A cruise around the Fijian Islands is as close to paradise as it gets, writes Wally Cowin.

In just over three hours our new Pacific Blue 737 had us in the tropical haze of the Nadi tarmac. “Bula! Welcome to Fiji,” smiled our taxi driver.”

Our first destination: the Radisson Resort, the newest resort to open on Denarau Island.

Our resort arrival was heralded with enthusiastic drumming, and the earthy hollow sounds will stay with me forever. More “Bula” and we were presented with a shell necklace for good luck.

Sunset at the Radisson resort is a special time, celebrated with a flaming torch lighting display. Invited guests join local villagers donning traditional grass skirts and warrior make up and shouting “Bula!” every time a new lamp is lit.

The resort’s Nautilus restaurant boasts a swim-up cocktail bar, a daily international buffet breakfast, a la carte menu, all at beach level. The Orchid Lounge in the hotel foyer overlooks a waterfall with its own built in day spa at the Harmony Retreat -- pure luxury.

Denarau Island’s resorts are connected by the free open-air Denerau shuttle busses (called Bula busses) that depart every 20 minutes – in Fiji time.

The marina at port Denarau hosts many restaurants along with a post office, bakery, bank and bottle shop.

Port Denarau is also home to Captain Cook Cruises’ M.V Dro Ki Cakau, once known as the Proud Lady Hawkesbury.

Our stateroom on the promenade deck featured floor to ceiling windows that allowed us to lay in bed and watch the passing parade. All cabins are air conditioned with ample wardrobe space, under-bunk storage, 240 volt power and en-suite, which is ideal for cruising around the southern Yasawa Islands for a week.

Captain Cook Cruises know some special places and have exclusive landing rights on the once volcanic Waya Sewa Island, where the Namara Village schoolkids proudly show their projects and perform melodic folk songs and nursery rhymes from an international song book.

Our ship’s crew also double as entertainers and educators, showing us traditional dress and performing songs in Fijian and English in the restaurant after dinner.

One night we were transferred to Yalobi village for the Lovo feast, a traditional fish, pork, pumpkin dinner cooked in an earth oven using hot rocks in the sand. We also participated in the village Kava ceremony dressed in bright blue-green Bula shirts and frangipani sarongs.

After the feast the villagers performed the 'Meke' and a song of farewell, the Isa Lei, as we departed on our glass bottom boat back to the ship.

Useful websites: captaincook.com.au , jasons.com , BulaFiji.com .