FUN IN FIJI

FIJI Islands

August 27th - September 21st 2001

Bula & Welcome to Fiji.

These Islands are home to White sandy beaches, clear turquiose seas and probally the most relaxed atmosphere in the world!! There are 300 islands scattered across some 230,000sq.km in the South West Pacific. Just over 100 of these islands are inhabited. The Two main islands are Viti Levu &Vanua Levu, comprising 85% of the total land mass. The islands are primarily volcanic in origin with the high rugged terrain that typifies this type of formation. The other smaller islands are of coral or limestone origin. Population is approx 750,000, roughly 48% Fijian, 46% Indian, 6% European, Chinese, islanders & others.

Climate

Fiji is relatively mild throughtout the year due to the mass of water surrounding it. Fiji's rainy season is from November to April and the dry season May to October. Suva has an average rainful of 3100mm and Nadi 2000mm with the bulk of that rain during December to mid April. The temperatures average around 250C however 300C is not unusual in summer. The coolest months are July & August. Water temeratures average 250C - 280C year long. Humidity is high with averages ranging from 60%-80% in Suva & 60% t0 70% in Lautoka

Geography

The Fiji Islands are situated in the South-West Pacific ocean, South of the equator and North of of the Tropic of Capricorn. Australia is 3160Km to the South-West, New Zealand 2120Km to the South, And Tonga 770Km to the East. The total land mass is 18,300 Sq Km. Fiji is made up of approx 300 islands the largest being Vitu Levu ("Big Fiji") and the second largest Vanua Levu (Big Land").

Week One

I start my Fiji trip with an overnight stop at Club Fiji about 6kms from Nadi, & then head straight to Tavewa Islands, for a few days at coral View Resort for my first true Fijian experience. Coral View opened in 1984 & offers a wide variety of accomodation from camping through to "Luxury" bures. The resort is on the Northeast end of the island and benefits from fantastic jungle gardens. I spend 3 days relaxing in a traditional fijian manner before heading to Nacula Islands.

Week Two

A short boat ride & I am on Nacula Island where I stay in the lovely Oarsman Bay Lodge. This resort is situated on one of the worlds finest beaches. The resort is fairly new (Sept 2000) & is sited facing West to the lovely Nalova Bay. Here I try the customery cava, a drink made of root crop (which is crushed & mixed with water) that alledgedly has the same affects as smoking hash, & what better way to watch the spectacular sunsets.

Week Three

My next scheduled stop is the popular Beachcomber Island part of the Mamanuca group, although our boat skipper decided that he would'nt stop at this island today! Instead we have to spend a night back in Nadi & make our way there the following day. Beachcomber is renouned for its "party" atmosphere within the backpacker scene so I was looking forward to some civilisation. This small island attracts families & couples who stay in the luxury bures & the 76 bed dormitory houses the backpackers. The activities, fun & games, evening entertainment & attentiveness was a real novelty after 11 months of budget hostels.

Week Four

Well you probally guessed Iam still enjoying Beachcomber for just a few more days! Its great mixing with backpackers, families & couples in one resort & I find it more difficult to leave every day! At one stage I had to reclaim my bags from the boat when yet again I was convinced to stay. I have attended the daughters wedding of the islands owner, & just competed in the anual "Pirates Day" yahct race, Is it a wonder i'm still here!

Well my last few days in Fiji are spent travelling along the Coral Coast staying at "The Beach House" between Nadi & Suva. A 70Km jet ski tour around Beqa Island off the Pacific coast is my last real taste of Fiji & considering I was only staying in Fiji for 5 days, I am finally leaving afetr a month!!

Kava Culture

Variously known as sakau, yaqona or `ava throughout the Pacific, kava is the drink of choice in Fiji. Many people wouldn't consider a day complete without throwing back a couple of 'shells' of the stuff. Traditionally and more formally though, a kava ceremony is held to welcome visitors, seal alliances, start chiefly conferences and to commemorate births, deaths and marriages.

For such special occasions, there are strict rules for preparing and drinking kava, and preparation procedures vary throughout the islands. On some islands, for example, kava roots are brought to the nakamal (men's clubhouse) each afternoon by pre-pubescent boys. The boys prepare the roots by chewing them into a mush, which is then mixed with water and filtered through coconut fibres.

This liquid mixture is then poured into a half-coconut shell, which serves as a cup (hence, the term 'shell' for a draught of kava). First the chief drinks it, followed by any honoured guests, then other men drink in order of precedence. Etiquette requires drinking each shell in a single gulp; any remaining liquid is poured on the ground. It's also generally drunk in a quiet atmosphere: conversation and loud noises are kept to a minimum.

You'll find that kava has a pungent, muddy and slightly peppery taste - it looks like very dirty dishwater, and many would say it doesn't taste much better. But it's not that bad, in fact given a chance it definitely grows on you. If the brew is a strong one - and there's a good chance it will be as Fiji's kava is reputedly the strongest in the world - your lips will go numb and cold almost instantly (even my moutht went numb!). Then after about 20 minutes your limbs will feel heavy, your speech will become quiet and slow and your eyes will be sensitive to any glare (kava bars are very dimly lit because of this). Even if it's only a mild brew, you'll probably want to do nothing more than lie down and think about life, feeling sedated and happy.

A bit bizarre when all you feel when you arrive in Fiji is relaxed and happy anyway.