Fiji (South Pacific Islands) > Reviews (11)

Fiji. A small pocket of paradise in the South Pacific, which is breathtaking to even the most seasoned world citizen.

The first thing to strike you as you set foot for the first time on their soil is the Fijian people who have a calm, happy and down to earth nature about them. Fiji is a culturally diverse country although a good majority of the population is Indian and their cultural influences are ever present in the small town of Nadi (pronounced “nan-dee”), which is a short distance from the International airport. Nadi is a bustling little town bursting with people, arts and crafts and food at the markets, which are held on a regular basis. The main industry in Nadi is tourism where there are countless shops selling souvenirs and duty free goods. Shop owners are standing outside their stores ushering prospective customers inside in a flurry of madness. The main reason you would go into one store and not another is to enjoy the air conditioning for a few minutes as all the shops sell exactly the same products. Fiji in the warmer months is overwhelming with heat and humidity especially in the crowded streets of Nadi where the middle class family on holiday will be smothered by Indians selling their wares and sometimes even themselves as guides and others just blatantly asking for money.
Nadi is worth about a half-day of walking around the streets and will get very boring very quickly and can be very stressful.

A small cab fare from Nadi are the mainland resorts such as the Sheraton and the Royal Denarau. When I say “small” cab fare, maybe about FJD$10 if you’re lucky as the Indian cabbies will not hesitate to rip you off if given the chance. A classic line is “Oh, I don’t have change for your $20 bill”. It’s just the way they run their business. When you reach the resorts you are finally secluded from the madness these people create and are welcomed by native Fijians who smile with such sincerity and innocence as they carry your bags to your room. These resorts offer many activities such as water sports, tenniscourts, a nice golf course etc. But really. Who goes to a tropical paradise to play golf? The hotels are your standard luxury affair with shops, good food, nice rooms, and good service. If you are looking for a more Fijian feel the Royal Denarau has dark wood décor with traditional Fijian touches such as crafts and tapa cloths dangling from walls etc. These resorts are great to stay at for a couple of days after your flight but with average beaches, murky water and a few palm trees scattered about, they lack that special something which takes your breath away. That is where the outer islands such as the Mamanucas (“ma-ma-nu-tha”) are begging to make your acquaintance.

These groups of islands are a short boat ride (approx’ 1-2 hours) or a seaplane ride away. The fares are usually included in your pre booked stay at one of the many island resorts that are on offer. From the moment your boat hits the shore you will experience true Fijian hospitality at its best with a song and dance, and for the ladies a trip over the water to the beach cradled in the arms of a burly but gentle Fijian male to avoid getting wet feet.

As soon as you step foot on the island all your worries will seem to vanish as pure relaxation is on the horizon. Your bags are waiting at the door of your private bure (traditional thatch hut), which are generally decked out in the traditional Fijian feel, and of course with all the modern facilities. There are usually two types of bure on offer. One is the island bure where it will be situated amongst lush tropical gardens along meandering pathways connecting all the buildings. The other more luxuriously appointed is the beach bure (with a dangerous price tag) where you will be greeted each morning with an ocean view and a slice of beach to call your own every day. An example of the price of a beach bure on Castaway island is about FJD$600 per night for a family of four. Of course there are cheaper options which can be just as nice but spending a little over your budget can make a difference.

Food on the islands is usually lavish and sumptuous with decadence only suited to a tropical paradise such as this. Fresh fruits and fresh seafood caught and prepared the same day, every day, as well as everything else for the culinary pleasure of the guests. Meals are a laid back affair with guests encouraged to dine bare footed to enjoy the music created by a few Fijians, a guitar and a bass made from an old tea chest and string. The true island lifestyle. Before dinner is a daily ritual of sipping unimaginable cocktails whilst watching the perfect Fijian sunset and reflecting on a dreamy day epitomising the idea of a holiday in the tropics. There are limited activities on a small island but the obvious choice is snorkelling and diving the reefs, which offer an eye gorging of corals, fish and the odd sea snake in every imaginable colour worthy of inducing sweet dreams every night. Other activates include parasailing, fishing, jet skiing, wind surfing, kayaking and the more inhibited island walks hosted by a cheerful Fijian woman whom can make it all the more enjoyable. All this is right off your doorstep and most of it is free such as the hiring of all water sports equipment.

Where money is of no concern to someone in pursuit of the flawless tropical holiday there are a few select, ultra expensive resorts, which generally cost aboutUSD$2000 per night and upward! This is where you can afford to live like royalty, if just for a week. Where all the best cuisine and alcohol in the world is at the discretion of the guests and all-inclusive with your every whim catered for. A well stocked cellar with all the major brands of French champagne worth mentioning and the finest selection of spirits available. Fancy a moonlit dinner on the beach with your own private chef serving fresh crayfish and countless bottles of Dom Perignon? Get the picture? Needless to say, the rooms and facilities are brilliant and you get your own stretch of beach where your neighbours are almost non-existant. At the end of the day you go home knowing exactly what you paid for and nothing more, what more is there?

Fiji is perfect for vacationers on their way home from New Zealand or Australia wanting to get a dose of pure relaxation before snapping back into everyday life. A week is enough time to get a tan and fatten up on all the good food.
Fiji is beautifully unaffected and serene and can be branded a tropical paradise in the truest sense. It is an unforgettable experience and soon after you get home and back to work thinking about where you want to save up for next year you receive a personal hand written postcard from the manager of the island wishing you the best and cruelly reminding you of what you are missing, or perhaps what you have to look forward to next time!