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i nf o c u s““spotlightThose who wander are notnecessarily lost.—Joseph StineinbriefA World ofComfortWorldMark, The Club,now includes 45resorts in fourcountries.W O R L D M A R K D I S C O V E R Y B AY / P H O T O B Y D A N S T E A R N SBY SCOTT A. COMSTOCK, OWNERKudos to Leavenworth and Discovery BayMy wife, Wendy, my daughter, Courtney, and I live in Spokane,Washington. We’ve now taken our first WorldMark vacation and hadan absolute blast!First we stayed one night in Leavenworth to meet up with mysister, her husband and my two-year-old nephew. Leavenworthintroduced us to what we’ve been missing all our previous years.My favorite part of this WorldMark resort, besides good service andan excellent unit, was taking an evening dip in the pool, gazing outat the mountains that dwarf the Bavarian-village town. I also appreciated the shallow wading pool—my daughter and nephew had agreat time in it.Next was six days at Discovery Bay. When I first booked, I wasa bit hesitant. For some reason, every shot in the Resort Guidepictures the resort from far away. Why? Well, the resort was fabulous.In fact, the unit was a two-plus bedroom (five-level split) and impressed6D E S T I N AT I O N Sus very much. We did have some adventure our first night becausethe stove elements were damaged. The resort staff kindly let us usethe stove in the clubhouse while repairs were made. While waiting,my daughter happily chased after a staff member who had somesort of bubble-making gun. There we were, watching my two-yearold girl giggling and trying to catch bubbles while the lasagna wascooking. We even shared some with the staff!We used the trip to watch the Washington State UniversityCougars tromp Nevada in Seattle, and even managed to see theMariners win a game. We visited the Woodland Park Zoo, ate at agreat restaurant in Port Townsend called the Public House (go thereif you can) and visited the Olympic Game Farm (probably the mostmemorable of events).Needless to say, we had a great WorldMark vacation and hopeour next one to Long Beach is as much fun.

Online Reservations are ClickingBYP E G G Y F R Y,DIRECTOR OFOWNER SERVICESWorldMark is very pleased to announcethat its online reservation system hassuccessfully completed all testing and isnow available to North American ownerswho register at The Club’s Web site. Thesystem allows WorldMark owners toconveniently book resort stays on theInternet. Get on the Web and check it out!You can start using the new system byregistering at www.worldmarktheclub.com.Just click “Owners Only,” go to the registration form and enter your owner information. (All owner information on theWorldMark Web site is stored on secureservers, so you don’t have to worry aboutunauthorized people getting access to it.)You’ll have to enter a valid e-mail addressso that we can send you the PersonalIdentification Number (PIN) that gives youaccess to the system.Want to give this new feature a try?If your owner account is current on duesand contract payments, you’re ready!You can use the online system to bookboth vacation credit and Bonus Time resortstays. The Web site’s help section givesyou tips on how to use the system, andthe “Resorts” area offers information onresort amenities and area activities. Youcan even download resort confirmationbrochures to help you plan your trip.Be sure to keep your e-mail addressupdated to guarantee that you will receiveconfirmation e-mails when you book yourvacations on the WorldMark Web site.See you online.Victoria, BCConstruction is moving along nicely on this beautiful Vancouver Island resort. Framingof the building’s west tower and rough utility work are now complete, and sheetrockis proceeding on floors 6 and 7. Concrete framing on the east tower is done, andrough utility work and sheetrock are continuing on floors 1 through 4. The 92-condoproject is scheduled for completion this winter, which means WorldMark owners canbe vacationing on the Victoria waterfront in Spring 2003.Sonoma County, CAWith most of Phase I’s 150 units slated to open next summer, this NorthernCalifornia construction site is hopping. Off-site work, site utilities and infrastructureare 95% complete; rough plumbing and elevator pits have been placed onbuildings 2 through 6; the concrete slabs for buildings 1, 1A and 2 through 5 arefinished and framing is now underway on these structures. Get ready to sip theaward-winning vintages of California’s “other Wine Country.”Thanksgiving ClosuresOngoing ProjectsIn honor of Thanksgiving, the ReservationsDepartment will be closed all day ber 28. Reservations will be open from 6Seaside, OR283Summer 2003Framing to finishinga.m. to 2 p.m., November 29 throughSouth Shore, NV—Phase II8Summer 2003Foundations to framingDecember 1.Solvang, CA90Spring 2004Planning approvalsAngels Camp, CA—Phase II88Summer 2003Grading to mechanical,electrical, plumbingrough-inInformation as of September 27, 2002.Owner Services will be closed November 28 through December 1 for theholiday. Trendwest Travel will be closedNovember 28 and 29, open from 8 a.m.to 2 p.m. on November 30, and closedDecember 1.

