I know I know… For most of my readers Fiji is most probably one of the most secluded places on earth but I still think you need to float there at least once in a lifetime. You have seen the Coke ads and Adidas’ and know NOTHING’S IMPOSSIBLE! You don’t even need to rob that casino. If I could afford it, you can too. That’s why take these notes as a stimulus to spare some extra and satisfy yourself with a paradise escape one day.
So what’s so special about Fiji?
Losing track of time
If you want to stop fighting against time at least once in your life, Fiji suits you well. There is nothing much happening and that’s the best part of it! What happens in Fiji, stays on in Fiji… You are doing the same couple of things all the time: snorkeling, reading book in the sun, eating, sleeping and maybe a few activities like hiking, diving or beach volleyball. You do that all the Bula time! The conception of time in Fiji is so called Bula time. Bula is the local greeting; you say Bula when meeting people but it also describes the Fijian time. It also means: take your time. When you get there forget your watch. You don’t need that. They will ring the bell for you when the food is ready. Let the life cruise and concentrate on the significant, your existence. To be or not to be? The answer is the first one. BE!!! Like Maya the Bee – just snuffle the Fijian flowers and be happy!
Fiji water
I’m not talking about the hipster water brand consumed by the Hollywood stars and wannabes now. As an aware recycling consumer I’m anyway against the water bottles, I’m a plastic bottle hater, haters gonna hate – that’s good. But what I’m talking about is the actual water – the light blue sea around the Fijian Islands. It’s magical. It’s like jumping into a giant aquarium full of colorful fish and coral and pure turquoise h2o. I think I felt like a fish myself for a moment. Whattawowfish – a pink fish with turquoise stripes! I really have recommended Fiji for all the divers I know. Snorkeling goes too. And what is great is that from May onwards there is the Manta ray season when the huge, even five meters wide, Manta rays are passing the islands.
Fine meat after cannibalism
So cruel! How cool! Fiji used to be known as Cannibal Isles, and even not that long ago. They say about 150 years ago the last man was eaten. But who knows. The village chief that I visited in one village claimed that cannibalism has occurred still on the 90s. Anyway, I didn’t get to taste a man. Have only licked this far hahaaaaa! Sorry! But they say people taste like pork. However I got to eat the best drumsticks ever! Such a delicious local fresh chicken. The family resort where I was staying, Nanuya Island Resort on Nanuya Lailai Island, had chickens on the backyard. They had self-sufficient ecosystem all the way through. And fresh everything, from pulp to meat! Fruits were so sweet too…
After eating well (beware; not all the places have that great food, read reviews, they’ll tell you a lot) you can get Kava high. Kava is a Fijian drink that numbs your tongue and makes you floppy. I couldn’t drink it much though, I think this drink made of plant extract tasted a bit too organic to my taste…
Warm welcome at the gates of paradise
As entering the heaven on earth there is the whole family singing and playing Fijian instruments and welcoming you. They are very good at music and happy, smiley, hospitable people. There are strong family communities in Fiji and they take care of each other and the visitors. At least on the smaller islands which are hotspots for tourism.
My top (Yasawa) islands
Fiji consists of 332 islands. It’s the top five honeymoon destination in the world. I had there two weeks which was good time to visit some of the famous Yasawa Islands, but I would say that two weeks is the minimum to make sure you get that concept of Bula time… Yasawas are the islands were many of the tourists usually go – so you should double check the timing of your trip if you want some peace. Next time I am planning to try out some other islands. There are quite a few to pick from! But this time, out of Yasawas my absolute favorites were:
1) Nanuya Island Resort on Nanuya Lailai Island
Lovely island, peaceful and beautiful. Super friendly family, that take you to places. They took me to nearby “Honeymoon Island”, picture perfect deserted island, to spend a day and have a picnic. They also brought me to a genuine local Fijian village, where I got to talk with the chief of the village and visit a local school. Besides kayaking and ok snorkeling I could also do some little hiking on the island.
2) Octobus Resort on Waya Island
My luxurious stay in a beach front suite. A perfect place when it comes to enjoyment. Very cozy atmosphere and a beautiful setting. Nice pool and terrace, not to mention crazy cool snorkeling just in front of the beach. The water gets deep very quickly and the whole new coral world starts right there. I lost my words. But I can also tell that there was some really good cake and coffee in the resort. Yum yum yum dot com!
3) Mantaray Island Resort on Nanuya Balavu Island
Also very cool snorkeling in here! And a funny easy tide that you could basically just float and admire the under water scene. It was May and I was really waiting for the Manta rays to come but unfortunately they were a bit late. There is young, relaxed spirit in the resort and also some good spirits during the happy hour!
– I also visited Wayalailai Ecohaven on Wayalailai Island, and the resort was quite okay and there was some interesting hiking on the island.
– Then there was Nabua Lodge on Nacula Island, that I didn’t like so much
– And Bounty Island Resort (Mamanuca Islands), that was very close to the main island and Nadi (airport). I suggest to go to the further islands and start island hopping from there.
A few more pictures:
Fiji – facts
– Volcanic born archipelago of 332 islands and over 500 islets in the South Pacific (over hundred are inhabited)
– Other nearby islands: Vanuatu, New Caledonia (FR), Kermadec Islands (NZ), Tonga, Samoa, Wallis and Futuna (FR), Tuvalu
– Official languages: Fijian, English, Fiji Hindi
– Currency: Fijian dollar
– Capital: Suva on Viti Levu
– Fiji got its Independence on 1970 from the United Kingdom
– Fijian time zone is UTC+12 (/summer +13) – when I flew from Fiji to Hawaii, the day started again!
