In this episode we talk about how strategic location and comfort make Hexagon properties the ideal beginning or end to your Fijian adventure. Host Normand Schafer discusses how Tokatoka’s proximity to Nadi Airport and the ferry terminals helps streamline transitions to the islands or back home — giving you more time to explore and less time in transit.

In this episode we talk about the bold mix of speed and substance behind Go Dirty Tours Fiji. Host Normand Schafer explores how the tours go beyond typical quad biking with stops at sacred sites, local homes, and natural wonders. Hear what it's like to ride from city streets to jungle trails, all in a single day.

In this episode we talk about First Landing Resort’s fascinating origin story and how it shapes the guest experience. Host Normand Schafer explores how this culturally rich property serves as a base for both exploration and relaxation. Whether you’re heading out on day trips or staying local for traditional dancing and storytelling, the adventure starts here — where Fiji’s story began.

In this episode we talk about traveling through both land and spirit in the ancestral village sites of Haida Gwaii. Norman Shaffer meets Gidinjad, a cultural guide and Watchman with decades of experience welcoming travelers into the spiritual heart of the Guaihanes region. We explore the village sites of Skedans, Tanu, Hot Springs, and SGang Gwaay, revealing their enduring role as places of healing, memory, and ceremony. 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.

Gidinjad shares moving stories of his grandchildren learning to live as their ancestors did—fishing, foraging, and feeling the spirit of these villages. Learn about the philosophy behind letting mortuary poles return naturally to the Earth and how the interconnectedness of all life guides Haida tradition. This is not just a podcast about history or travel; it is about the presence of ancestors, the power of cultural renewal, and how every visitor can step gently into that sacred continuum.

Visit https://farandawayadventures.com if you would like to book a trip to any of the places we discuss.

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 fascinating transformation of Fiji Orchid — once home to actor Raymond Burr — into a tropical sanctuary for modern travelers. Normand Schafer uncovers how the property has kept its cinematic legacy alive while evolving into one of Fiji’s most peaceful getaways. Whether you’re a film buff or serenity seeker, this is a place where story and setting come together.

In this episode, we talk about Skedans (K’una), a site that rests gently on the edge of Haida Gwaii, yet stands boldly in the history of the Haida people. Norm interviews Watchman Melanie, whose deep familial ties to this “village on the edge” guide the conversation into themes of heritage, respect, and spiritual presence. 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.

Once home to more than 600 people, Skedans today is a mosaic of fallen and standing poles, grassy trails, and whispers of ceremony. Melanie reveals how mortuary poles housed the deceased in bentwood boxes and how their deliberate return to the earth is a sacred act—not a failure of preservation, but a triumph of belief.

Learn how visitors often arrive confused about why the Haida don’t move or restore their poles, and leave enlightened by their understanding of nature, death, and spiritual ecology. Melanie’s advice? Visit the Haida Heritage Centre twice—before and after your site tours—for a fuller experience.

This isn’t just a walk among ruins. It’s a meeting with memory itself. Start your next passport stamp at 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 Skung Gwaii, an ancient village nestled at the remote southern tip of Guaihanes, where mortuary poles lean into the forest and history whispers through mist and waves. Host Norm speaks with Haida Watchman Teresa Russ, who shares her lived experience of growing up immersed in Haida tradition and now serves as a steward of this revered UNESCO site. 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.

From tales of supernatural beings and traditional cedar harvesting to reflections on resilience in the face of cultural erasure, Teresa offers a deeply personal window into the values that shaped her people and continue to sustain them. Learn how Skung Gwaii was selected for UNESCO designation, how visitors often arrive in awe and leave transformed, and how this site remains a testament to the enduring strength of the Haida Nation.

Whether you're seeking adventure or a deeper understanding of the places you travel to, this episode invites you to move beyond sightseeing and into soul-seeing. This is a journey of culture, spirituality, and environmental stewardship you won’t want to miss.

Explore it for yourself at https://farandawayadventures.com.

In this episode we talk about turning your travel nightmare into a strategic win, even when airlines like Air Canada throw a wrench in your plans. Host [Your Name] dives deep into practical methods for dealing with large-scale flight disruptions, including how to survive long waits at the airport, navigate rebooking strategies, and stay one step ahead of recovery timelines. With insights gained from decades of guiding travelers through political unrest, border shutdowns, and airline collapses, this episode delivers the tools to keep your adventure alive, even amid turbulence. Whether you're planning your next big trip or currently in the thick of it, this episode will help you pack flexibility and resourcefulness into your passport toolkit. Explore hassle-free adventure planning at Far and Away Adventures.