Japan & Fiji Experience

How many people do you know that would travel round the world in 9 days? Yes, that’s right, a travel counsellor. This February I travelled to Tokyo and Fiji and would like to share my experience with you.

Firstly I flew Business Class with British Airways to Tokyo .This is an 11 hour flight, so the flat beds were very welcome. I only had 2 days in Tokyo, so hardly managed to scratch the surface of this bustling city. The experience has left me wanting to go back to explore more. Tokyo used to be a very expensive city but it is now very good value for food and drink. As an alternative stopover destination, Tokyo certainly fits the bill.

My second part of the trip was Fiji and the islands. Here you will hear “Bula” spoken everywhere. It is a word that has many meanings from hello, how are you to goodbye. It is always accompanied by a beaming smile.

We sailed to Castaway Island, and boy did it live up to its name. We were greeted on the beach by the staff singing a welcome song to us, and “checked in” sat on the verandah sipping a cold drink from a coconut shell! Pure bliss. This is very much a no shoes kind of island and they try to get you to mingle with all the other guests as it is only a small property. However if you want to have a romantic getaway then you will be left alone. The beach bungalows are all detached and it was so wonderful to sit on your own little patio before walking 20 paces or so to the waters edge. That was as much exercise as I got! We then took a speedboat transfer to the next island, Tokiriki and again had a wonderful welcome from the staff. Everyone seems to want you to enjoy your stay no matter how short. We were very lucky to see a young Australian couple get married here and what a perfect setting. That evening they had a table at the waters edge with candles and champagne. Very romantic.

Liku Liku was the next port of call and this is quite a different from the previous islands. It is more upmarket and is the first Fijian island to have over water bungalows ( like the ones in the Maldives).The feel is very much more sophisticated, but still extremely friendly. The standard of accommodation was far superior to the other 2 islands, but this was reflected in the cost. Ideally, if you could, it would be ideal to visit more than one island to get the full flavour of Fiji. This is a lovely part of the world to visit and if you regularly visit Australia or New Zealand it would make a perfect stopover destination.