Flight to Fiji
Coming west from Canada and Europe, you'll stop in Los Angeles, and some flights out of Los Angeles and Canada stop in Honolulu. Air Pacific has four non-stops and Air New Zealand has one out of Los Angeles. Flight time from LA to Fiji is 10 hrs, Auckland to Fiji 3hrs, Sydney to Fiji 3hrs 50min.

Health
The 1989 census counted 727,104 people as citizens of Fiji, with a life expectancy of 63 years. Heart disease, cancer and accidents take a toll comparable to that in the developed nations. There is no malaria or cholera in Fiji. The most common illnesses are influenza, dengue fever and a low-grade staph infection. The drinking water is safe in all cities. Hospitals are located in the major centres and there are health centres in rural areas. Hotels and resorts have a qualified nurse on the premises and a doctor on call.

Clothing
Dress for locals and visitors is cool, casual and modest. Forego neckties for open-necked cotton shirts and long trousers. Women should not burden themselves with high fashion. It would be lost on the locals and out of place among savvy visitors who leave all that behind. Cotton dresses, t-shirts, slacks, bermudas (but not short shorts), swim suits, sandals and jellies for the surf are all that's required. Everyone should set aside approximately $25 for a week's resort wear. That will purchase three "sulus", a wondrously comfortable unisex wrap - suitable as a bathrobe or as black-tie.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, shops and by car rental agencies and tour operators. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Master Card and JCB are represented in Suva. American Express and VISA can replace lost credit cards and travellers cheques.

Electricity
240 volts, 50 cycles. Fiji has three pin power outlets identical to Australia and New Zealand . Leading hotels and resorts offer universal outlets for 240v or 110v shavers, hair dryers, etc.

Fiji Holidays
These include Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. In addition there are the birthdays of the Queen and Mohammed, (Prince Charles' birthday has been cancelled in Fiji) plus Fiji Day (October 10th), Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and Constitution Day. Ratu Sakuna Day is not a national holiday, but don't tell that to the Fijians who still honour their George Washington with affection and enthusiasm.

Shopping
Fiji has developed as major duty-free shopping center. Electrical and sports equipment/appliances, jewelry and porcelain, cameras, perfumes and cosmetics are just some of the products available at greatly reduced prices, though urban Americans may find their local discount stores competitive.

Sports
Rugby, soccer and cricket are Fiji's main team sports. There are first-class facilities for golf and tennis including John Newcombe's South Pacific Tennis Ranch. Visitor sports, most of which emanate from hotels or resorts, range from scuba diving and snorkeling to horseriding, windsurfing, water-skiing, sport-fishing and sailing.

Entertainment
Hotels and resorts provide nightly entertainment for visitors, usually cabaret. Visitors can attend Fijian entertainment such as a lovo feast or a meke, a demonstration of traditional songs and dances, or a dramatic fire-walking display. These activities usually follow the requisite "yaqona" ceremony.

Telephone FINTEL
(Fiji International Telecommunications LTD.) connects Fiji via satellite with a worldwide system; AT&T provides direct dial, telex, data and facsimile circuits. A call from Suva to North America is $7.80 for the first three minutes, $2.70 per-minute thereafter. (Hotels surcharge.) Please note that these rates are to be used as a guideline only and are not guaranteed. Ask before you call.

Postal Services
From a Viti Levu resort or post office, it will usually reach North American within three days. Thereafter, it is in the hands of the Gods. Do visit Fiji's Post Offices for lovely displays of local and regional stamps. Post Fiji 's core business activity is delivery of letters and parcels both domestic and internationally. Products and Services offered include: Sending and receiving letters and parcels, EMS Courier Post, Money Orders, Locksmith, Faxes

Internet Services
Most hotels and resorts are equipped with Internet services as well as other private Internet cafes, which can be readily found in most towns and cities. Dial-up connection is common in Fiji but the use of high speed Broadband has increased. I-Surf Prepaid Internet Kiosks are now available around the Nadi International Airport and users can purchase prepaid internet access cards from selected outlets around the airport complex.

Mobile Phone Services
If you have arranged roaming with your service provider before leaving home, Vodafone will give you an excellent coverage in most locations in Fiji. If you have roaming and want to call within Fiji just dial the local number. To call internationally, dial 00, country code, area code & telephone number. Voicemails can still be retrieved while you are here in Fiji. You don't have to worry about those calls that you have missed.