Can I submit another itinerary??

We have decided for Fiji. We have bought our plane tickets. We are a family of 4 (2 teenaged boys) and we enjoy a variety of activities including snorkeling and hiking, but we also enjoy cultural discovery. We will be in Fiji for 29 days this coming July
So, I have prepared an itinerary which I would like to submit for comments and suggestions.
Day 1: arrival at noon. Rest . Lodge at Raffles in Nadi
Day 2 - 5: take the Yasawa Flyer to Octopus Resort. Stay there 4 nights. One of us wishes to do the PADI open water course ( would do the classroom part online prior to departure)
Days 6-8: on to the Blue Lagoon Resort
Day 9: return to Nadi. Rent a car. If time allows, drive to Natadola Beach and sleep may be at Kalevu South Pacific Cultural Centre (I read there were rooms to rent)
Day 10: Walk the Sigatoka Dunes, visit the Taveuni Hill Fort and the Kula Eco Park, sleep in Korotogo
Day 11 - 12: drive to Pacific Harbor. River trip and Arts Village
Day 13: on to Suva. Visit Fiji Museum
Day 14 - 18: Fly to Taveuni. Stay in a lodge in Matei
Day 19 -25: ferry to Vanua Livi. Rent a 4 x 4
Day 26-28: fly to Suva; to Rakiraki and on to Nananu-i-ri
Day 29: back to Nadi for late evening flight

Does this sound reasonable?
I realize that we are not going to Ovalau and I was wondering if we should change the schedule to include it.
And also hiking the Nausori Highlands. It is always difficult to make decisions but I was wondering if, for better equilibrium of activities, I should include the above.
I was also wondering if we should split our time on Taveuni between some time in Matei and a day or 2 in the south?
same on Vanua Livi. Should we spend half our time in Savusavu and half near Salt Lake?
Thank you for your input!
Johanne

You are going to be busy!
First 8 days sound great - my 2 favourite places in Fiji! Do you realise that when you leave Blue Lagoon you will travel on the Yasawa Flyer which will get you back to Nadi close to 6pm? That is right near dark, so renting a car & travelling to the Coral Coast might not be straightforward - especially finding your way to Natadola in the dark.
Day 10 looks jam-packed - you might need to drop one of those.
Day 11 - unless the Arts Village at Pacific Harbour is greatly improved since I last went through there, I would forget that.
I presume you are leaving your rental car in Suva? Have you organised to leave it at the airport or in town? - not many people realise (unless they have been before) that the airport is a good half hour out of town.
How are you planning to get from Suva to Rakiraki - car again?
Difficult to see where you could fit in Ovalau, although it's really interesting. And Nausori Highlands - they are quite remote, better to add in some hiking on Waya (Octopus). If you have a car on Vanua Levu - and it looks like 4 full days - you have plenty of time to fit in both Savusavu & Salt Lake.
For all Fiji is a small country, transport between places is not always straightforward, roads not in great condition, boats not always at convenient times - so don't expect to get quickly from one place to another.

Thank you TaiMarilyn, thank you very much!

so, here is my modified version taking in your comments:

Day 1: arrival at noon. Rest . Lodge at Raffles in Nadi
Day 2 - 5: take the Yasawa Flyer to Octopus Resort. Stay there 4 nights. One of us wishes to do the PADI open water course ( would do the classroom part online prior to departure)
Days 6-8: on to the Blue Lagoon Resort (3 nights)
Day 9: return to Nadi. Overnight at Raffles again
Day 10: Rent a car.Drive to Natadola Beach and sleep may be at Kalevu South Pacific Cultural Centre (I read there were rooms to rent)
Day 11: choose 2 of the following 3 activities: Walk the Sigatoka Dunes, visit the Taveuni Hill Fort and the Kula Eco Park, sleep in Korotogo
Day 12 : drive to Pacific Harbor. River trip
Day 13: on to Suva. Visit Fiji Museum
Day 14 - 18: Fly to Taveuni. Stay in a lodge in Matei (5 nights)
Day 19 -25: ferry to Vanua Livi. Rent a 4 x 4 (7 nights)
Day 26-28: fly to Suva; to Rakiraki (by local bus or ??taxi)) and on to Nananu-i-ri ( 3 nights)
Day 29: back to Nadi (by bus/??taxi) for late evening flight

