In this episode we talk about what truly sets InterContinental Fiji apart from other luxury resorts in the South Pacific. Normand Schafer shares behind-the-scenes insights from his visit and conversation with the team, covering everything from beach access to the resort’s sustainability efforts.
In this episode we talk about the real guest experience at one of Fiji’s best-known international resorts. Normand Schafer walks through room types, dining highlights, pools, and amenities, offering listeners a personal, unbiased view of Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa. Get a feel for the atmosphere, the service, and whether it’s the right fit for your next island trip.
In this episode we talk about how Hexagon Hotels deliver value without sacrificing charm. Normand Schafer speaks with staff members about the group’s emphasis on Fijian hospitality, great food, and flexible options — whether you’re a couple, solo traveler, or business guest. Affordable, accessible, and authentic: this is a great “just travel” option.
In this episode we talk about how to add excitement to your Fiji itinerary with Go Dirty Tours. Host Normand Schafer chats with the team about their most popular rides, safety tips for first-timers, and what makes a muddy ride through sugar cane fields so incredibly memorable. It’s an accessible, wild experience you’ll never forget.
In this episode we talk about how First Landing Resort blends affordability with an authentic island vibe. Host Normand Schafer discusses how travelers can enjoy beachside bures, cultural shows, and local hospitality without the high-end price tag. Ideal for mid-range travelers, backpackers, and romantic escapes alike, this is a real look at value with heart.
In this episode we talk about the powerful emotional and spiritual experience of visiting Haida Gwaii’s ancient village sites. Host Norman Shaffer meets with Gidinjad, who has served as a Haida Watchman and guide for over 35 years. Together they explore the essence of places like Skedans, Windy Bay, Skungway, and the UNESCO site SGang Gwaay. Each location is a chapter in the Haida story, with monumental mortuary poles, moss-covered beams, and oceanfront histories that pulse with life even centuries after their creation. Book your journey into Haida heritage at https://farandawayadventures.com. Discover how you can walk through living Haida stories at Far and Away Adventures.com.You’ll hear how ancestral energy still shapes these lands—from the echoes of drumming in the night to the joy felt by visitors who come seeking connection. Whether it’s the healing waters of Hot Springs Island or the silent reverence of Tanu, Gidinjad reminds us that these sacred sites aren’t just visited—they are felt. This is an episode for travelers who believe that some places are not simply destinations, but spiritual revelations.
Visit https://farandawayadventures.com if you would like to book a trip to any of the places we discuss.
In this episode we talk about the laid-back charm of Fiji Orchid, a boutique retreat just 15 minutes north of Nadi. Host Normand Schafer chats with the resort’s team to learn how the resort blends indoor-outdoor living, spa services, and a world-class restaurant into a calm, curated experience. If you love simplicity with style, this episode is your guide to understated luxury.
In this episode, we talk about a destination where history is etched into every cedar pole and silence carries the stories of a people who endured and thrived. Join Norm as he journeys to SG̱ang Gwaay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Haida Gwaii, and speaks with Watchman Teresa Russ. Teresa, whose family roots tie directly to the RavenWolf Clan of Tanu, offers rich insights into the Haida worldview and the cultural strength preserved in these haunting remains. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage.
You’ll hear how this site—long untouched by modern development—serves as a powerful reminder of the Haida people’s survival through epidemics, colonial displacement, and forced relocation. Teresa reflects on her upbringing in the wilderness and the importance of keeping the Haida language, traditions, and ceremonies alive. The episode explores the layered stories of this site, from the carvings on mortuary poles to a 2018 windstorm that unearthed long-buried trade beads and stone artifacts.
SG̱ang Gwaay invites visitors not to rush, but to pause and feel the presence of generations. Through Teresa’s stories, you’ll understand the powerful connection between the land, sea, and spirit that defines the Haida experience. And why visiting SG̱ang Gwaay is more than travel—it’s an invitation to witness cultural truth.
For your next immersive travel experience, visit https://farandawayadventures.com.
