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Moon Handbooks
Fiji Islands Handbook
Featuring city, beach and park maps, as well as restaurant and accommodation indexes, this guide to Fiji provides coverage of the island''s flora and fauna, history, people, customs and legends. '
- GenresTravel
275 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 14, 2018
In a personal essay included in the March/April 2005 issue of Pacific Magazine (Honolulu), inveterate traveler Dr. David Stanley describes how he was once chased down a street in Fiji by an irate hotel owner who, after answering a barrage of questions from the author, had received a mere thanks in exchange for all his information. No wonder Dr. Stanley now pleads for respect of his anonymity if you spy him on one of the Pacific islands—it’s downright dangerous out there!
Anecdotes aside, Dr. Stanley has once more done himself proud by producing the 9th edition of Moon Fiji, the leading guidebook to the 322-island Fiji archipelago. Not only does Dr. Stanley update his guides with meticulous care, ensuring that each edition is jam-packed with the latest information, but he also goes out of his way to make sure that the guidance that he gives is relevant and pertinent to all travelers and tourists in the region, no matter whether you’re a backpacker or a flashpacker. Due to his personal knowledge of Fiji, he is able to provide detailed insight into all aspects of the islands, including the sights, entertainment and shopping opportunities, recreational facilities, accommodations from budget to high flyer, the local cuisine, and those which are most handy to know—services, transportation and where to find out even more information, once you are treading the native soil. The 9th edition of Moon Fiji has been specially designed to complement other media, and internet and email addresses are provided aplenty.
Despite Dr. Stanley being aware of how quickly things change, he argues the advantages of guidebooks over the Internet, in so far as the latter tends to reflect either personal and subjective insights into an area through which a traveler might only have passed once or twice, or else the promotional hype of specific business concerns. The objectivity of Moon Fiji is indisputable, as the author receives no backing from any specific promoter, enabling him to make his listings of, among others, accommodation establishments comprehensive and fair. Dr. Stanley’s humble and unassuming approach is all the more remarkable when one realizes how well traveled the author is, as well as the many guides he has produced for a wide range of countries. In fact, he has spent much of the past three decades on the road, crossing six continents overland, and visiting over 212 of the world’s 245 countries. Despite his international reputation, which is held in the highest regard by leading tourism authorities on a global scale, he prefers to do the footslogging himself, rather than sending out a posse of researchers to scout out the field for him. The author maintains, “I’ve always researched my books incognito. I prefer to arrive unexpected and uninvited, and to see things as my readers will see them.”
Dr. Stanley’s readership is very much what he keeps in mind in compiling his guidebooks, as can be seen in Moon Fiji. Knowing how limited your time is, he suggests itineraries and travel strategies for how you can get the most out of your trip to Fiji. The entire guide is amply illustrated with photos and maps that are clearly labeled for ease of use. Signposting and the use of bold for key terms are provided consistently throughout the book, so that you can easily find what you are looking for at a flick of your thumb. In addition to a Background chapter that provides an in-depth introduction to the islands, Dr. Stanley gives the lowdown on all you need to know about such basics as visas and officialdom, conduct, and health and safety. In short, Moon Fiji is an indispensable guide to this fascinating archipelago that once earned notoriety as the “Cannibal Isles.” Intriguing and captivating, the mystique of the islands lingers on. Why not explore it too?
Anecdotes aside, Dr. Stanley has once more done himself proud by producing the 9th edition of Moon Fiji, the leading guidebook to the 322-island Fiji archipelago. Not only does Dr. Stanley update his guides with meticulous care, ensuring that each edition is jam-packed with the latest information, but he also goes out of his way to make sure that the guidance that he gives is relevant and pertinent to all travelers and tourists in the region, no matter whether you’re a backpacker or a flashpacker. Due to his personal knowledge of Fiji, he is able to provide detailed insight into all aspects of the islands, including the sights, entertainment and shopping opportunities, recreational facilities, accommodations from budget to high flyer, the local cuisine, and those which are most handy to know—services, transportation and where to find out even more information, once you are treading the native soil. The 9th edition of Moon Fiji has been specially designed to complement other media, and internet and email addresses are provided aplenty.
Despite Dr. Stanley being aware of how quickly things change, he argues the advantages of guidebooks over the Internet, in so far as the latter tends to reflect either personal and subjective insights into an area through which a traveler might only have passed once or twice, or else the promotional hype of specific business concerns. The objectivity of Moon Fiji is indisputable, as the author receives no backing from any specific promoter, enabling him to make his listings of, among others, accommodation establishments comprehensive and fair. Dr. Stanley’s humble and unassuming approach is all the more remarkable when one realizes how well traveled the author is, as well as the many guides he has produced for a wide range of countries. In fact, he has spent much of the past three decades on the road, crossing six continents overland, and visiting over 212 of the world’s 245 countries. Despite his international reputation, which is held in the highest regard by leading tourism authorities on a global scale, he prefers to do the footslogging himself, rather than sending out a posse of researchers to scout out the field for him. The author maintains, “I’ve always researched my books incognito. I prefer to arrive unexpected and uninvited, and to see things as my readers will see them.”