I have 7 nights on Vanua Livi not 4, do you suggest I cut it and include Ovalau, or would you suggest I divide my time there with 4 nights in Savusavu and 3 in Salt Lake?
Thanks again for your input!
Johanne

you wrote "we enjoy a variety of activities including snorkeling and hiking, but we also enjoy cultural discovery."

Day 10 or Day 11 you drive right past Danny's Village Homestay...why night spend the night there because you will get your cultural discovery at this village

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH9_Ui4J3lI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7Cj7sCshVM&feature=related

you are driving right past so I thought I would mention it as an option

re day 1 if you have not already booked Raffles I would suggest you stay at Aquarius

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SS36XSoaI4&feature=related

because it is right on the beach and very reasonably priced we stayed there when we went to Danny's at their suggestion and it was GREAT. Raffles is a airport Hotel (very good don't get me wrong but your teenage boys may want to get off the plane and see the beach etc

You have picked great resort in the yasawas Octopus just GREAT!

Days 19 - 25 - you would find it hard to find enough things to do in Savusavu for 7 days. I have not been to Salt Lake but its on my list of places to try, looks good.
Ovalau - again, transport is the problem, to get there from Taveuni or Savusavu you would first have to return to Suva, so travelling will take up a day.

Raffles vs Aquarius - good suggestion but the beach will disappoint, mainland beaches in that area are not up to much and it would take a lot for me to get into that water! But Raffles does have a big pool with water slide that might entertain your boys more! I'd save the beach experience for the Yasawas.

You are really wonderful! thank you so much for having taken the time to help me!!

Danny's Homestay looks exciting! may be I should plan on 2 days there. (days 11 and 12)I could remove a day on Vanua Livi to compensate. In Savusavu, I thought of renting a 4x4, drive to the peninsula, the Hibiscus Highway and snorkeling
Do you suggest I keep Nananu-i-ri or go to Ovalau instead?? I am really not sure.
and then, on Taveuni, should we spend the whole time in Matei or a few days in the south as well
thank you once again very much for all your support
Johanne

Vanua Levu-it's spelled Vanua Levu-this is important.

Are you used to bad roads? you will find the peninsula road out from Savusavu to be challenging - but worth it. Great scenery. You may find the snorkelling in Savusavu disappointing after your time in the Yasawas.
I have only spent time around the Matei area on Taveuni, but you should go to the waterfalls at Bouma, and to the beach at Lavena on the eastern side. You could fit some hiking in on Taveuni with a trip up the mountain if you can find a guide, there is a lake at the top. And if Mrs Lal is still doing her curries at home and you like curry - recommended!
I had 10 days on Nananu-i-ra in 2008. If it was me I'd miss it out and go to Ovalau instead. (But you will probably find others with a different opinion). It is very small, extremely quiet, beaches will be disappointing after the Yasawas, and your teenagers will not find much to do.
To get to Ovalau - easiest to fly from Nausori (Suva airport). I don't know what the plane schedules are like these days but there used to be 2 flights a day, one in the morning and the other around 5pm. Best if you could get a flight from Savusavu that fitted in with that. For a different experience try staying at the Royal Hotel (oldest hotel in Fiji). It's not flash but a step back in time! You might have to eat out at local restaurants, I've been there when they closed the dining room at times.
Happy planning!

