Fiji Islands : South Pacific Archipelago Island Hopping in the South Pacific

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style=""> If you're an avid diver, this resort is the perfect choice. The reef and resort's lagoon have been declared Marine Park Sanctuaries. There is no fishing or fish feeding of any kind. There's also a no-boat anchor and a "no touch, no take" policy. This has all insured and protected the over 1,200 different species of fish and coral gardens that are flourishing here. Other complimentary activities include tennis, kayaking, sailing, hiking, snorkeling, windsurfing and table tennis.

Dining is a casual affair. The menu is Pacific Rim influenced with a blend of European, Asian and local cuisine. The emphasis is on seafood and the freshest local selections. I had a mixed seafood and vegetable stir-fry. The chef cooked this quickly in front of me. It was delicious and healthy. Dessert was a beautiful birthday cake surprise, which was extremely thoughtful of our host.

Because of the tides and currents, sometimes seaweed can build up and start to decay along the narrow beach. This can cause an unpleasant odor. When the winds shift, it usually dissipates. The recent tropical storms that hit Fiji have most likely helped alleviate this situation altogether.

There is a charming chapel on the property. It's the perfect venue for any type of wedding. The resort has a coordinator on staff who can help with all the details and planning. Rates start $734 for a Deluxe Beach Bure and a Sunset Pool Vila is $978 per night. Tokoriki Island Resort, P.O. Box 10547 Nadi Airport, Fiji Islands, Tel: 679-672-5926. For reservations, email: reservations@tokoriki.com.

ISLAND HOPPERS
After breakfast we were off to the Mani Island Resort via Island Hoppers. The chopper came in over the palm tress and touched down, light as a feather. The pilot did a hot turnaround and we boarded the aircraft with its turbine engine running and the blades rotating.

The best two seats for viewing are up front, next to the pilot. Don't forget to put your headset on so you'll be able to talk to the pilot and other people in your party while in flight. The pilot pulled up and twisted the collective to the right. Slowly, we climbed to the top of the palm trees. I felt as free as a bird. It's breathtaking to see the coral reefs from the air as you're whizzing by, so high above. The chopper reaches a cruising speed of 140kts. It took just15 minutes to touch down at Mana. This short hop saved us three hours traveling time. The cost per person is $273 Fijian dollars. The baggage limit per person is 15kg or 33lbs. There is a minimum of two persons required to confirm a booking. Island Hoppers, PO Box 11364, Nadi Airport, Fiji Islands, Tel: 679-6720-410.

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