The chief executive officer in Fiji's PM's Office Jioji Kotobalavu has been nominated by Melanesian countries to Read more…

THE night was a backdrop of a sparkling colours that lit up the dark skies as Hindus throughout the world celebrated Diwali the festival of lights. Read more…

A WATER shortage for the last two days has resulted in residents of Makoi, Nasinu, being up in arms on the non-supply of the essential commodity. Read more…

IT will take more than a year to see the establishment of a Voluntary Counselling Confidential Testing unit for HIV/AIDS in the military become reality. Read more…

THE military will not bow to pressure or change its stance on certain Government Bills despite the President's Office decision to allow a Supreme Court definition on the military role. Read more…

POLICE are hunting for eight men who robbed five employees of a Nadi company of $4500 at Namadi Heights, in Suva, early Friday morning. Read more…

The Finance Ministry has clearly stated it took $17million from the Public Works Department to pay for the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) earlier this year, says Works Ministry chief executive Anasa Vocea. Read more…

A 37-year-old woman who suffered 80 per cent burns in a fire that killed two of her children a fortnight ago, has died. Read more…

THE signing of a constitution for the Melanesian Spearhead Group has been until next month. Read more…

A 10-YEAR-old boy is in serious condition at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital after he was hit by a car on Friday morning. Read more…

MEMBERS of a landowning unit will sue the Fiji Hardwood Corporation if it does not return a 38-acre piece of land they claim has been used without their consent since the 1960s. Read more…

THE Fiji Police Force says it is fully prepared for the 37th Pacific Islands Forum that begins in Nadi tomorrow. Read more…

LAW and order, agriculture, health and education will receive an increase in budgetary allocation for next year when the national budget is tabled on November 3, says the Prime Minister's Office. Read more…

This morning I went around Gianyar and passed through King Palace and the football yard and stopped there for a while because I saw a friend of mind there. I chat with Wayan that what his name is, for about 5 minutes. He is a tour guide at one of one agent in Sanur, he took his customer to Ubud market to day and will go to Kintamani after that and passing through Gianyar Town. He told me that in few days there will be Ngasti a ceremony after cremation at Gianyar regency, therefore we have to be aware of the traffic that will be detour because of the Ngasti procession. That is also a good news for me I can pass this information to our customers who wish to visit this ritual. As a tour guide we have to be aware of any ceremony around the island because in some cases the road will be closed or detoured even though only for an hour, still can affect the whole timing of the tour. This is one of the holy rituals for our ancestors and the final ritual that has to be done by deceased one. Balinese believe that the ritual will rise up the soul to eternity and finding a better life there and leave all the world/ physical things to this world. When attending this ritual we will see all of them dress in white and golden yellow clothes both men and women. At the end of this ritual the soul will be escorted to the high hill for them to get an easy access to enter the paradise. From that moment they will be called the holy ancestors. This is good news for the traveler who wants to see the ritual in Bali especially the cremation and the after cremation rituals, which is not happening very often. This chance could be a great chance to see the most holy ritual in Bali. Read more…

The Fiji Police Force has reassured visiting dignitaries that it'll do everything possible to ensure that the 37th Pacific Islands Forum in Nadi is safe Read more…

The Fiji Islands Council of Trade Unions (FICTU) is disappointed that no consultation has been conducted with unions on the Government's decision to downsize the public service Read more…

The production of the renowned 'Survivor' television series in Nadogo, Vanua Levu is back on track Read more…

Okay here’s the deal folks. I’m here in Candi Dasa, East Bali. I’ve had a very active day checking stuff out and talking to locals. Internet connection is dial-up, meaning very slow. I have articles going up and plenty of photos. You can read the articles now, but the photos attached, will have to wait. Getting [...] Read more…

My guest house, Flamboyant, is lcoated 30 meters from the entrance to the road to Tengenan. Riding up to Tengenan from the main road takes about 10 minutes and is scenic for the first half, the strong light and greens of the palm trees, next to the deep blue of the sky. On the way [...] Read more…

Tenganan Dauh Tukad is the watered down version of Tenganan proper. People were friendly, but I was escorted to the ‘donation booth’ after arriving. I gave 10,000rp, take it or shake it. Tenganan Dauh Tukad is a typical East Bali kampung, with a few extras. Dirt streets and yards, palm trees, no breeze and burning sunlight. [...] Read more…

Balinese artist, Kadek Ardita, showed me his family’s collection of Geringsings. He also sells single ikats, batiks and cloths made from kashmir-like material. His art is actually engraving. Kadek is a traditional lontar engraver. Lontar is the dried palm leaf, which when stiff, can be scrached into a pattern. Kadek showed me his work, and allowed [...] Read more…

Candi Dasa has limited nightlife. There is one bar, I can’t remember the name of it, but its easy to find. It has live reggae music and is located at the far north end of the long strip of places. While trying in vain to post something last night, at a local internet cafe, I [...] Read more…

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Like many travellers I've sometimes been subjected to the third degree at Australian airports, had my bags opened and searched then scanned for traces of explosive, my pockets turned inside out and my shoes X-rayed. Yet on more than one occasion I've seen my bags pass through X-ray with the official on duty not even watching the monitor. Security can depend on whim at the best of times. Read more…

AP - Spas in Thailand and Hong Kong topped a list of the world's best spas, as chosen by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine, but spas in Arizona took three of the top six spots. Read more…