Thank you for your help again!
Hardnosethehighway: message received! I agree with you that it is important and apologize for my mistake.
Now, I have turned my itinerary around. The guys in this family prefer to keep nirvana for the end. So here is the new version:
Day 1: arrival at 1pm. Rent a car and drive to ?Natadola Beach or Kalevu South Pacific Cultural Centre
Days 2 - 3: choose 2 of the following 3 activities: Walk the Sigatoka Dunes, visit the Taveuni Hill Fort and the Kula Eco Park, sleep at Danny's Village Homestay
Day 4: river trip. On to Suva. Visit Fiji Museum
Days 5 - 9: fly to Taveuni. 5 nights in Matei. Waterfalls at Bouma, hike to Lavena beach, snorkel
Days 10- 16: ferry to Vanua Levu (see, hardnosetheghighway, I can learn!!). Still hesitating between staying in Savusavu or Salt Lake
Days 17-21: fly to Ovalau and back to Lautoka
Days 22-24: to Blue Lagoon (3 nights)
Days 25-29: to Octopus (4 nights). On last day, return to Nadi for ongoing late evening flight (at 10:30 pm)

I am wondering if we are safe in planning to return to Nadi from Octopus the day we fly out. Are the boats quite regular or are they often late or not travelling because of weather conditions? May be I should plan to return to Nadi on day 28.
Thanks again for all your extremely helpful comments.

Should be no problem getting back for a late flight. For the last 2 years we have caught the Flyer back in to catch an 8.30pm flight (6.30 check-in) and had no problems. To make doubly sure you could take the Octopus boat - with their new boat they now do 2 trips a day, leaving Octopus at 11am and 3pm. The boat trip is faster than the Flyer as it goes direct to Vuda Marina (between Lautoka & Nadi) - trip an hour at the most, & they have a minivan which will transport you from there to the airport. I always try to avoid that last night in Nadi - might as well stay in Paradise as long as possible.
- you do know you can't fly to Lautoka? And you will be going to BL on the Flyer? So why not stay that night in Nadi as the Flyer leaves from there (Denarau).

TaiMarilyn! you are wonderful!!
I will send my requests to both Octopus and Blue Lagoon right now
Now, the more I read about the Coral Coast, the more I think I should not spend too much time there or even skip it altogether and spend more time elsewhere. May be I am wrong, but the places not to be missed seem like Sigatoka Dunes, a river trip (but then I am more interested in a sedate floating trip than in an exciting rafting excursion with lots of rapids, so I am not sure it exists) and the interior. The snorkelling and the beaches don't seem the best at all and there seems to be so much to see in other parts of the country...
This would allow me to include both Ovalau (may be 3-4 nights) and Nananu-i-rui (1-2 nights). any comments on this may be ''bold' position...

You are right abut the Coral Coast, maybe just a night or 2 so you can do the Sigatoka dunes - the river trip will probably not be sedate! In 18 years of annual trips to Fiji, every time we have stopped on the Coral Coast it has rained (and not been raining in Nadi) - so maybe I'm just prejudiced about it. Dannys sounds interesting, getting lots of notice here & on TripAdvisor. A drive up the Sigatoka River road could be interesting for you (Tongan fort is up that road anyway.) Have you a special reason to include Nananu-i-ra? From what I've read of your plans so far I just don't think it fits in your list of "to-do's"!

No, TaiMarilyn, no special reason to include Nananu-i-ra other than the recommendation of a contributor from this forum who said the snorkelling was great.
Now, this morning, I found some great villas to rent in Pacific Harbor. But this would be for a whole week and I would have to give up my Ovalau idea. and then.... you say it rains a lot.on the Coral Coast...
So for now, I have confirmed Blue Lagoon for 3 nights, Octopus for 4 nights
I am quite convinced that I wish to spend almost a week in Vanua Levu and about 4-5 nights on Taveuni
but the remaining week, I am still up in the air, unsure....
I have read all the wonderful comments about Danny Homestay, I know that my children and I would really love it but I am just not sure my husband would be comfortable in a place with a lot of people so close together (he really is a loner)
It is not easy to prepare an itinerary, really...
Would you comment on how you would go from Vanua Levu or Taveuni to the Blue Lagoon. Should we fly into Nadi the night before or should we fly into Suva and take a bus (it could be pretty via the King's Road, no?).
I guess we should really plan to be in Nadi the night before, shouldn't we? I think the boats leave in the morning. And do you recommend their own boat or the Yasawa Flyer?
I have so many questions, don't I? I really apologize but you are so helpful!! thank you so very much!!

