Some people may be reluctant to travel to Fiji because of what they perceive may be political instability in this South Pacific island nation. True, the Fiji Islands seem to have a history of frequent government takeovers by the military. But these army takeovers are far less dramatic than the words suggest, and violence is rare.
A journalist who visited Fiji in the autumn of 2000, about a month after a military takeover had occurred, reported that life on the tropical island paradise appeared not only safe and calm but peaceful and idyllic. Much more recently, another military takeover happened in the winter of 2006, during which time the CBS television series “Survivor” was being filmed in Fiji. There were no interruptions in production of the TV show, which was completed on schedule and without incident.
Fiji is not just one island, but a group of more than 300 islands, and one of the primary industries that supports the economy of Fiji is tourism. All Fiji islanders realize that, without a constant supply of visiting tourists, from Europe and Australia as well as the USA, their economy would be in trouble. That is why, even when the government is toppled by the army, everything seems to be done in a polite, civilized manner so as not to disturb the tourists.
In addition to being a spectacular destination for adventure sports such as SCUBA and snorkel diving, fishing, mountain biking and boating, Fiji is also known as a popular place to have a romantic vacation. Many resorts go out of their way to hold spectacular wedding ceremonies, while most accommodations have facilities to accommodate honeymooners.
Lovers of nature can enjoy bird watching in Fiji’s several national parks and wildlife preserves. Many colorful species of parrots can be observed, as well as varieties of hawk, falcon, a rare dove, and the flying fox fruit bat.
Another less well known but equally fascinating aspect of visiting Fiji is the native culture. The people are some of the friendliest on earth, and are eager to share their colorful ceremonies as well as myths and legends with visitors who show an interest.
Fiji’s offshore islands are particularly rich with lore and legends. On one island a story is told about the sacred prawns that may be observed by the hundreds when the tide is high. It is said that anyone who eats one of these sacred prawns will become the victim of a shipwreck when they sail away from the island.
Such colorful native legends, along with exceedingly friendly people, immaculate sandy beaches and miles of clear blue ocean combine to make Fiji a highly recommended vacation destination.
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Here are some good tips about how to cope with jet lag.Â
By Donald SaundersDon’t let jet lag spoil that much needed holiday trip to paradise or stop you from closing that career enhancing deal you’ve been working on for months.Arriving full of excitement and anticipation is great, but finding that you can’t sleep at night, you’re tired during the day and you’ve got an upset stomach and a headache can do a lot more than just take the edge off your trip.
If you’re seeking ways of preventing jet lag, or looking for the perfect jet lag remedy, then here are seven tips to start you on your search.
Tip 1. Clear the decks before your departure.
A much overlooked aspect of jet lag is the part played by stress. Running around trying to do a 1001 last minute jobs in the week before you fly. Worrying about whether the house will be safe. Sitting up until midnight the night before your flight paying the household bills. Sound familiar?
Plan well in advance and make sure that you’ve taken care of everything at least three or four days before you go. Then take it easy, get lots of rest and set aside time specifically for relaxation.
Tip 2. Start adjusting your bedtime before you go.
In the two weeks before your trip start to gradually adjust your bedtime. If you’re flying east, bring your bedtime forward by ten or fifteen minutes each night so that, by the time you leave, you’re going to bed about two hours earlier than normal. This will ‘narrow the gap’ between the time at which your body wants to go to bed and the time that the clock says you should go to bed at your destination.
Similarly, if you’re traveling west, put your bedtime back by ten or fifteen minutes each day.
Tip 3. Reduce you caffeine intake.
Coffee, as well as other caffeinated drinks, both speeds up and slows down your internal body clock, depending upon the time of day that you consume it. When you’re settled into a regular pattern of sleep this doesn’t necessarily present too much of a problem, as the effects can tend to ‘balance out’. However, when your body clock finds itself at odds with local time the effects of caffeine can be quite marked and add considerably to the problems of jet lag.
Tip 4. Avoid Pills.
With the exception of any prescribed medication that you normally take, you should avoid sleeping pills, so-called ‘jet lag’ pills and over the counter medication for jet lag. Not only do these have little or no beneficial effect, many of them can actually add to your problems.
In particular, avoid the common temptation to take sleeping pills during your flight. They may well help you to get to sleep on the aircraft, but they will add to your problems when you arrive at your destination.
