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Map of Fiji |
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Michael and Paul got the idea to go to Fiji for New Year's, and escape all of the Y2K hooplah that was going to be happening in the States. One thing led to another, and the next thing you know, there is a group of 35 of us heading off to spend Christmas and New Year's in the tropics.
Fiji is an independent nation made up of 332 islands (only about 100 are inhabited), located approximately 1800 miles east of Northern Australia, and 1300 miles north of New Zealand. It straddles the 180th Meridian, but the International Dateline swerves around to keep the entire country in the same time zone. The total population of Fiji is about 775,000 - 50% of which are Fijian, 45% Indian, and 5% expatriates and others; the largest cities are Suva (the capital), Lautoka, and Nadi with approximately 160,000, 60,000 and 40,000 people respectively.
Fiji is a true idyllic island paradise. Just about anywhere you look could be a scene from a postcard. The water is warm and wonderful, and the land is lush and GREEN. Landscapes vary from island to island, and also within some islands. You'll find everything from expanses of white beaches and sand dunes to flat sugar cane fields to hilly rainforest to craggy mountains, dense jungle, and pine forests.
Oh yeah, and the water *does* swirl the opposite direction down the drain in the Southern Hemisphere!
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