Without taking sides, man-in-the-street Fijians - indigenous, Indian and any other - are the ones suffering most from sanctions and adverse travel advisory notices aimed at bringing the military administration to an end.
Fiji, once Australia's favourite holiday destination, is battling on and, from a tourist point of view (if you can just put away thoughts of an old sailor running the show from Suva), holiday prices have never been more affordable. But still visitor numbers are low.
Packages particularly are big on value. Latest to cross our desk from the most reputable and professional Blue Lagoon Cruises is a thing they call a two cabin family cruise.
Available from now until the end of March next year - including all school holiday periods - it costs from just $1515 per family of up to five for a three-day/two-night Yasawa Islands Club cruise.
The price is based on two adults and up to three children, 15 years and under, sharing their own cabin, and includes all meals, accommodation, cruise and cultural activities. There are several other variations.
Blue Lagoon Cruises crew are highly experienced looking after younger passengers leaving the adults total peace of mind with special mealtimes, cots and high chairs.
The company also operates a dedicated Captains Club children's program over the school holiday periods which includes bushwalking and snorkel safaris, water sports, beach games and cultural activities.
The price does not include international airfare or beverages.
For details, visit www.bluelagooncruises.com Grand old favourite
New grand dames of the high seas come and go … they seem to be launching them at a rate of knots these days.
But for this seasoned sailor the grand old (by cruising standards) lady, Oriana, takes some beating.
There are currently savings of up to 50 per cent through www.ecruising.travel in Sydney which drops the the price of a 14-night cruise from Sydney to Hong Kong aboard the five-star star liner to $3999pp twin-share. And that includes a night aboard ship in Hong Kong and your airfare back to Australia.
You also get another night, post-cruise at The Empire Hotel Kowloon.
All your on-board dining, exquisite showroom entertainment, port charges and taxes are also in included in the price but those bloody air taxes applicable at the time of booking muddy the otherwise crystal pool.
Oriana will sail from Sydney on February 16 next year, visiting Brisbane, the Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, and Rabaul.
For full details phone 1300 369 848 or check-out www.ecruising.travel and quote Product 5024. Near neighbour beckons
Sure, it's easy just to hop in the car and head for those delightful Southern Highlands but it is slack not to take advantage, ahead of the trip, of the area's recently released Holiday Planner & Map 2008.
Just when you thought you knew all about the destination, you will be amazed at all the “new” things in the guide.
The stylish publication covers the lot - from a strong focus on its regional food and wine, gardens, heritage, nature, arts and antiques, cricket and golf themes. It also showcases unique aspects of towns and villages and various accommodation venues.
Tourism Southern Highlands says the publication was planned to aid their efforts in educating and motivating potential visitors to experience everything on offer, coaxing them to stay longer and spend more.
It also serves to direct potential visitors to the Tourism Southern Highlands website: www.southern-highlands.com.au itself a valuable planning tool.
A useful feature is the planner's pull-out visitor map highlighting everything from tourist drives, key attractions and specialty shops, to accommodation and the area's natural wonders.
The 2008 Southern Highlands Holiday Planner and Map is available at NSW Visitor Information Centres and Tourism New South Wales and Tourism Australia.
Another option is to call Tourism Southern Highlands on 02 4871 2888. | 
