Fiji

WHY CHOSE FIJI FOR YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY

To relax in a spellbinding landscape of swaying palm trees, azure water and white sand, with terrific snorkelling and diving – particularly around the Ono Islands and the rocky coastlines of Vanua Levu, the Yasewas and the Mamanucas. There’s also plenty to entrance beyond the beach: Fijians are famously friendly, and their fascinating history is still vividly alive in places like the old colonial capital of Levuka.

WHAT MAKES FIJI SPECIAL

Some of the finest beaches in the world are found in Fiji’s 322 jewel-like islands. Remember Tom Hanks talking to his volleyball in Cast Away ? Apart from Wilson the volleyball, the only thing that Tom’s character had to keep him company for four years was an idyllic Fijian beach. It won Tom an award - and brought Fiji lots of new fans. Filmed in the western Mamanucas, the film did a good PR job in capturing the spellbinding scenery of this Eden in the South Sea. But Fiji is more than exotic eye candy. Beyond the sun lounger, Fiji offers a spectacular underwater aquarium, with some of the best and most accessible snorkelling and dive sites in the Pacific. There’s also a colourful tapestry of traditions and culture to explore throughout the islands, with the fascinating living history of its colonial and whaling days still evident all around.

WHERE IS FIJI

Fiji is in the heart of the South Pacific, 3100km North East of Sydney. The largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, with a necklace of smaller islands strewn around them. Most of the Fijian islands are surrounded by coral reefs, so the sea is gentle, lagoon-like and shallow at low tide. Apart from a feast of dreamy, palm-fringed snow white beaches, Fiji’s scenery varies from the grassy volcanic hilltops of Yasawas to the dense rainforests of Taveuni, and the sprawling, snorkel-friendly sandbars of the Mamanuca Islands.

Capital: Suva
Main tourist hotspots: Denarau Islands, Mamanuca Islands, Coral Coast, Nadi, Suva.
Flight time from Sydney: 3 ½ - 4 hrs
Population: 849,218
Language: English and Fijian.
Religion: Mainly Christian – 52%, with 38% Hindu.

THE PEOPLE AND CULTURE OF FIJI

The Fijian people are joyful and outgoing, and enjoy getting visitors involved in activities on their islands and the surrounding sea – their outrigger races are legendary. There is a mixture of cultures, but most native Fijians live in a strictly hierarchical system in thatched bures in small villages along the coast, or scattered in the countryside. Respect is everything, and with the right approach even the most remote villagers will warmly welcome visitors. It’s hard to imagine when meeting Fjiians today that a few generations ago their ancestors were cannibals. You can still visit the grave of the last recorded man-eater in Northern Viti Levu and count the stones on his 200-year-old tomb – there are over 800 remaining, and the story goes, he kept one for every person he ate. And he didn’t like to share a single morsel…. Which is ironic, because sharing is the epitome of Fijian hospitality today.

Etiquette:

Remove hats when visiting a Fijian village, and don’t touch anyone's head as it’s considered a sign of disrespect.
Remove shoes before entering a bure, or house.
Talk quietly. Fijians are softly-spoken and think raised voices mean aggression.
A pepper-infused drink called kava is part of daily life, often used to welcome visitors and in rituals. It’s considered rude not to accept a sip.
Beyond the main towns, Fijians always smile and say hello to each other. It’s polite to do the same.

THE BEACHES IN FIJI

Calm, crystal clear waters and bleached coral sand are what to expect in Fiji – although some beaches are better than others, depending on your needs. The coastal lagoons created by the coral reefs surrounding most islands mean terrific snorkelling and scuba diving conditions, but for those sunbathing and wishing for a swim…..well, the water may sometimes be a little shin-skimming shallow until high tide for serious swimmers. Most beaches (particularly on the outer islands) are always glorious for a dip, and usually eye-candy idyllic.

Best beaches:

Qualito (Castaway) Island (Mamanucas): One of Fiji’s most popular resorts, with glorious, deep white sand and good snorkelling at high tide.
Vatulele : A gorgeous kilometre stretch of brilliant white sand.
Malololailai Island (Mamanucas) : A lagoon deep enough for swimming and snorkelling at most tides, with a popular beach bar.
Prince Charles Beach (Taveuni) : Named after the future King of England who is said to have swum here. Two other great beaches are nearby.
Blue Lagoon Beach (Nanuya Levu) : Ravishing, picture postcard turquoise water and white sands.

FESTIVALS IN FIJI

April : Outriggers Fiji National Competition (Nadi) offers a scenic backdrop to an exciting set of races on the sea.
May : Launched two years ago, the Fiji International Jazz and Blues Festival (Denarau Island) brings musicians from all over the world for four–days of music merry-making.
July : The Bula Festival in Nadi offers all sorts of glittery pageants,colourful parades, traditional costume, marching bands and dancing contests – your camera won’t forgive you if you don’t go.
August : The Hibiscus Festival (Suva) , a new, charity festival of arts, crafts and dances that is being pushed as THE event in Fiji.

MONEY MATTERS

Local currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)
ATMS: Found in major urban areas, but not in more remote places.
Notes: Smallest – 2 FJD (approx. = 1.09 AUD); Largest – 50 FJD (approx. 21.12 AUD).
Cards: Restaurants, shops, hotels and tour agents in the cities and resorts usually accept major cards – VISA and MasterCard are most common. Expect to pay about 5% surcharge if paying by card, or a 10% commission if withdrawing cash.
Advice: Occasionally software problems mean ATM machines don’t work, so always have a back up plan in case your card is ‘eaten’. Expect both your bank and the ATM provider to charge a fee per transaction.

TIME DIFFERENCE

Sydney: - 1hr
Darwin: - 3½ hrs
Perth: - 4hrs
Adelaide: - 2½ hrs
Brisbane : - 2hrs

DO'S AND DONT'S IN FIJI

Safety: There is no malaria in Fiji, but Dengue fever is endemic. So take precautions – particularly during the day, when this particular mosquito (black and white striped) bites.

Water: Safe to drink.

Scams: Beware of sword sellers. With a bag under an arm, they will engage in conversation in the street, ask your name, and then write it on a carved wooden sword carried in their bag. You’ll then be aggressively ‘pushed’ to buy it. Avoid the hassle by never giving a stranger carrying a bag your name.