Fiji is beautiful. It has a pleasant tropical climate, the diving and snorkelling are superb and it has excellent facilities for tourists. Fiji comprises 322 islands. The two largest are the extinct volcanoes of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.

Nadi, Fiji's third-biggest town, is set against a mountainous backdrop on the west coast of Viti Levu. The local economy of Nadi relies almost totally on tourism, and although it's not the most attractive part of the country it is a good place to organise your travels around the Viti Levu island.

Fiji caters for most outdoorsy activities, but some visitors prefer to be inert on a beach and practise hand-to-mouth skills with a tropical cocktail. Tourists can pay to see fire walking ceremonies. Most social activity occurs in private clubs. Visitors can obtain temporary membership.

If you stick to backpacker beds, eat cheaply (and include some self-catering), do some hitch-hiking and plan your inter-island travel well you'll get by on around US$30-40 a day or less. You won't be expected to leave a tip when paying for goods or services, and, as in most South Pacific cultures, bargaining is not considered polite.

Following an unsuccessful coup in mid-2000, lawlessness and civil disturbance are a possibility in Fiji. It is possible to travel safely, however some areas remain under night curfew.

Tentative plan (1 week): [fly from Raratonga in Cook Islands] stay in Nadi, exploring Viti Levu [fly to Port Vila in Vanuatu]