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Fiji Melts the Soul

written by | Posted on May 23rd, 2012

Our Asia/South Pacific Editor explored his own beat this month as he traveled to New Zealand for a few days of enchanting discoveries and then hustled over to Fiji, to take in those islands’ seductive landscapes.

Here’s what he captured through his photographic lens while in Fiji:

South Sea Island, a tropical Fiji playground of great beauty is easily accessible from Port Denarau on Denarau Island through the highly efficient catamarans of South Sea Cruises which make regular runs to the neighboring islands.

South Sea Island, a tropical Fiji playground of great beauty is easily accessible from Port Denarau on Denarau Island through the highly efficient catamarans of South Sea Cruises which make regular runs to the neighboring islands.

Beachcomber Island off Port Denarau is the prototypical South Seas islet. Visitors arrive on the catamarans of South Seas Cruises for an ideal day excursion.

Beachcomber Island off Port Denarau is the prototypical South Seas islet. Visitors arrive on the catamarans of South Seas Cruises for an ideal day excursion.

Picnics on a desolate sandbar is a popular activity offshore Port Denarau.

Picnics on a desolate sandbar is a popular activity offshore Port Denarau.

Tadrai Island Resort on Mana island looks like a traditional Fijian village from a distance. Looks are deceiving, for Tadrai is a first-class, luxurious property of only five rooms where pampering and comfort are the norm.

Tadrai Island Resort on Mana island looks like a traditional Fijian village from a distance. Looks are deceiving, for Tadrai is a first-class, luxurious property of only five rooms where pampering and comfort are the norm.

On arrival guests at Tadrai Island Resort are greeted by ancient Fijian songs from the highly efficient staff that has been carefully picked from Fiji's 5-star resorts. There are 28 staffers, a two-to-one ration for Tadrai's guests.

On arrival guests at Tadrai Island Resort are greeted by ancient Fijian songs from the highly efficient staff that has been carefully picked from Fiji's 5-star resorts. There are 28 staffers, a two-to-one ration for Tadrai's guests.

A two-masted sailer cruises off Tadrai Island Resort on Mana Island in Fiji, one of the more spectacular islands in the country.

A two-masted sailer cruises off Tadrai Island Resort on Mana Island in Fiji, one of the more spectacular islands in the country.

Sian Van Pletzen of Tadrai Island Resort serves one of the many local dishes for which the resort is famed.

Sian Van Pletzen of Tadrai Island Resort serves one of the many local dishes for which the resort is famed.

A graceful ketch off Mana Island in Fiji conjures an image of the South Seas dating to the days of Robert Louis Stevenson and early explorers who were captivated by the beauty of the area.

A graceful ketch off Mana Island in Fiji conjures an image of the South Seas dating to the days of Robert Louis Stevenson and early explorers who were captivated by the beauty of the area.

Sailboats and fishing skiffs are common on Fiji's Mana Island.

Sailboats and fishing skiffs are common on Fiji's Mana Island.

Guests at Tadrai Island Resort on Mana Island in Fiji enjoy snacks and drinks above the plunge pool affording spectacular seascapes common to the island.

Guests at Tadrai Island Resort on Mana Island in Fiji enjoy snacks and drinks above the plunge pool affording spectacular seascapes common to the island.

A cruise boat from Port Denarau approaches South Sea Island off the coast of Denarau Island in Fiji.

A cruise boat from Port Denarau approaches South Sea Island off the coast of Denarau Island in Fiji.

Chilled champagne on the verandah overlooking the private plunge pool of every room at Tadrai Island Resort is a standard practice for every guest in this exquisite all-inclusive property where guests are given personal service.

Chilled champagne on the verandah overlooking the private plunge pool of every room at Tadrai Island Resort is a standard practice for every guest in this exquisite all-inclusive property where guests are given personal service.

Each accommodation at Tadrai Island Resort offers a whimsical outdoor bathroom with a personal plunge pool and astounding sea view.

Each accommodation at Tadrai Island Resort offers a whimsical outdoor bathroom with a personal plunge pool and astounding sea view.

Frangipani and black pearls are traditional accessories for Fijian women.

