The dazzling white beaches, clear warm waters, colorful coral reefs, and sunny dry climate make Yasawa Group an ideal tourist destination, but until recently a visit involved a rough sea voyage from Lautoka in an unsafe village boat—or an expensive seaplane flight from Nadi. Blue Lagoon Cruises has been plying Yasawas since 1950s, but passengers aboard those upscale vessels sleep in staterooms and local residents receive few benefits from their presence.

Until 1987 Rabuka coups in Suva, it was policy of Fiji government that Yasawas were closed to land-based tourism. The long years of military-backed government brought few changes to Yasawas, although Australian investors were allowed to construct deluxe Yasawa Island Resort (www.yasawa.com) in 1991 and a couple of village-operated backpacker camps sprang up on Wayasewa and Waya. Since early 1980s, local families have operated three small low-budget resorts on Tavewa Island, thanks largely to Tavewa's status as a freehold island beyond authority of Fijian chiefs. For decades local church leaders have portrayed tourism as a corrupting outside influence to be kept at arms length from village life.

It would be hard to imagine anything more removed from real Fijian life than Turtle Island Resort on Nanuya Levu Island, Fiji's ultimate hideaway for US$1,500-a-night crowd. Nanuya Levu has been freehold land since 1868, and in 1972 Richard Evanson used US$300,000 he earned in Southern California cable television business to buy island.

Evanson's Turtle Island Resort (www.turtlefiji.com) became prototype of Fiji's current crop of boutique island resorts, hosting notables like Hollywood stars and millionaires. Brooke Shields stayed here during 1980 filming of escapist classic The Blue Lagoon.

A self-styled environmentalist, Evanson has planted thousands of trees on his island, and has converted mangrove forests into tourist attractions by cleverly creating boardwalks. The resort's food is grown in organic gardens and power is generated using solar and wind energy. Each year a group of volunteer California eye specialists visits Turtle Island Resort to perform eye surgery on needy villagers or to equip them with donated prescription glasses.

Obviously, you'd like to make most of your trip. You will get greatest return on your investment if you're out of your hotel room enjoying your destination. I can help you achieve this.

"What Is Jet Lag?"

In simple terms, jet lag is disruption of your body's internal clock, or circadian rhythm. This clock sets your sleeping and waking times. It is complex and sensitive. Flying east or west messes it up. That's because you cross time zones much faster than your body can adjust.

What are common jet lag symptoms? They include:

* Headache * Disorientation * Anxiety * Exhaustion * Indigestion * Dehydration * Impaired Coordination

Obviously, these things could ruin your trip. Following these guidelines will reduce your jet lag symptoms and let you enjoy your trip even more.

I'll break this discussion into three sections:

* Before Your Trip * During Your Flight * At Your Destination

A. Help Prevent Jet Lag Before You Leave Home

1. Get Plenty Of Sleep. NASA found that getting as much sleep as possible beginning two days before your trip is significant in minimizing jet lag symptoms.

2. Reduce Your Stress. All that running around can make you more stressed.

3. Exercise. If you exercise regularly, make it a priority to keep that routine just before you travel. Also, continue it at your destination.

B. Things You Can Do During Your Flight To Reduce Jet Lag

1. Arrive Early At The Airport. Not rushing to make your flight will help reduce stress and make you more relaxed. That way you'll rest better on plane.