B YD O U GH A M P T O NYou swim up to theWorldMark DenarauIsland bar in the largestpool in the South Pacific, order anorange juice and lie back to let yourjet lag float away. You’re in verdant,tropical Fiji, watching tufted whiteclouds under deep blue skies on themain island of Viti Levu. Kids laughin the children’s pool. You smell meatgrilling in the resort’s central barbecuearea. Tonight, you’ll attend a pit-ovenlovo feast and classical meke dance, ormaybe just cook something simplefrom the resort store, listen to a littlemusic and drift off to sleep in airconditioned comfort.With WorldMark’s private balconies and direct beach access, theDenarau Golf and Racquet Club nextdoor and a wealth of entertainmentwithin walking distance, you mightbe content never straying from Denarau. But perhaps the local marinawill tempt you out for a desert isleexcursion or a cruise to colorful coralreefs to snorkel amid strange andbrilliant fish. Luscious fruits, fragrantIndian spices, ancient crafts andbustling restaurants might draw youto the shops and outdoor market innearby Nadi (pronounced Nan-dee)The open-faced kindness, simplehappiness and curiosity of the Englishspeaking locals could stimulate thesame qualities in yourself, drawingyou into the land and its people. You’lllearn to say “bula” for “hello” and“vinaka” for “thank you,” and will bewarmed by the smiles returned. Maybeyou’ll ask the resort tour desk to helpyou visit a traditional village in thesteep, green mountains. Or you’ll puton a flower print sulu, mingle withlocals on the bus, or join a song-filledkava ceremony or church service. Fijiwill find you. Sooner or later, you’rebound to go native.Getting Into theIslandsFiji is a newly independent nation ofabout 300 islands and 540 islets some1,300 miles north of New Zealand.About 100 islands are inhabited, the

sea diving. Underwater, thesheer variety of life around thereefs is a major attraction.Divers and snorkelers communewith millions of fish, turtles,giant clams and soft corals withshapes like mushrooms, fingersand honeycombs.There are numerous waysto access the islands—ferries,seaplanes, cruises, even helicopters operate out of Nadi. Ifsailing is your passion,drive north from theresort past cane fieldsfronting the SabetoMountains to the livelyseaport sugar town ofLaukota, where you canboard a 140-foot-long,three-masted schoonerbound for Tai Island.You’ll enjoy a picniclunch and snorkel in thecoral reef waters, andcan link up with cruisesto other isles.ABOVE: One of Fiji’s many photogenicbays. LEFT: Serving the ceremonialkava. OPPOSITE PAGE: Preparing forthe evening’s festivities.PHOTO COURTESY OF FIJI VISITORS BUREAUrest being left as alluringly pristine nature reserves.Seafaring Polynesians settled Fiji about 3,500 years ago,and Melanesians pushed intothe area 2,000 years later. Britishexplorer James Cook foundwarlike cannibals here in thelate 1700s. But a century later,capitalism had replaced cannibalism as the British assumedcontrol and missionaries converted the population to Christianity. The colonial government imported indenturedlaborers from India to maintainthe village system and protectnative Fijians from exploitation.Today, Indian Fijians make upnearly half the country’s population of 800,000 and generallyrun the shops and cut the sugarcane, while the ethnic Fijiansown most of the land. This hasmade for some difficult politicssince independence was grantedin 1970. But at street level,courtesy and respect characterizerelations between the peoples.And for visitors, the mosquesand Hindu temples of IndianFijian settlements give interestto the landscape much like theindigenous Fijian thatched burebuildings do, while Indiancurries, breads and soups addvariety to rich, meaty and mellow Fijian home cooking andcontinental restaurant fare.Beautiful diversity is foundin many aspects of the archipelago. From the Denarau shore,you can spot a few of theMamanucas, a scenic cluster of20 volcanic, limestone or coralsand islands of varying sizes andshapes with incredible beachesand offshore reefs. Small, sandyisles support coconut palms,others have grasslands and dryforest. Most have a Fijian villageor resort community offering avariety of activities, from windsurfing and kayaking to deep-Local Craftsand CultureNadi, with its internationalairport, great bus system, numerous taxis and tour operators,is the tourism hub of westernViti Levu and the third-largestcommunity on the island. It’sa hot, relatively dry town of20,000 people strung along theQueen’s Highway, the mainroute around the western perimeter of the island. Nadi maynot have much in the way ofaboriginal or colonial charm,but it’s a great place to shop fortraditional crafts, arrange boating and snorkeling excursions,and join trips to the spectacularmountains and villages of theNausori Highlands. Its largeIndian population also makesNadi a great place to