Tip 5. Dress comfortably for your flight.
Choose comfortable and loose fitting clothes to travel in and tuck a pair of slippers into your carry-on luggage to wear on board the aircraft. It’s nice to be able to get dressed up and go out once you reach your destination but nobody is going to expect you to get dressed up to the nines while you’re traveling.
Tip 6. Get out in the sunshine.
Once you reach your destination get out into daylight as much as possible during the first few days of your trip. Daylight sends powerful signals to your body clock and you’ll find that it adjusts far more quickly if it is exposed to the normal cycle of daylight and darkness at your destination. So take advantage of this and don’t hide yourself away indoors.
Tip 7. Take something special with you.
It can often be difficult settling in strange surroundings and, in particular, relaxing sufficiently to fall asleep. So, take one or two items of special significance with you, perhaps a family photograph or a favorite bedside ornament, to help give a little bit of the feel of home.
Copyright 2005 Donald Saunders - http://help-me-to-sleep.com
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About the author:
Donald Saunders is the author of a number of health related publications including “Jet Lag – A Natural Approachâ€.
Jet lag ruins many trips, but the solution is simpler than you might think.
Click here for more information on Jet Lag
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Here are some experienced tips about a travel vacation to the Caribbean.Â
By Stephanie HetuTip #1 : Buy a beach front Caribbean villa!
Buying Caribbean beach front property can range from a bargain to outrageous. This does not mean that the cheaper Caribbean beach front property is any less beautiful or luxurious than the more expensive ones, but rather means the location is different. For instance, Caribbean beach front property in the Bahamas is beautiful, over run with tourists, and incredibly expensive. However, Caribbean beach front property in the Dominican Republic is just as beautiful, has less tourists, and a considerably more affordable price tag.Tip #2 : Rent a villa for your trip!
If you are not into real estate investment, why not rent a villa instead? Often, the price will not be a lot more expensive then an all inclusive package in a crowded hotel. And instead of having to eat buffet food for a week, you can cook your own meal, or even have someone do it for you!
Tip #3 : Rent a Caribbean island!
Did you know you can rent a whole island just for yourself? This can come with staff and everything you need to spend a luxurious vacation. It is also a very nice idea for a wedding!
Tip #4 : Charter a luxury Yacht!
If you are looking for something a little less extravagant then the huge private Yachts, and a lot more affordable then there are a variety of luxury yacht charters Caribbean providers that will also be able to meet your needs and your budget. The wonderful thing about he Caribbean is no matter what your budget, preferences, and schedule there is someone who will be able to provide exactly what you are looking for.
Tip #5 : Contact a Caribbean holiday specialist
Certainly, you can get online and start searching and learn everything there is to do in the Caribbean, however it is certainly a lot easier to simply employ Caribbean holiday specialists to help you plan your vacation. Not only will this save you time, but it will also save you money because more often than not Caribbean holiday specialists are aware of different discounts and preferred rates. They have insight and knowledge and many years experience booking Caribbean vacations, where you will have to do some serious work and effort to plan the vacation yourself.
About the author:
Luxury Caribbean Vacation offers information about luxury services available in the Caribbean : villa rental, Caribbean real estate, yacht and sailboat rental and private aircraft charter. If you want the services of a REAL, knowledgeable travel agent, this is the pace to go!
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Canada is a great country to travel in. Here are some great tips.Â
By Johnny MangianteSo, you’ve planned your trip to Canada. Your flight is booked, hotel reservations are made and your itinerary is set. But before you get too excited about riding to the top of the CN Tower, you should take care of a few other important details.A) Prepare yourself for Canada’s entry requirements. Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Do I need a visa to travel to Canada?
While some travellers require a visa to travel to Canada, many do not. Persons lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence who have a Green card or can provide other evidence of permanent residence, British citizens and British Overseas Citizens who can be readmitted to the United Kingdom, persons holding a valid and subsisting Special Administrative Region passport issued by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, as well as other particular individuals, do not require a visa to enter Canada. For a complete list, visit the Government of Canada web site.
2. What type of identification will I need to present to Canada customs?
Canada’s entry requirements entail that every visitor from out of the country needs a valid passport. However, your birth certificate or certificate of citizenship, and a valid photo identification such as a drivers licence will also be accepted. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., don’t forget to bring your green card.