You wrote

"I have read all the wonderful comments about Danny Homestay, I know that my children and I would really love it but I am just not sure my husband would be comfortable in a place with a lot of people so close together (he really is a loner)"

If this is the case you better leave him at home. Fiji is a country full of people who are friendly and happy to interact.

Making all this effort to plan a trip and then decide to not visit a place because one in your party might not like it is an injustice.

You are 100% right your children will love Danny's and you did say at the very top of this forum

"but we also enjoy cultural discovery."

"Raffles does have a big pool" - in fact it has TWO lovely pools.

Personally, Im not a big fan of the Sigatoka dunes. I would suggest a visit/lmeal/ etc to the town of Sigatroka

Sigatoka.

Also visit the supermarket there to stock up on supplies as in many areas the goods in small shops may have limited , possibly stale and definitely pricey.

Thanks again for all your comments. Really, they are much appreciated.
Can I ask:
1. TaiMarilyn: how will I find Mrs. Lal on Taveuni? just asking around?
2. Mandja: I have taken note of the recommendations for Sigatoka but also you said you weren't a big fan of the Sigatoka Dunes. Can you tell me a little about the why. Is it the scenery, or the difficulty walking or...? or just the overall place
and then, to all of you who recommend Danny's Homestay so very warmly, can I ask if you have been to Bobo's Farm on Ovalau and if the experience is comparable in some ways. Or then with Silana Village Homestay
Finally, I would like to go to the Namosi Highlands, I would like to do a river trip. I have read about ''bili bili'' floating down, I also wouldn't mind kayaking if not for experts, which we are not. I am not looking for an exciting rafting trip down grade III and IV rapids. Is this possible, or not?
thank you very much once again for your help
Johanne

Hi again Johanne
I perfectly understand your decision re Danny's - my husband would refuse to go too! He has spent many hours with the locals on our trips to Fiji - just likes to be able to withdraw to his own space and not be obliged to make conversation if he doesn't want to. So I'm with you there!
Nananu-i-ra - we first went there a number of years back having also had recommendations about the snorkelling. At that time we stayed at the northern end (place no longer in operation). We found that snorkelling in front of the resort was poor, found some not so bad after a long walk at low tide right round the point. In 2008 we decided to give it another go after reading more reports of how good it was. This time we stayed at McDonalds in the southern part of the island where there is a cluster of small resorts and a number of holiday homes owned by non-Fijians. The coral in front of the resorts was completely dead, but there were a number of coloured fish - nowhere near the number or variety you will see in the Yasawas. My husband who is a strong swimmer did find some live coral right out in the bay - too far for me. We did not snorkel on the other side of the island - where there is a beach renowned for wind-surfing. The operative word is wind - and it did not stop blowing the whole time we were there, and no chance of snorkelling due to the chop on the water. If there is good snorkelling there is it well hidden and we found no-one who could tell us where. Added to that the beaches are not great and almost disappear at high tide. It is VERY quiet and I honestly don't think it fits in with the rest of your plans- unless you want to just have a quiet time for a few days.
If you have already driven the Queens Road to Suva by all means consider going by bus via the Kings Road back to Lautoka/Nadi. It will be a slow hot trip, but the bus journey/passengers is an experience in itself. Be prepared to be squashed up - they often get very crowded - and if you get a local bus it will probably have loud Indian music played throughout the trip. Great scenery though - lots of hills and bush.
It would be quicker to fly back to Nadi.
Yasawas - have you booked Blue Lagoon first, Octopus next? I don't think they have own boat taking passengers up to Blue Lagoon - unless that is a recent thing & I haven't heard yet. So you would have to take the Yasawa Flyer up there, leaving Denarau Marina at 8.30am. The boat has a transfer bus (no extra charge) that picks up at all Nadi accommodations - I think way back you mentioned staying at Raffles - the bus gets there at 7.30am and you have to wait outside the hotel gate on the roadside for it. It gets up to Nacula around 12.30pm/1pm, depending on how busy they are that day, and you go via lots of other islands, dropping off & picking up passengers along the way. Then you will catch the same boat back down to Octopus, leaving around 1pm, get there around 3pm. It's your choice whether to go back to Nadi on the Flyer or on the Octopus boat. I usually prefer the Flyer as it's so much bigger, but I haven't yet been on the new Octopus boat and they tell me it's a much smoother ride than the old one. Faster too - and they will get you back much earlier if that is needed for your plane check-in.
Mrs Lal? - she was near the airport - ask where you are staying. We stayed at Bibi's which was great.
Send me a PM with an email address if you'd like to see any photos of Octopus or BL - or Nananu-i-ra.
:)