sampleFiji Indian food, while supermarkets supplement the traditional open-air market forhome-cooked meals at yourWorldMark resort.Venture into Nadi’s marketand shops to buy fine folk craftsmade by methods that date backmany centuries. Look for wallhangings, handbags and placemats of tapa or masi, an inexpensive, felt-soft cloth madefrom pounded and sun-driedpaper mulberry bark andstained with red clay and blackburned candlenuts in rhythmicgeometric designs. Also seek outthe hand-molded clay-and-sandpottery that is still made in afew villages by methods thousands of years old: pots areheated over an open fire andvarnished with tree gum tobring out the color and improvethe pot’s ability to hold water.The cooking vessels are fragile,but sturdier items like animalfigurines are made for visitors.Fijian woodcarving is in abit of decline since there isn’tmuch call for war clubs orcannibal forks these days, butthose items—as well as carvedbowls—are still made. You’llfind drinking bowls in thesection of the market whereyaqona is sold. This pepper plantroot is used for making Fiji’smildly sedative national drink,kava, which seems to be a partof any and all festivities.A fun yet practical purchase would be a sulu, a lightweight wraparound sarongworn by both men and womenthat can double as a towel ordressing gown. Wear it overshorts or beachwear wheneverthe occasion calls for modesty,such as during village visits.You’ll feel very Fijian.November 20029

stcaFijFiGetting Into theCountryYou have two basic options for seeing the villagesof Fiji: Join a formal tour, or pass through onyElectricitt in Fiji is 240 volts, 50roads or trails. (Never walk into a Fijian villagerical t’s rude.) Tours can give you anto bringe pleasant year-r e 80scycles. Be surepliances. (WorldTemperatures arthapalinsonghrshipeintimate look at village life, with dinnerserfoimtersdaytyersthe coast, with e 70s. June to October adap enarau Island includes blow drDcooked in a lovo pit oven, river swimming,thMarkand evenings in.)r to April isomberoemthecbaD;cheaoninwaterfall visits, songfests over the kava bowlis the dry seasne often, though sunshiand maybe even nuanced meke story dances,the rainy season not usually a nuisance. Time ZoneMeanisd of Greenwicheaahsurfollows rain, and is November to April.ho12in which the village chief takes part. They13Fiji isto October. It’scharMHurricane seasonomnfrehewTimoften involve overnight stays and may beber to February,and Visatsforurs ahead Novem is in effect. In otherhomore expensive than independent travel.Passportsketimeu will need a ticdaylight savingss ahead ofurho20To enter Fiji, yo d a passport valid fortlyYou can rent a car in Fiji for your ownencurran- words, Fiji is .ndteinyour departureuryondstexplorations, but you’ll have to watch outths beyothe West Coaat least three mon t necessary for staysnoefor roaming livestock, unwary pedestriansarasised stay. VippingTraged.ous.scthdiisonmngpiurand speeding sugar trains while negotiatingtipup to foAmerican-stylespeed bumps and remembering to driveersClothingney Mattdonsive to showorrentfecuMofheedTerr.idon the left side of the road, so it’s reallyllanscojie FiIn Fiji, it’ssuits should only The currency is th t 1 USD to 2 FJD.nghiatB.inskhnot recommended. Publicoutown.te is abtoo muce pool—not into irt, exchange ra our ANZ Bank branch atthndouarnortransportation—buses, ferries, airplanesbe wThe 24-hays wear a shcharges a feeMen should alw ses or shortsational Airport nks andrnteIniand taxis—is widely available, reasonablyesaddrN’ser baand womenr theiransaction. Othtrvecochlyeatert.fouanoeqpriced, entertaining and a great way toFiji doshould adNZ branches inArt.osheedmotatseatleedhiptmingle with the people.accelegs wCredit cards are companies, dutyniourttoadIt’s especially cheap and engagingtanrelouresorts, travTransp ok your airfarestaurants, but yoreemsodboanstojoinIndian and Fijian locals aboardnel cahenfree shopTrendwest Traveles is 10cash on hand wngveAshaLototomanfrwthe ancient, noisy, smoke-belching busesr thatto Fiji. Airtime . Taxis will be lined up willareas. Remembeesexploring rural an airport departurethat serve all parts of Viti Levu. Helphours, 40 minut ternational Airportyi Inyou’ll need to pa person in Fiji currency.outside the Nad to settle on your fareyour fellow passengers roll tarps overperretax of 20 FJDconcourse. Be su (To WorldMark Dethe open-air windows if it rains. Busest.aubefore setting ou SD is a fair charge.)itors Bureaeu’s Web site isisVcan be caught at numerous roadsideU 8,Burnarau Islando types of buses: The Fiji Visitorstwebearnecaerythstands, and you can even flag themheji,TIn Fi“stage” www.bulafiji.com.v.fj orstops) and localdgoiteb.ifvlimfijith@(wsksdown in the country. Several comexpresreached at infodestops).(with unlimited r is not recommended, 1-800-932-3454.panies also offer express, aira caThough renting s are honored. Drivingconditioned bus service to the majorsevalid drivers licen the road.ofis on the left side

