The Fiji Museum provides visitor experiences of both the botanical and cultural histories of the island nation. Artifacts include war clubs, spears, ceremonial yaqona bowls and bulutokos, the forks chiefs used for eating flesh. For more information on the museum, click on Museum under tips on Suva.

Orchid Island Cultural Centre is just seven miles outside Suva. It is a life-size village complete with all the customs and rituals from the past. For more information on the cultural center, click Orchid Island Cultural Centre under tips on Suva.

Besides the tantalizing beaches and warm temperatures that encourage one to sit, relax and do nothing, Fiji has many highlights and activities worth exploring.

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant is open daily from 9 a.m. to sunset. Visitors, who arrive in taxis or minibuses, are greeted with papaya and fruit juice at the visitor center where a university botany student awaits to lead them around the grounds. It's a gradual uphill walk up a wide trail that ends at a rewarding lily pond. A short drive north of Nadi, many tour companies include it in their itineraries.

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant was established in 1977 when the late Raymond Burr, a resident of Fiji, opened his private collection of orchids to the public. Soon, other private collections were added, along with flowering tropical plants and trees. Eventually, a commercial garden was cultivated and today, flower sprays from the garden are exported to a number of international markets The gardens gained some fame when they were featured on a PBS segment of "Victory Gardens".

Parasailing, a thrilling activity, is offered at the following establishments. I went once. It was a scary and exhilarating experience and I'm glad I did it. What surprised me most is how quiet it was up there in the clouds.

Aqualand. F$55.00 per person for 10 minutes

Beachcomber Island Resort. F$50.00 for 6 minutes

Castaway Island Resort. F$50.00 per person for 5 - 7 minutes

Mana Island Resort. F$55.00 per person for 10 minutes

Plantation Island Resort. F$44.00 per person Round the Bay for about 6 minutes.

Treasure Island Resort. F$55.00 per person for 10 minutes

Guided Boating Tours are available through the following companies. I've never been on the rivers in Fiji so I can't comment on those excursions, however, we did rent a boat with operator to go snorkeling.

Rewa River Delta and Fijian Village Half Day Tour.
Cost: F$39.00 per person.
Contact: Wilderness (Fiji) Tours. Tel: 315730; Fax: 300584.

Namuamua River Trip. Contact: Mr Kositino Matakibau, Tel: (679) 460588.
Cost: F$55.00 per person includes lunch and return transfers from Suva.
F$45.00 per person includes lunch, departure from Navua's pier only.

Navua Village & River Cruise to Namuamua's Koro Makawa(Old Village).
Contact: Mr Sakiusa Naivalu. Tel: (679) 460641.
Cost: F$50.00 includes lunch and return transfers.

Rivers Fiji is Fiji's only whitewater river rafting outfitter, offering eco-friendly rafting, sea kayaking, and multi-activity adventures for all ages and abilities year round. The company has had 25 years experience.

For more information visit Rivers Fiji
PO Box 307, Pacific Harbour, Fiji Islands.
Tel: (679) 450147; Fax: (679) 450148.
Email Address riversfiji@connect.com.fj.

The Wainikoroiluva; Rafting the Upper Navua Gorge.
Adults (12 yrs and older): F$160.00 from Coral Coast/Pac Harbour/Suva.
From Nadi Area: F$175.00 per person.
Children 7 to 11 yrs of age with parent or guardian.
From Nadi Area: F$160.00
From Coral Coast/Pac Harbour/Suva: F$145.00.