ESCAPE!

Destinations have so much to offer the 'adventurer', whether that is Everest or the South Pacific, adventure travel, or travel with adventure, has become hugely popular. But I am sure that like us, you are well and truly over reading about the ‘azure blue water, the white sand beaches and the swaying palm trees’. This issue we are saying, ‘be responsible for your own generic information’, if you want to know about Tahiti and her islands then use ‘the google’! I just typed in Tahiti, and I got 152,000,000 results (0.69 seconds). That’s all the general information you are going to need.

So, what’s in this Escape issue? It’s the stuff you won’t find on Google; the secret and the small, it’s all that is special. What we like to call ‘insider’ information; that restaurant, that lookout, that activity, that only the locals know about. We wrote to a variety of people we know and asked them for their best picks, their specialised insider knowledge of their destination.

FIJI

I always feel a bit sorry for Fiji because it seems to have been around for so long. It is so diverse, so expansive, yet it gets pigeonholed. It has led the way in South Pacific tourism but with over 333 island there is really something for everyone. From super budget to super top end, from family kids’ clubs to billionaires only. Its longevity is both a negative and positive. Negative because everyone you speak to has been there and everyone has an opinion. The positive is that because it has been catering for tourism for so long there really is something for everyone. Amazing diving and fishing, rafting, biking, hiking. The surf throughout the region is legendary. The Fijian people are friendly and welcoming regardless of where you go. Even though it is the quintessential ‘Pacific paradise’ it’s got a lot more to offer than the holiday brochures would have you believe.

Spend a day at Malamala

If you think ‘Fiji’ you think white sand beaches, it’s not always that easy - Denarau beaches are dodgy at best, but just 25 mins away by boat is Malamala Beach Club. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, Malamala is located on its very own island, just 25 minutes from Port Denarau. Pretty much the biggest coolest restaurant in Fiji.

You buy a day pass and you can lay on the white sand beaches all day, or purchase a beachside cabana with butler service on the quiet side of the island. The resort style infinity pool is awesome. Also good to know. Buy a day pass from South Sea Cruises and you can go back over the next 7 days for just FJD$75 pp.

Explore Nausori Highlands

Towering over the coastal flats of Nadi are the high peaks of Koromba to the south and Koronayitu in the north, both over 1000m and forming part of the spectacular Nausori Highlands. With your own transport, a