Frangipani and black pearls are traditional accessories for Fijian women.

Fijian women use wild hibiscus as a colorful and convenient hair accessory.

Fijian women use wild hibiscus as a colorful and convenient hair accessory.

Boating enthusiasts find that Fiji, blessed with warm and gentle breezes, is one of the world's great sailing destinations.

Boating enthusiasts find that Fiji, blessed with warm and gentle breezes, is one of the world's great sailing destinations.

Fiji's blue waters, as evidenced in this image, make the country one of the legendary destinations in the Pacific.

Fiji's blue waters, as evidenced in this image, make the country one of the legendary destinations in the Pacific.

Epicurians will find Fiji a mouth-watering utopia. Seafood feasts such as this one at a Suva City waterfront floating restaurant are inexpensive and delightful.

Epicurians will find Fiji a mouth-watering utopia. Seafood feasts such as this one at a Suva City waterfront floating restaurant are inexpensive and delightful.

Fijians are traditionally carefree and happy people who break out in song and dance at any given moment.

Fijians are traditionally carefree and happy people who break out in song and dance at any given moment.

A threatening tropical rain is no deterrent for fishermen in Suva City, an earthy and colorful Fijian port.

A threatening tropical rain is no deterrent for fishermen in Suva City, an earthy and colorful Fijian port.

A cruise liner cuts a fine figure during an early morning in Port Denarau.

A cruise liner cuts a fine figure during an early morning in Port Denarau.

South Sea Island, a tropical Fiji playground of great beauty is easily accessible from Port Denarau on Denarau Island through the highly efficient catamarans of South Sea Cruises which make regular runs to the neighboring islands.Beachcomber Island off Port Denarau is the prototypical South Seas islet. Visitors arrive on the catamarans of South Seas Cruises for an ideal day excursion.Picnics on a desolate sandbar is a popular activity offshore Port Denarau.Tadrai Island Resort on Mana island looks like a traditional Fijian village from a distance. Looks are deceiving, for Tadrai is a first-class, luxurious property of only five rooms where pampering and comfort are the norm.On arrival guests at Tadrai Island Resort are greeted by ancient Fijian songs from the highly efficient staff that has been carefully picked from Fiji's 5-star resorts. There are 28 staffers, a two-to-one ration for Tadrai's guests.A two-masted sailer cruises off Tadrai Island Resort on Mana Island in Fiji, one of the more spectacular islands in the country.Sian Van Pletzen of Tadrai Island Resort serves one of the many local dishes for which the resort is famed.A graceful ketch off Mana Island in Fiji conjures an image of the South Seas dating to the days of Robert Louis Stevenson and early explorers who were captivated by the beauty of the area.Sailboats and fishing skiffs are common on Fiji's Mana Island.Guests at Tadrai Island Resort on Mana Island in Fiji enjoy snacks and drinks above the plunge pool affording spectacular seascapes common to the island.A cruise boat from Port Denarau approaches South Sea Island off the coast of Denarau Island in Fiji.Chilled champagne on the verandah overlooking the private plunge pool of every room at Tadrai Island Resort is a standard practice for every guest in this exquisite all-inclusive property where guests are given personal service.Each accommodation at Tadrai Island Resort offers a whimsical outdoor bathroom with a personal plunge pool and astounding sea view.Frangipani and black pearls are traditional accessories for Fijian women.Fijian women use wild hibiscus as a colorful and convenient hair accessory.Boating enthusiasts find that Fiji, blessed with warm and gentle breezes, is one of the world's great sailing destinations.Fiji's blue waters, as evidenced in this image, make the country one of the legendary destinations in the Pacific.Epicurians will find Fiji a mouth-watering utopia. Seafood feasts such as this one at a Suva City waterfront floating restaurant are inexpensive and delightful.Fijians are traditionally carefree and happy people who break out in song and dance at any given moment.A threatening tropical rain is no deterrent for fishermen in Suva City, an earthy and colorful Fijian port.A cruise liner cuts a fine figure during an early morning in Port Denarau.

Check out his images from New Zealand, which spills over with a beauty that astounds.

And of course, a future issue of Recommend will feature Sergio’s onsites of these two far-flung destinations.