Dr. Stanley’s readership is very much what he keeps in mind in compiling his guidebooks, as can be seen in Moon Fiji. Knowing how limited your time is, he suggests itineraries and travel strategies for how you can get the most out of your trip to Fiji. The entire guide is amply illustrated with photos and maps that are clearly labeled for ease of use. Signposting and the use of bold for key terms are provided consistently throughout the book, so that you can easily find what you are looking for at a flick of your thumb. In addition to a Background chapter that provides an in-depth introduction to the islands, Dr. Stanley gives the lowdown on all you need to know about such basics as visas and officialdom, conduct, and health and safety. In short, Moon Fiji is an indispensable guide to this fascinating archipelago that once earned notoriety as the “Cannibal Isles.” Intriguing and captivating, the mystique of the islands lingers on. Why not explore it too?
April 15, 2008
Moon Handbooks Fiji is the ultimate overview for traveling on any of the 322-islands of Fiji. This book contains 357 pages of travel information but is still small enough to tuck in a daypack for easy reference. Furthermore, this book has plenty of fairly detailed maps, complete with accurate distance scales, for easy travel planning or reference while you travel.
There are fourteen chapters in Moon Handbooks Fiji: Introduction; Exploring the Islands; Nada and the Mamanucas; Southern Vita Levu; Suva and Vincinity; Northern Vita Levu; Lautoka and Vicinity; The Yasawa Islands; Kadava; The Lomaivita Group; Vannua Levu; Taveuni; The Lau Group; and Resources. The introduction chapter contains an overview on Fiji group. This detailed information includes geology, climate, flora, fauna, history, economy, and the government of these islands. The next chapter, Exploring the Islands, contains general information on sports and recreation; entertainment; public holidays and festivals; arts and crafts; shopping; and accommodations; food; money; communications; media as well as contacts for tourist information; visas; health and safety; getting there; getting around; and airports while in Fiji. This chapter also includes a what to take section. The Resources chapter contains further information on suggested readings and internet resources.
The rest of the chapters in Moon Handbooks Fiji focus on particular geographical regions, islands, or groups of islands with the Fiji group. The first paragraph or page of each regional section describes a little about the region. After this overview, individual sights, recreation areas, special events, accommodations, food services, information services, and transportation services are depicted in detail. Depending on the size and general amount of facilities in a given region, there may be only one or two entries per category or over a dozen. Each entry contains the location, contacts, costs, and a short paragraph description of the facility or event featured. Several black and white maps and photographs accompany each section, clearly marked with the various facilities described in that particular section.
Moon Handbooks Fiji is a helpful guide for anyone planning on traveling to any of the islands of the Fiji group. Very complete key information is provided for easy reference while planning or while travel. However, this book may also be just as interesting for the armchair traveler as this book contains ample information about the natural environment, history, and culture on these beautiful islands.
There are fourteen chapters in Moon Handbooks Fiji: Introduction; Exploring the Islands; Nada and the Mamanucas; Southern Vita Levu; Suva and Vincinity; Northern Vita Levu; Lautoka and Vicinity; The Yasawa Islands; Kadava; The Lomaivita Group; Vannua Levu; Taveuni; The Lau Group; and Resources. The introduction chapter contains an overview on Fiji group. This detailed information includes geology, climate, flora, fauna, history, economy, and the government of these islands. The next chapter, Exploring the Islands, contains general information on sports and recreation; entertainment; public holidays and festivals; arts and crafts; shopping; and accommodations; food; money; communications; media as well as contacts for tourist information; visas; health and safety; getting there; getting around; and airports while in Fiji. This chapter also includes a what to take section. The Resources chapter contains further information on suggested readings and internet resources.
The rest of the chapters in Moon Handbooks Fiji focus on particular geographical regions, islands, or groups of islands with the Fiji group. The first paragraph or page of each regional section describes a little about the region. After this overview, individual sights, recreation areas, special events, accommodations, food services, information services, and transportation services are depicted in detail. Depending on the size and general amount of facilities in a given region, there may be only one or two entries per category or over a dozen. Each entry contains the location, contacts, costs, and a short paragraph description of the facility or event featured. Several black and white maps and photographs accompany each section, clearly marked with the various facilities described in that particular section.
Moon Handbooks Fiji is a helpful guide for anyone planning on traveling to any of the islands of the Fiji group. Very complete key information is provided for easy reference while planning or while travel. However, this book may also be just as interesting for the armchair traveler as this book contains ample information about the natural environment, history, and culture on these beautiful islands.
September 10, 2013
This book is a must-read for anyone traveling to Fiji. I find the Moon guides a little more inclusive and not just catering to the budget or backpack crowd.
After using this guide to find restaurants and places of interest, I can say that it saved me days of research. Instead, I just choose from the book and found the descriptions to be bang-on.
I would suggest reading it fully before you plan your trip so that you know what areas you want to visit. Then, of course, pack it in your carry-on and keep it with you at all times.
Highly recommend!
Diana Young- World Traveler – currently sailing in the South Pacific for six months and #1 Amazon Best-selling author of Financial Fitness for Beginners.
After using this guide to find restaurants and places of interest, I can say that it saved me days of research. Instead, I just choose from the book and found the descriptions to be bang-on.
I would suggest reading it fully before you plan your trip so that you know what areas you want to visit. Then, of course, pack it in your carry-on and keep it with you at all times.
Highly recommend!
Diana Young- World Traveler – currently sailing in the South Pacific for six months and #1 Amazon Best-selling author of Financial Fitness for Beginners.
November 26, 2007
This guidebook was great. Important elements of history and culture combined with excellent recoomendations on food and accommodation. Bula!
March 21, 2017
Not all that helpful. Mostly filler about accommodations. I am in Fiji now and we don't seem to have visited the same place.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews