Good reason to consider visiting Fiji

[JeffH]

I have just received an email from Fiji Airways offering very cheap fares for first part of next year when they start servicing Sydney/Nadi flights with their new Airbus A350 XWB.
If you are within reach of Sydney airport the special price is a deadset bargain. Normally cheapest fare, booked and paid well in advance, is $550 to $600 return.
Email me if you would like me to forward a copy of the email. Note that the special fare is not available every day of the week so you would need to be a little flexible on exact dates.
Also, if anyone is considering visiting Fiji (anytime) for the first time I am happy to give out gratuitous advice about places to stay, transport etc. Have been a regular visitor since 1976 and do consider myself an "old hand".
Following is an extract from the email, giving the gist of the offer, and a sample copy of a booking.
[Have to split this post because it is "too long".

[JeffH]

Celebrate the launch of our A350 XWB flights from Sydney to Fiji with savings of up to 82%.
Sale Starts : 06 June, 2019
 Sale Ends  : 08 June, 2019 - unless sold out prior
 
 Travel Dates    : 01 January 2020 - 15 May 2020
Flight Number  : FJ910 & FJ911
Australia to Fiji (Adult return economy fares)       Sydney   to   Nadi direct                    From $350

[JeffH]

[Triggersmob]

That is a good price.
Shame I haven't any plans to travel at this stage.

[JeffH]

The problem you have Steve is the distance between Perth and Sydney is more than Sydney to Fiji. Cheapest Perth/Sydney return airfare for the period of the Fiji flights sale is $370, effectively doubling your cost compared to someone flying from Sydney.
Perth to Bali would look a much better prospect, for cost, I think.

[Basil]

I think damage control is a reason as well,hasn't been widely publicised here but big News in the States with lots of Fiji cancellations apparently.

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/thread/3qlyn649

https://abcnews.go.com/International/stuck-nightmare-relative-us-couple-mysteriously-died-fiji/story?id=63502567

[JeffH]

Could not open the Whirlpool Forum link (not registered) but assume it might also refer to the American couple's mystery death.
Don't think an offer for cheap fares from Sydney only, next year, pay now and only two days to book would be be a damage control issue.
As you say very little publicity here but plenty in the USA (Fiji too naturally).

I think part of their marketing strategy as they have had many, similar special fare offers in the last few months. Fiji Airways has made record profits the last few years and 2018 staff bonus was FJD$4,400 to all non management staff -that's about AUD$3,100 even for the office cleaner. Big money in a Country where the minimum pay rate is just FJD$2.32/hour (not a typo).

A little bit of trivia. Qantas owns 46.32% of Fiji Airways; second largest shareholder after Fiji Government (51%).

[Triggersmob]

Perth to Bali would look a much better prospect, for cost, I think.

True, and I think that is why so many people from here go to Bali.
I have been there once, and couldn't get off the ship when I went
there the second time, due to illness. I prefer Fiji for sure.

[Basil]

Could not open the Whirlpool Forum link (not registered) but assume it might also refer to the American couple's mystery death.
Don't think an offer for cheap fares from Sydney only, next year, pay now and only two days to book would be be a damage control issue.
As you say very little publicity here but plenty in the USA (Fiji too naturally).

I think part of their marketing strategy as they have had many, similar special fare offers in the last few months. Fiji Airways has made record profits the last few years and 2018 staff bonus was FJD$4,400 to all non management staff -that's about AUD$3,100 even for the office cleaner. Big money in a Country where the minimum pay rate is just FJD$2.32/hour (not a typo).

A little bit of trivia. Qantas owns 46.32% of Fiji Airways; second largest shareholder after Fiji Government (51%).

No worries Jeff,just thought i would throw it out there,good of you to take the time to advise cheap fares.

WP link is basically gastric bugs you can catch anywhere on Holidays.

[JeffH]

Back from a great trip to Fiji. Must have been a big storm while we were away and have had plenty of work carting away big branches and reinstalling our shade cloth that was torn from the fittings. Oh well. every storm has a silver lining -in this case rain; our yard had greened up nicely.

Every trip we schedule something different -most memorable was hiring a Toyota Prado and traveling to Rakiraki via the coastal route -no road, just plantation trails and dirt tracks. The highway is inland. This was shortly after cyclone Winston and damage was horrendous with most villages a collection of tents. We stayed overnight at Rakiraki Hotel which had just opened a few repaired rooms. Had dinner with an Australian aid worker and his local offsider. The local chap was learning the ropes to be able to do such a job, if needed, in future. They were most frustrated by lack of building supplies, particularly corrugated iron, for repair works. Villagers had chits for Government sponsored supplies but, each week same answer at the hardware stores..."Sorry, no iron yet".
Then traveled back next day over the top from Ba to Sigatoka -dirt road all the way except a few km each end. Impressive scenery there and very different to the usual images of Fiji. Heavy rain set in as we neared Sigatoka which made for fun driving on the clay surfaced road. Had to find a tap and clean the rear window on the vehicle when we reached Sigatoka. I can't fathom why such a vehicle did not have a rear window wiper -visibility out back was exactly nil.

The following clip show this trip's "different'. We know the operators -both worked at our timeshare resort some years ago, before they married, saved their dollars and opened their river trip business. And yes, I have jumped off the side at that waterfall; scary but thrilling. A visit to a traditional village with explanations of buildings, lifestyle, plants (medicinal and culinary), schools etc. is well worth it even before the tubing.
If you ever visit Fiji and want to do any similar trip try to find if it is locally owned and book direct with the owners. Resorts, booking agencies and transport operators take a hefty slice out of what you are charged. Booking with the owners will get you a cheaper day out and the owners will get a bigger payment -win/win [unless you are a middleman].

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VByj8N7tAM[/video]