More information on Haida cultural sites: Haida cultural sites – Gwaii HaanasNational Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and HaidaHeritage Site
In this episode, we talk about the vibrant village of K’una—better known as Skedans—once a bustling Haida trading hub and now a peaceful site of cultural reflection. Host Norm meets with Watchman Melanie, who brings her personal heritage and deep knowledge to the forefront as she guides us through this historical place. Book your journey into Haida heritage at https://farandawayadventures.com. Discover how you can walk through living Haida stories at Far and Away Adventures.com.
We learn how Skedans once hosted up to 700 residents and was known for its lively atmosphere, ceremonies, and communal spirit. Melanie details the mortuary poles still standing and why the Haida choose not to preserve them artificially. Instead, these carved cedar monuments are allowed to return to the earth as part of the natural order.
With stories of shallow carvings made by ancient tools and emotional insights into the site’s energy, this episode offers a raw and respectful look at Haida beliefs and the importance of cultural continuity. Skedans is more than a destination—it’s an invitation to see time, death, and memory differently.
Visit Skedans through Far and Away Adventures at https://farandawayadventures.com.
In this episode we talk about how to navigate the uncertainty of canceled flights, unconfirmed bookings, and travel emergencies caused by the Air Canada strike. Whether you're currently stuck at the airport or urgently need to book a flight, Normand Schafer shares clear and actionable travel hacks that get results. Discover how to use a multi-channel approach—combining in-person presence, online rebooking, and call center tricks—to get moving again. You’ll also learn about alternative routes, border-crossing solutions, and when it's worth rerouting through an entirely different country to reach your destination. This episode is packed with real examples, from clients rerouted through Europe to avoid delays in Canada to using flexible itineraries to piece together complex trips. Ready to take the stress out of sudden travel challenges? Plan your next trip with confidence by visiting Far and Away Adventures.
In this episode we talk with John Checketts of Fiji Airways about the science and strategy of airline route planning. Host Normand Schafer explores how destinations are chosen, what data goes into launching a new flight, and how seasonal demand and traveler preferences are factored into the network. A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how your next dream vacation is mapped out—before you even book it.
In this episode we talk about a story of travel rooted not in sightseeing, but in standing still—holding ground. Our Haida elder guide takes us back to the moment in 1985 when elders, youth, and families formed a human line at Windy Bay to stop clear-cut logging. Their protest, steeped in tradition and courage, would evolve into the protected land we now know as Gwaii Haanas. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage. Discover more at Far and Away Adventures.com.
The episode uncovers how figures like Miles Richardson Jr. helped secure not just legal protection but long-term funding and infrastructure for the community. The pole raised in 2013—carved by Haida artists and rich with ancestral symbols—stands as a physical embodiment of that success. We learn what each animal and spirit represents, how ceremonies and potlatches honor the land, and why every visitor to this pole becomes a witness to the story it tells.
It’s a lesson in how travel can teach us not just about places, but about purpose.
If this inspires your next journey, visit https://farandawayadventures.com.
In this episode we talk about the beautiful and sacred Hot Water Island of Haida Gwaii, where natural hot springs offer more than just warmth—they offer a connection to generations of Haida tradition. With insights from Dalen Moody, a Haida Watchman who now stewards this land, we learn how this remote destination is carefully maintained and protected. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage. Discover more at Far and Away Adventures.com.
Dalen discusses the daily work of cleaning the pools, managing trails, and watching over sensitive wildlife like the endangered little brown bats. He reflects on how the island fosters a slower, more mindful way of living—one that surprises many visitors. You’ll hear about the cultural respect expected here and the value of disconnecting from tech to reconnect with nature.
This isn’t just travel. It’s transformational.
Ready for your own unforgettable escape? Visit https://farandawayadventures.com.
In this episode we talk about what happens when high-tech tools meet heritage tourism. Normand Schafer interviews leaders from Far Sight Innovations Consultancy about their work designing platforms that help tourists connect with authentic Pacific Island experiences. Learn how these tools benefit both travelers and local communities by simplifying discovery, bookings, and engagement—all without losing the human touch.
In this episode we talk about the powerful interplay between ancient tradition and present‑day life in Haida Gwaii. Our guest, Douglas Moody, shares his journey from growing up in sacred Watchmen sites like Tanu to supporting these same places as a marine operator for the Haida Watchmen program today. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage. Discover more at Far and Away Adventures.com.