Also, if you are travelling with children, the customs officers may ask detailed questions about them. Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. If you are travelling with a child who is not your own, you need a note from the guardians granting you permission to have the child with you.
3. Do I need a medical exam for travel to Canada?
A medical examination is required if you have resided for six or more consecutive months in a designated “red flagged†country/territory in the one year prior to your travel to Canada. Some of these countries include: Afghanistan, Bahamas, Armenia, Brazil, Cambodia, Ethiopa, Guam, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, and Mexico. A complete list of “red-flagged†countries can be found on the Government of Canada web site.
B) Get acquainted with the laws regarding Canada’s customs regulations. Here is a brief list of some items you are prohibited to bring into the country:
- firearms and/or offensive weapons
- drugs
- certain fruits and/or plants that could contain harmful pests and diseases
- meat
What about alcohol and tobacco?
As long as you meet the age requirements set by the province or territory you are visiting, you can bring up to 40 ounces of liquor, 52 ounces of wine, or 24 containers of beer. You can also bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or cigarillos, 200 tobacco sticks, and 200 grams of manufactured tobacco.
How much money can I bring to Canada?
You can bring as much money as you like; however, you must report all imports and exports of currency and monetary instruments equal to or greater than $10,000 CAN.
For more details concerning customs regulations, call (204) 983-3500 or (506) 636-5064 or visit the Canadian Government’s customs and borders site.
Once the details of your travel to Canada have been sorted out, you can relax. Arrive into Canada and have fun! Skate on the Rideau Canal, stroll through old Montreal, or ski down Whistler’s mountain. Either way, you will surely enjoy your stay!
About the author:
Johnny Mangiante is an online journalist . He is also the editor and webmaster for many websites. For more information on Travel Medical Insurance for Visitors to Canada see his website http://www.visitorstocanada.com/.
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Have you ever used the Wal Mart parking lot while traveling in your RV? Many have.Â
By Steve Gillman
“Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?” We didn’t know, but the old man at the campground in Florida insisted WalMart not only allowed RVs and vans to park overnight, but encouraged it. “Free camping,” he told us, and we didn’t wait long to take advantage of this new knowledge.
Somewhere in northern Georgia we pulled into a Wal-Mart, and sure enough, we saw some RVs off to one side of the parking lot, looking like they were there for the night. We were heading back to Michigan in our conversion van, and free camping sounded good to us. We parked, plugged in our 5-inch T.V., and settled in for the night. Nobody bothered us. In the morning we used the bathrooms inside, and bought some orange juice.
The next night we camped for free again, this time at a “Flying J” truckstop. There were RVs camping there as well. You’ll find Flying J Truckstops all over, and they actively court the RV crowd, counting on gas and other sales. We filled our tank there in the morning, and bought some food as well. As long as campers stay out of the way of the truckers, free camping is likely to continue.
Other Free Camping Places
Generally, you can camp free on any BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, unless it’s specifically forbidden in an area. This is also true of National Forest lands. In both cases you’re limited to a stay of two weeks in one place, though this rule is not always enforced, and the next two-week place might have to be only a hundred yards away. State forest lands are usually open to free camping without permits, but policies vary by state (The two-week rule seems to be common).
We camped in our van for ten days at Williams Landing, east of Tallahassee, Florida, on Lake Talquin. It’s a beautiful place, with hot showers. Our cost? Zero, and you can stay up to two weeks. There are free campgrounds scattered around the country. Ask an RVer about this, or buy a Woodall’s directory from any large RV dealer.
Note: Wal-mart seems to encourage the campers, except in coastal areas where too many RVer’s want to live in a parking lot. Don’t roll out the carpet and put out lawn furniture like one traveler we heard about, or you may ruin it for all. Some stay for a week at a time, going out all day to see the sights (and so they don’t wear out their welcome). Wal-mart gets business from the campers, but they’ll only continue their policy if they don’t have problems, so keep it low-key.
To find a Wal-Mart in the area you’re traveling to, visit Walmart.com. Scroll down to the “store finder” link to search. Thank you for camping at Wal-Mart!
About the author:
Steve Gillman hit the road at sixteen, and traveled the U.S. and Mexico alone at 17. Now 40, he travels with his wife Ana, whom he met in Ecuador. To read their stories, tips and travel information, visit: http://www.EverythingAboutTravel.com
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