" I don't think they have own boat taking passengers up to Blue Lagoon "
I think that the people at Oarsman are happy to organise this.

" Can you tell me a little about the why. Is it the scenery, or the difficulty walking or...? or just the overall place" - its not that easy to find your way around the dunes area- poor signposting etc (at least when we went some years ago.. The "Fort" is not what I would normally call a Fort (in the Western/European sense) and was disappointing in that not much was recognisable.

Oarsmans guests arrive on the Flyer too.

Wow! the more I read all your comments, the less inclined I feel of spending our short time in Fiji on the Coral Coast. I am starting to wonder if I shouldn't spend something like 2 nights. around Suva (the Fiji Museum, a river trip in the Namosi Highlands) and then right on to Nadi and the Yasawas. This would give me an extra day either in Ovalau or in Taveuni. Because now, I have just realized that I have only 28 days (and not 29 as I forgot I was losing a day because of the dateline!!)

Yes forget the Coral Coast-there are many more interesting places to stay.

Thanks again for all your comments. They are well taken.

Well, then, scheduling can be simplified to
7 nights on Vanua Levu (Savusavu)
6 nights on Taveuni (2 nights at the southern end and 4 nights around Matei)
6 nights in Levuka (with a day trip to Caqalai)
1 night in Nadi prior to going to the Yasawas for 7 days

Is this reasonable, then?

is it also reasonable to even consider going to the Fiji Museum in Suva between planes (Taveuni to Levuka) considering we would have 5.5 hours in transit. I know the airport is out of town, that is why I ask.
Thank you very much for your incredible support! This trip would not have been the same at all without all your inputs
Johanne

Fiji Museum - you could just do it. Travel time from the airport to Suva downtown is at least 30 minutes but could be more at busy times of the day. Last time we did it the taxi cost was $20 but that was a few years ago (maybe 5?) so it will be sure to be more now. Usually quite easy to get taxis, they are hungry for business.

I have to say being a fan of the coral coast I am sad to hear you cut it short. It definately the place to go if you want to see and do some great local activities that are affordable and loads of fun for teenagers.
The waterfall horseriding tour is fantastic for teenagers. They will get to climb the cliff face and jump into the waterfall pool. - pm me for phone numbers
Everyone rubbishes the coral coast for snorkling but its the best place I have found as the marine protected area is there and has been rebuilt over the past 7 years with the help of a dedicated village and an Amercian marine biologist... awesome snorkling to be had there but you need to pm if you want phone numbers of authorised persons to take you there.
You can visit the hot springs which is lots of fun for teenagers again. Surrounded by bamboo and really lovely.
The further you head towards Suva the higher the rain fall, the Further you head towards Lautoka the less rain and hotter you will find it. Coral Coast is dead in the middle so you get your rainy days and perfect sunshine days.

Sigatoka Sand dunes is worth the visit if you have more time. But if you are basically just driving through then pick things the whole family will enjoy :-)

I have to agree with comment #24 from Thebirchadventure

The Coral Coast is nearly always dismissed as a place to visit but I usually find it is dismissed by people who have stayed in the resorts on the Coral Coast and not actually spent a great deal of time outside the resorts or spent time interacting with the locals of the Coral Coast. The resorts are in business to make money so they want the guests at their resorts to do the tours they offer and so do not like they guests venturing out and experiencing what the local Fijians have to offer on the Coral Coast.