Raised in the forests and along the waters of Haida Gwaii, Douglas offers a moving account of how family, ceremony, and hands‑on experience shaped his deep cultural knowledge. He now covers up to 400 kilometers in a single day by boat to deliver supplies and check in on the guardians of these remote locations. His work ensures that heritage is not just protected but honored through everyday care and presence.
We explore the history of Tanu Village, once a hub for over 500 people, now resting quietly with massive cedar beams reclaimed by moss and time. Douglas also delves into the impact of the smallpox epidemic, which led to the consolidation of Haida communities and the preservation of their culture in places like Skidegate.
This episode offers a personal, heartfelt window into how Haida traditions live on through memory, resilience, and daily devotion. If the stories of these islands inspire your travel dreams, visit https://farandawayadventures.com.
In this episode, we talk about the environmental and cultural transformation sparked by the 1985 Haida protests at Windy Bay. Our conversation with Reg Max Wesley takes us deep into the roots of the movement that protected Haida lands from destructive logging and forever changed how this part of the world is seen. The peaceful approach—led by elders with courage and honor—resulted in the creation of Gwaii Haanas and the symbolic raising of the Legacy Pole in 2013. Reg shares how traditional carvers, ceremonial practices, and communal storytelling are woven into the legacy of that pole, and what it means for future generations. We reflect on what it’s like to visit such a sacred place and how this living history continues to educate and inspire all who travel here. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage. Discover more at Far and Away Adventures.com.
In this episode we talk about how travel becomes transformative through the work of the Duvata Collective. Host Normand Schafer dives into how this grassroots initiative connects visitors with local stories, sacred sites, and sustainable land practices. Hear why many travelers describe their time with Duvata not as a tour — but as a homecoming. Simple, powerful, unforgettable.
In this episode we talk about immersive travel rooted in Haida Gwaii’s community and ecosystems. Shelly Sansom, founder of Ocean Edge Expeditions, shares her decision to leave office life and develop tours that bring guests into genuine connection with local Haida culture and the land. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage. Discover more at Far and Away Adventures.com.
Shelly explains how her small‑group expeditions include cultural exchanges—starting with a Haida elders’ feast and continuing through visits to local artists, forest walks, and paddling trips. Guests meet Haida carver Joel Edenshaw, watch poles progress from raw logs to storytelling sculptures, and learn about how indigenous stewardship shaped this place.
Through all these experiences, visitors often describe peace, belonging, and a deepened appreciation for communities that continue to cultivate tradition. This episode is a guidepost for travelers who want to immerse responsibly and meaningfully in an indigenous context.
Consider Haida Gwaii for your next enriching destination—explore with Far and Away Adventures https://farandawayadventures.com.
In this episode we talk about the power of place shaped by community, heritage, and identity. Linda Tallis, Haida guide and cultural interpreter, walks listeners through Haida Gwaii—from poles raised after decades of absence to bushwhacks through moss-draped forests and canoe routes once used by ancestral generations. Visit https://farandawayadventures.com to plan your expedition into the heart of Haida heritage. Discover more at Far and Away Adventures.com.
Linda shares personal stories: returning to Skidans after life off-island, becoming Skidans watchman, and later working as a cultural interpreter. She discusses the meanings behind pole lineages, clan systems (eagle and raven moieties), matrilineal succession, and how cultural protocol is observed when visiting heritage sites.
Through simple, respectful exploration—kayak shore landings, trekking along story trail routes, and quiet listening across ancestral sites—Linda underscores that true travel requires humility, permission, and readiness to learn. This episode is for those who want more than just a photo—it’s for those who want understanding.
Explore Haida Gwaii the right way—visit Far and Away Adventures for guided cultural travel https://farandawayadventures.com.
In this episode we talk about the immersive experience of visiting Culture Village Fiji, where travelers are welcomed not as tourists, but as guests. Host Normand Schafer walks through the day’s highlights — warrior dances, kava rituals, storytelling under palm trees — all designed to spark wonder and respect. If you're interested in culture, this is Fiji at its finest.
