Ok I know everyone says the people are nicer in Fiji and its less expensive than Tahiti but are than any other reasons why I should pick Fiji over Tahiti? ANy ideas on where I should stay. Thanks for your help.

Food in Fiji is spicier/has more taste/variety due to the influence of generations of Indian imigrants. <BR>Tahitian food often apes the worst of French cuisine, esp in more expensive resorts

thanks fiji food for your help. However when selecting a destination for my vacation food is the last on my list when deciding. Can anyone else tell me which of the two has more to do. Thanks. Again thank you Fiji Food I know some of my friends put food on the top of their priority list when chosing a trip.

Tahiti is more activity driven since there are more people to entertain in a smaller place. It depends on where you stay if it is less or more expensive. You can do Fiji for less at the more economical resorts or more for places like Turtle or Vatulele. Just depends. Fijiian outer islands are more secluded but offer snorkeling, diving, jungle hikes, hobie cats etc. & more personalized service. There are not a lot of people to contend with. We always had our own kayak or hobie cat whenever we wanted. Personally I think Tahiti (outer islands) is now geared more for honeymooners since it is so heavily advertised as such & Fiji for people of any age looking for a lower key atmoshpere & interaction with the locals. That has just been my experience. Both are fabulous places & you cannot go wrong at either, just deciding what fits your expectations the best.

We stayed at the Shangri La where we had all the ameneties but yet we went out in the country also with a taxi driver we had for 3 different days to see things. We stayed on Moorea in Tahiti and I think that island is more scenic than the Fiji islands. Fiji has more craft things you might want to bring home.

Deb, no wonder why you didn't like Fiji or didn't think it was as scenic as Moorea....You stayed at the Shangri-La!! <BR>The best part of Fiji is its outer islands, just as it is not reccommended for someone to go to Tahiti and stay in Papette. It is too bad your travel agent didn't steer you in the right direction.

Just wondering what is wrong with the Shangri-La! Materials I have seen make it look nice -- and the trip cost is less than 1/2 of what an outer island accomodation would cost (for us budget- conscious people). <BR> <BR>For those that have been to the Shangri- La, I have some specific questions. How is the snorkeling in the lagoon? Did you take day trips to the outer islands and, if so, which would you suggest (for good snorkeling)? Did you go to Natadola Beach and, if so, how did you get there? <BR> <BR>Thanks! <BR>Michele <BR>

Just returned from two weeks in Fiji, the first of which was at the Shangri-La Fijian and the second was split between Wananavu Beach Resort, Tavewa (in the Yasawas) and Matamanoa (in the Mamanucas). <BR> <BR>The Shangri-La is a nice resort, sprawling and with all desirable amenities but it does have sort of an artificial "Disneyland Fiji" feel. Also, certain packages offered are very family-friendly and as such, children nearly outnumber adults throughout the resort. Charming as kids often are, the Fijian is not an ideal resort if you're looking for any peace and quiet. <BR> <BR>Snorkeling in the lagoon is good, but the snorkeling was as good or better at each of our other spots (though nowhere did it approach snorkeling in Belize). <BR> <BR>We did visit Natadola Beach via the sugar cane train which made for a nice day trip. It is a pleasant beach and is very quiet (deserted) compared to the Fijian. <BR> <BR>As we knew we would be visiting a few outer islands, we didn't 'day trip' to any from the Fijian. <BR> <BR>Our package including airfare and '7' nights at the Fijian was unbeatably priced (to the extent that we viewed the Fijian rooms as free) and the resort offers every amenity you could want in pleasant fashion. As part of such a package, I'd stop at the Fijian again, but I wouldn't go out of my way to stay there, as it's a very insulated resort. You could probably travel a lesser distance and get the same experience except for the canned culture. I think this sentiment would apply to most of the mega-resorts in Nadi or on the Coral Coast. <BR> <BR>Feel free to email me if you'd like further information. <BR> <BR>Kevin

Isn't it funny all the snotty people have anonymous emails!! I steered myself to the Shangri La, thank you very much. <BR> <BR>You have to decide what you want in a trip. We took my 19 yr daughter with us, so it was nice to stay at the Shangri La and have a more resort atmosphere where there was a great band at night, different things going on, etc. We stayed in an oceanview room so it was away from the smaller children area. <BR> <BR>We took a day trip on the Whales Tale a 100 ft sailing ship, it was a little worn but had a fun crew and we stopped on 2 islands and went snorkeling. We went into Nadi another day to the "Sleeping Giant" which is an orchid garden developed by Raymond Burr. If you're into gardening you would like it. We had the same taxi drive for 3 different days, he was Fijian Indian and he invited us to his house for lunch which we really enjoyed. They served curry chicken and fish and his family were very friendly. We went to Nadatola Beach also where their were more native people trying to get you to buy things on the beach, reminded me of Mexico. It is a beautiful undeveloped beach with strong waves that made it hard to enjoy being in the water. <BR> <BR>We totally enjoyed our trip just as we enjoyed Tahiti where we stayed at a smaller hotel.

Based on the department of state's travel advisories (the us that is) for Fiji -- and having been to Tahiti -- I would pick Tahiti again in a heartbeat -- The water is blue --the natives are extraordinarily friendly -- its great

Hi <BR> <BR>I am not snotty but I wouldnt recommend teh Shangri la either. It is just pointless going to Fiji and then not seeing an island or staying somewhere less homogonised. When I fisrt went to Fiji I stayed at the Shangri_la becasue I hadnt done my reserch and didnt know any better (also was travelling alone). I have now been to Fiji 4 times and just think the Shangri La is great for getting over jetlag and waiting for flight connections but otherwise a waste. I also found the huge numbers of kids very distracting. <BR> <BR>If you are bidget-conscious then try Treasure Island or Navini or even Beachcomber (backpacker), which are all very easily accessible from Nadi. <BR> <BR>Everyone that has been to French Polynesia advises me to steer clear of Tahiti/Papeete itself as it is just not the tropical paradise ones thinkgs of when shelling out all that money! <BR> <BR>Although Fiji has not become as commercialised as Tahiti, it is the same principal when telling people to avoid places like the shnagri-la or the sheratons in Fiji. <BR> <BR>I wouldnt go all the way to New York and then stay in New Jersey or go to London and stay at Heathrow airport! <BR> <BR>If you go for one of the big hotels on Viti Levu you could be anywhere in the world. The offshore islands have just as good, if not better standards.