Fijiguide.com Quarterly Newsletter

Bula and greetings from Fijiguide.com. This is our second quarterly newsletter of the year. We're a bit late in getting this out to you--we've been busy!

The last quarter has seen progress that can be measured in a number of ways. Our membership is now up to 342 (nearly triple from the last time a newsletter went out) and daily visitors to the website now average over 400 per day, up from approximately 250 back in January.

We have striven to steadily improve content. Thanks to our members we’ve received some unique contributions in the way or text, photos and videos. Keep them coming!

Vinaka to John Philp, of the Fiji Surf Association, which helped us cover one of the most important stories of the last few years--the deregulation of Fiji's waves. Special thanks to Ian Collingwood of Sunflower Aviation Ltd and David Kendell of Continental Airlines for their support.
We also appreciate the help of individuals who have posted some wonderful visuals including Scott Putnam (underwater videos and photos), Marilyn Marsh (shots of Vanuabalavu), Stewart Gow (underwater videos and shots of Kadavu), Ricardo Serpa (Tavarua surf shots), Mike Moore (art photos), Kara Matai (World population day), Michael Tamanikaiyaro (Sigatoka Sand Dunes), Aminiasi Vakaloloma (A Buca Family in the States), Karyn Blenkiron (Sonaisali), Bula Bob (Cyclone Tomas), Roberta Davis (Makaira), Linny Morris (Mamanuca) and many others.

The blog entries have been original and groundbreaking. We’re the first to publish PACIFIC FLASH: A Year in FIJI the memoirs of San Francisco writer by Gerry Takano. One of the best books in memory about Fiji, it chronicles the everyday life of an American living in Levuka the old capital of Fiji.

We’ve also had some fascinating blogs that have covered a variety of subjects, including a series on what may have been the last concert George Harrison ever performed—in a remote Fijian village on Vanua Levu. Other noteworthy stories included a great interview with veteran travel writer David Stanley who talked in detail about the growth of eco-tourism in the South Pacific and, a profile of Lai Veikoso founder of the Art Conservatorium of Fiji.
One of the most exciting aspects of our website has been on the video side.

I particularly want to single out the talents of Scott Putnam, an underwater photographer who has created some wonderful video primers to Taveuni and Savusvu. We recently sent him to the North once again to visit the resorts of Jean Michelle Cousteau, Paradise Taveuni, The Orchid and Nukubati. Scott was able to get footage of reefs that have scarely been photographed as well as great videos of all these properties. Scott was also able to blog extensively about his travels.

What’s up in the future?
Scott Putnam is creating together even more exciting videos of his under and over water adventures in Fiji.

We’re oing to cover surfing even more and have a two part series coming up by Rob Dunton, a Santa Barbara, 

California writer who spent his honeymoon on Tavarua. No, Rob isn’t a pro surfer. He describes himself as a “a middle-aged, intermediate surfer who enjoys a good wave as much in Fiji. 

Finally, we’re planning another contest that will afford a Fijiguide.com member with a vacation i as the next guy" and his wife Susan, as "a novice with two days of lessons and eight hours of board time".

Stay tuned and please continue to send us your photos, videos and questions.

Vinaka for all your support. Drop me a line whenever you like. I love hearing from you.

Rob Kay Founder, Fijiguide.com