Ians’ love of the tropics began with a holiday in Fiji in 1994. Those two weeks were life-changing. After a few more visits to Fiji he, and the family, took a vacation in Vanuatu in 1999. While there, his wife Annie was offered a job teaching at Port Vila International School and Ian couldn’t think of a better place to continue his career as a writer.

They lived in Vanuatu for three years until reality dictated a return to Australia and, until the children complete their education, tropical sojourns can now only be holidays. 2003 saw the publication of his travel guide to Australia (The Small Guide to A Big Country) and his acquisition of a travel agent’s licence, Small Guide Travel, with business partner Jenny Cowles.

Jen’s background is travel, Ian’s is writing. Drawing on their personal experiences, Ian and Jenny specialise in providing travel to the South Pacific and within Australia.

For more specific info on Fiji, particularly resort holidays, honeymoons and weddings, email Ian@FijiAtoZ.com

My Best Day In Fiji

My best day was during a return holiday to Tokoriki Island Resort. I'd previously got my dive ticket there and we wanted to go somewhere familiar where we knew we would not be disappointed. On the first visit we'd become friends with Joe (was then chef in the restaurant, who made the world's best Caesar salad!) and his wife Litia.

She had just had a baby, Ben, and we had two-year-old James. (The resort didn't adopt its 'over 12' policy until 2004.) Joe and Litia invited us to their house, on a beach away from the resort. Litia and Annie played with the children while Joe and I picked chillies, collected some yams for lunch and gathered some firewood.

With the kids asleep on a rug in the shade, the ladies made a fire on the beach. Joe showed me how to hunt for crabs, using our feet (feel for a hollowness under the sand and dig down). With a few crabs for bait, we waded, waste deep, into the crystal-clear, warm, blue-green water and threw out our lines.

Four strikes - four fish - and 20 minutes later, they were simmering in saltwater with chilli next to a pot of boiling yams. Sitting there on the beach, feeling the peace, and looking out at the sea made me realise that I was with the richest people on earth and they had something that money couldn't buy.

Joe now looks after the activities for guests on Tokoriki and you'll find Litia's smiling face behind the bar.