva. The region is named for its stretch of fringing coral reef that hugs this coastline making it an excellent place to snorkel off the beach. The temperate climate and great variety of accommodation—from self- contained ‘bure’ cottages to international five-star resorts— make it a popular tourist retreat. The resorts offer great recreational facilities, restaurants and cultural performances while the pristine waters and reefs create an underwater paradise for snorkelling and diving. You can throw in a line with the locals or take out a charter vessel for game fishing. There are great places to surf at Fiji Beachouse, Hideaway Resort and Natadola beach – the latter of which is arguably the best beach on the island and a great place to learn to surf. Also at Natadola is the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course. For those wanting to take in some nature, history and culture, visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes national park where shifting sands and archaeological digs continue to reveal skeletons and pottery artefacts. Fiji’s only wildlife park, the Kula Wild Adventure Park in Korotogo displays rarely seen indigenous species such as the banded iguana and Fiji peregrine falcon. Head for the hills into the beautiful Sigatoka Valley, aptly named The Salad Bowl of Fiji, a colourful patchwork of agricultural fields, Fijian villages, Indian settlements, temples and volcanic hills. It offers spectacular scenery and a fascinating history of the Tongan tribes who were the last to resist Christianity. Sigatoka River Safari jetboat and cave tours into the valley villages are very popular. At Tavuni Hillfort near Sigatoka Town you can walk amongst the ruins of an ancient hill fort built during a period of tribal warfare. Sigatoka River Safari’s cave tour takes you inland to Naihehe Caves to see the spectacular rock formations and remnants of where people took shelter in the past. There is also a waterfall tour at Biausevu Village where you can learn about plant medicines on a rainforest trek, participate in a welcoming kava ceremony with a village chief and swim in a beautiful tropical waterfall. Robinson Crusoe Island near Natadola is fringed with white sandy beaches and offers great snorkelling and Pacific Island entertainment. In the bustling town of Sigatoka, locals and tourists blend when eating, shopping and socialising. Farmers barter their wares in the central marketplace and there are duty free shops, supermarkets, tailors, bars and cafes. There are quaint roadside markets right along the Coral Coast stretch, so even those just driving through will be able to enjoy this lovely area. PACIFIC HARBOUR & BEQA LAGOON This region, around 30 kilometres west of Suva, is distinct from the Coral Coast and renowned for its adventure type activities. Thus renowned as the Adventure Capital, this region is famous for activities such as the world-class shark dive at Shark Reef, great scuba diving in the Beqa lagoon, zip-lining, off-road buggy rides, white-water rafting in the Upper Navua Gorge, river tubing and world-class surf at the Frigates offshore surf break. Pacific Harbour was originally established in the 1970s as a recreation oriented, residential community as well as a resort area. Not too far from Pacific Harbour is the legendary Beqa Island, home of the Fijian firewalkers who perform their ceremonies at several major Fijian hotels and resorts. "