PHOTO COURTESY OF FIJI VISITORS BUREAULEFT: Snorkelers drift above the islands’cities—less interesting, perhaps, but alsomore comfortable. Minibus and returntaxi service also are available around Nadi.The Coral CoastA delightful self-directed excursion is aday-long bus tour of the Coral Coast, 50miles of barrier reef beaches and pristinewaters on the sheltered southern side ofViti Levu. Large stretches of uninhabitedrain forest surround resorts and fishingvillages scattered along beaches, bays androcky outcroppings that rise steeply intothe volcanic mountains. Head out ofNadi past the great multicolored pile ofSri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple onthe left, then roll through sugar canefields and pine plantations. A few milessouth of Nadi, some buses will take an18-mile detour to Momi Bay throughfarmland, cane fields and pine plantations, past small temples and mosques.About 30 miles southeast of yourWorldMark resort, you’ll catch a magnificent hilltop view of the Fijian Resort,one of the islands’ original vacationretreats, surrounded by sandy beachesand colorful coral reefs on a 109-acreisland in a private bay. On the highwaynear the resort, the Coral Coast Railwayoffers scenic trips to the beach on an oldsugar train through villages, plantationsand undeveloped land to Natadola—thebest beach on the island, which mosttourists never see. Body surf the big wavesif you’re a strong swimmer, hunt for shellsin the gorgeous white sand, snorkel inthe tide pools and buy a green coconutfor a refreshing drink. At the Ka LevuCentre, you can see a reconstructed preEuropean Fijian village.renowned collection of sea life.OPPOSITE PAGE: WorldMark DenarauIsland glows in the early evening light.(photo by Rich Monson)Another nine miles along Queen’sRoad is Sigatoka, a plain little farmingtown with a gorgeous mosque, an abundant municipal market, and access tosome of Fiji’s most picturesque landscapesand traditional villages. Hop on an openair bus for a four-hour trip to Keiyasiand back through the spectacular volcanichills of the Sigatoka Valley. You’ll windpast Fijian villages, Indian settlements,grassy scrub hillsides, and a colorfulpatchwork of small farms growingpeanuts, corn, taro root, peppers andpassion fruit. Handmade bamboo raftsand small boats filled with cabbages,corn, tomatoes and tobacco float downthe muddy Sigatoka River to market. Atthe villages of Nakabuta or Lawaii, hopoff the bus and ask about the local pottery.You’ll be taken to a bure showing thesmooth, low-fired cooking pots traditional in the lower Sigatoka Valley.South of town, Sigatoka Sand DunesNational Park is one of Fiji’s most exquisite sights. Walk along three miles ofundulating hillocks of soft, powdery graybrown sand, grass and vines for vistas ofgreen mountains and blue ocean. Archaeological digs and the wind continue toreveal skeletons and pottery artifactsdating back 2,000 years. (Don’t removeany bones or shards—it’s illegal.)Surfing and windsurfing along thisstretch of coastline can be excellent, butthe seas are dangerous for swimmers.it’s the peopleThe joy of vacationing in Fiji involvesmingling with its gentle people as muchas sightseeing, relaxing or playing in thewater. Getting to know the locals is easyto do because our shared British colonialhistory gives us a common language thatreaches across our civilizations, helpingus appreciate each other more fully. Theislands’ landscapes, produce and lifestylesare wonderfully exotic, but the peoplemake it seem like home. Vinaka, Fiji!Nadi NotablesDiningContinental Cakes & Pizza (Main Street,opposite Mobil Station) has delicious coffee,rolls and cakes, and three sizes of pizza. AtCardo’s Steakhouse & Bar (Port DenarauMarina), dine on succulent char grilled steaksand fish—with a view. Make reservations atChefs The Restaurant (Sangayam Road) for aromantic, candlelit dinner. Extremely spicy IndoFijian fare can be found at Mid-Town CurryRestaurant (Clay Street). South Indian dishesare the specialty of Hot Snax Shop (NavitiStreet) in nearby Lautoka.ShoppingJust north of your resort, you can browse theupscale boutiques at the Sheraton Fiji Resort.Sogo Fiji (Queen’s Road) has tropical clothingand beachwear. Nad’s Handicrafts (north endof town) sells nice pottery. Jack’s Handicrafts(off Main Street, opposite Morris Hedstrom)offers a wide selection of reasonably pricedhandcrafts, clothing, jewelry and paintings bylocal artists. Fine woven baskets ca

WorldMark resorts. White Sale save on winter fun WorldMark The Canadian 604-684-3500 Take in a Vancouver Canucks hockey game for 10% off the regular rate. WorldMark Leavenworth 509-548-1419 Discounted lift tickets to both Mission Ridge and Stevens Pass available at a savings of 10%. Make Your Vote Count For your Club to do business continuously .