#1 the local Fijian tourist operators offer a more peronalised experience at a fraction of the cost of that of resorts.

The snorkeling on the Coral Coast is just as good as the snorkeling out at the Yasawas or Mamanuca Islands you just need to go where the locals go.

Think like this...all the big resorts on the Coral Coast get thousands of tourist each year and they all snorkel in front of the resorts of course all the coral is going to be stood on and broken. Fish and sea life are not going to be in this area because there is dead coral.

I 100% agree with Thebirchadventure comments because I have seen it. A marine reserve on the Coral Coast with lots of big fish, big corals and huge giant clams.

And the best thing I saw it with the locals of the coral coast and the best thing was there were no tourist to be seen.

Staying and living with the locals is not everyone cup of tea but you can stay at a Coral Coast resort and venture out on a local tour and be treated to some of the best local knowlegde and hospitality Fiji has to offer.

My advice is the Coral Coast is part of Fiji with huge amount of history, culture and natural wonders It's an area that should not be dismissed especially for first time visitors to Fiji.

But I love other parts of Fiji as well. I have booked to go back in June and will be going to the Coral Coast, Yasawas and Taveuni.

OK!
back to the drawing board!! it is a good thing that I haven't reserved anything yet!!
I get your point. You are right; we are not that much into resorts and will get our share of that in the Yasawas. So, for the rest, we like simple, quiet, lovely places with people who are not overwhelmed with tourist. I had the feeling this was not possible on the Coral Coast. May be I was wrong!
Should I skip Vanua Levu and concentrate on the Coral Coast, Taveuni and Ovalau? (we have already reserved in the Yasawas for a week)
I don't want to rush too much!!
About Taveuni, TaiMarilyn, you said you stayed at Bibi's. do you recommend this place? It does get great reviews.
And lastly about Taveuni, is it possible to get to South Taveuni from near the airport for a day trip to see the blow hole or is this too far?
Thank you very much to all of you. I really appreciate all your inputs; I must admit that I am starting to have insomnia with this planification! I play with all these options, turn them around, make a revision....

.. but the planning is half the fun! (I'm enjoying your planning too!)
Yes, I would recommend Bibi's - even though it is a few years since we stayed there, their recent reviews are still good. They are a lovely family and very friendly & obliging, gave us fruit from the garden, organised a taxivan to take us to Bouma and Lavena at very reasonable cost, and for when we left there to catch the boat. It is not 5 star or anything near that, but otherwise fine. I think you would be ok going to the blowhole for a day trip but will leave it to others to comment if they have done it, as I'm not certain how long it would take.

Yes, TaiMarilyn! I can't agree more. Planning is really half the fun. every morning, I submit the night's reflexion to the group.
I am now thinking the following:
Nights 1-6: Savusavu. Will rent a cottage and may be a car to drive around
Nights 7-11: Taveuni (probably Bibi's). I hope to get to the southern part to see the Blow hole!
Nights 12-16: Levuka. Cottage or The Royal Hotel. Several day tours look quite interesting
Nights17-18: Homestay on the Coral Coast. Yes, guys, you have managed to convince the group to go for it. We will look for one closer to Sigatoka (less rain, you said). And will try to get to those activities you mentioned Thebirchadventure.
Night 19: Nadi (Raffles; with the 2 pools)
Nights 20-27: Blue Lagoon and Octopus
and then back home
with a full report!! I promise!! with all the help you have offered me it is the very least I can do!
Thanks a lot!!

I am sure you wont regret it.

The activities I mention are run by locals and not advertised so I need to pass on the numbers so you can ring them when you are there and organise it all.

To go snorkling and to visit the hot springs you need to ring Fabi on +679 - 6530064
She is an Italian lady married to a Fijian man and they run a cafe at Votua Village called "Eco Cafe". If you want to discover awesome fijian food then make sure you book an evening meal with them..... I could go on for hours about the food I have tried there and you CANNOT find genuine native fijian food in Fiji unless a local cooks it for you. I have walked into restaurants claiming to cook fijian food but its curries or chinese??? What the?

