Have you ever thought about going to Fiji for your next vacation? At first I was reluctant to consider it a safe option. There seemed to be numerous reports on the news speaking of political takeover. Through further research, I have learned that these takeovers really do not have an effect on tourist life there. As a matter of fact, the popular television series "Survivor" was recently filming in Fiji during a takeover. There were no interuptions to the show at that time.



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.

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.

I visited a small village in the heart of Fiji and was treated to an unforgettable story telling session by the village chief. He told me the story of two girls who were fishing in a stream and found a large stone that floated and jumped on the water like a fish. Instead of telling their father about this floating stone, they hid it and kept it a secret. Eventually the father found out and punished the girls for not having been honest with their father.

I thought that was the end of the story until I was asked whether I wanted to see the stone. Of course I was eager to do so, and soon it was brought out for me to admire. The stone was about the size of a bowling ball and was certainly far too heavy every to have floated on water.

The chief told me that, after the two girls had died, their stone was packed into a box and sent to a museum on Fiji. But before the box was unpacked, museum workers observed it to be behaving strangely. They heard noises coming from the box, as if the stone inside were bouncing around, trying to get out. They believed the stone was haunted, so it was returned to the village.

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.