August 2015
Gorgeous Fiji is to be home for the next couple of weeks. Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, is a convenient base, from where to set off…
on a two-week sailing adventure around the Fijian islands. This is one reason to visit Fiji but also to catch up with my very good friends, which I haven’t seen in an age.
Getting there
After a fleeting 6 days in Australia organising roof repairs and catching up on doctors’ appointments, I finally wait at the Brisbane Airport gate for my Virgin Australia flight to Fiji.
The announcement advises the flight is delayed. Great!
This is starting to sound like my painfully long flight 7 days ago, from the UK to Australia on Cathay Pacific.
Although a tad annoyed as the short 3.5-hour flight to Fiji is about an hour late taking off, at least the service made up for the delay. With a light meal served and a row to myself, I can stretch out and relax.
Arriving in Fiji
The flight arrives at Nadi airport, which is on the western side of Viti Levu (main island).
Nadi’s airport is under renovation, so a bit of a mess but the staff are super friendly and welcoming.
As it’s Sunday, unfortunately, local buses are not operating or are infrequent.
Not to worry, I managed to barter a trip on a private minibus going to Port Denarau (Denarau Island) for only FJD$5.
Denarau Island is connected to the ‘mainland’ via a small bridge.
The driver is so friendly, always chatting and laughing bearing a sincere wide smile – just gorgeous, and a lovely warm introduction to Fiji.
I might also add that on arrival at the airport, passengers are greeted by 3 Fijians draped with Leis playing island guitars, whilst warmly welcoming passengers to Fiji. Although a little touristy, it is a lovely touch and puts you in an island mood for what’s to come…
Back to my minibus driver chauffeuring me (as that’s what it feels like) to my final destination…he is great! Providing me with entertainment whilst driving through the island, pointing out many flashy homes owned by Australians and other ex-pats; and also 5-Star resorts, boutiques, expensive restaurants, and cafes. He doesn’t seem to resent this opulence (not openly anyway), just points everything out in a matter-of-fact manner.
A little background on Fiji
Although Fijians came from Melanesia to these islands some 3,500 years ago, understandably, there is also a heavy Indian influence.
This can be seen in the many diverse faces around Fiji and stems from Fiji’s British colonial rulers (1874 – 1970). Indentured labourers (Girmitiyas) were brought to the islands to work on Fiji’s sugar cane plantations, for the Europeans.
Fiji is also a melting pot of descendants from people of mixed races: Chinese and Pacific Islanders.
Although most speak Fijian and Hindi as their first language, English is also widely spoken. Everyone seems more than obliging to help a lost tourist – not that you can really get seriously lost.
Easy to remember and speaks volumes, is the universal greeting for hello: Bula.
You hear this greeting the instant you set foot on Fijian soil. Bula is also used to ask ‘How are you’? Pick up the habit of saying Bula and you’ll feel right at home here, with the wide smiles returned from the locals.
Tourists and foreigners are catered for and accommodated nicely on this very touristy island. Tourism is Fiji’s mainstay so all creature comforts are provided…relax in style.
Tip:
Although Fiji is an island in the South Pacific Ocean, when you go to a different island within the Fiji group, Nadi (pronounced “Nandi”) is always referred to as the “mainland”. This seems kind of weird but understandable I guess.
Food at Denarau
Many restaurants and cafes grace Denarau’s waterfront, as do ritzy 5-Star hotels and flashy boats.
You are very spoilt for choices here but most are expensive, even by Australian standards. Do stop off and have a great coffee or a deliciously refreshing green coconut (Mbu) juice at one of the many cafes in Denarau.
For now, I’ll just mention a couple of good places that I like:
- Indigo Indian and Asian – Offering authentic Indian food at very reasonable prices, go with a hungry appetite as portions are quite substantial. Service is also very good.
- Lulu Bar, Cafe, Restaurant – Serves yummy food at average prices for the island. The Sashimi is super fresh, very tasty, and quite authentic – as you would expect on an island. Sadly, there is just not enough of it served on your plate to warrant a meal, so you definitely need more plates.
A quick shop in one of the supermarkets, all seem pretty expensive, then on to my first real Fijian market experience, for some serious vegetable bartering. The supermarkets on the island stock many Australian products but at exorbitant prices.
If you’ve read any of my other blogs, you’ll know that regardless of what country I’m in, I absolutely love local markets.
Karel, my long-time friend, host, and co-owner of the boat is amazing at bartering. And possess bartering skills that leave me for dead!
Although quite large, the market in Nadi is not too dissimilar to markets in Asia.
One difference is that there are not as many choices on offer here as in Asian markets. Also, much of what is on offer in different stalls is the same.
Apart from carrots and celery, most vegetables are grown locally on the island so the produce is quite fresh.
Sail Away, Sail Away, Sail Away…
With the boat fully provisioned, it is finally time to set out on the long-awaited sail for a couple of weeks.
Can’t wait for some sailing frolics around the glorious and pristine Fijian islands, which I’ve heard so much about…
Visit my Nilla’s Photography Galleries for more images. More travel posts are at my Image Earth Travel site.
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