To go to the waterfall via horseback you need to ring Boro on +679 8344164. He is the land owner and does an amazing job of showing guests his waterfall. He also offers waterfal lovo's (genuine authentic fijian food cooked in a earth oven). The day is a fantastic day out. Get to the village around 10.30 by 11 you will be at the waterfall, by midday you will be eating fantastic food in a stunning setting :-) There is a lot of posts about this tour on Trip Advisor and the lastest comment was he is now showing people around his village and partaking in Kava ceremonies,,,, its a must to experience this when in Fiji :-)

Have fun :-)

45 mins from Sigatoka

http://www.fijihomestays.com/fiji_homestays_photos.htm

they do everything. Waterfall Tour, Lovo, Kava Ceremonies, let you help porepare the food for the lovo, nightime fires on the beach, guided tours of sigatoka markets, school tour, fishing, river exploring for the kids

Is this Danny's, nztourist?

Well, well. I have worked on a new itinerary and will be looking for comments before finalising my reservations. What do you think of this???

Day 1. Arrival at 13 hrs. Night at Raffles (with the poolS)

Day 2. Fly to Levuka via Suva
Nights 2 -7: Levuka (still hesitating between a cottage in the centre of Levuka and a self catering apartment at the Royal Hotel, comments?).
Activities: Lovoni Tour with Epi
Silana Daytour Arovudi
Day trip to Caqalai
Walk and cycle around Levuka

Day 8: Fly to Taveuni via Suva
Nights 8 and 9: Southern Taveuni (?Vuna Lodge)
Activities: snorkeling the Vuna reef and walk to the blow hole

Nights 10-14: Central-Northern Taveuni (?Bibi's)
Activities: Bouma Falls
Lavena Nature reserve
Snorkeling

Day 15: fly to Suva and visit Fiji Museum
Night 15: Suva Motor Inn
Day 16: river trip with Rivers Fiji
Night 16: again at the Suva Motor Inn
Day 17-20: Coral Coast (thanks for your suggestions Thebirchadventure and nztourist)
Activities:
Waterfall tour on horseback; lovo meal
Hot springs
Snorkeling in the Marine Reserve
Sigatoka dunes, Taveuni Fort
?ziplining (this must be quite expensive, no?)
Nights 17-18: Homestay
Night 19: don't know yet
Night 20: Raffles in Nadi

Day 21: Yasawa Flyer to the Blue Lagoon
Nights 21-23: the Blue Lagoon

Day 24: On to Octopus Resort
Nights 24-27 : Octopus Resort
Day 28: Fly out at night

No, the major change here is that I have dropped Vanua Levu. I have done this with a pinch of the heart because I had found a lovely cottage to rent there right on the beach outside of Savusavu ( reasonable cost, kayak included). But I realise that the islands we have selected all something very special (Ovalau: history and culture; Taveuni: beautiful, green (the description I hear and read about is similar in some ways to the one I hear of Kauai); Coral Coast: the place for exciting activities and accessible Fijian culture); Yasawas: sunshine, beauty, great for snorkeling. I guess I could keep Vanua Levu but it will mean a faster rythm, more moving around, less time to enjoy each place. And then, we do have to keep something for a next trip.
Finally, I must admit, that your selection for your upcoming return trip, nztourist, has influenced me.
What do you all think of this? Am I taking into consideration most of your recommendations? I think so and feel quite good about this itinerary. But I will wait before booking for final considerations from all of you who have been so generous with your time and suggestions.
Thank you so very much to all of you!!

Yes Danny's Village Homestay Fiji

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KH9_Ui4J3lI

the waterfall tour with sake and tupou is a good tour (sake and tupou seem to know everyone you will see what I mean when you go up to the waterfall) but the highlight for us was helping prepare the lovo (food is sensational) and the local school tour.