Fiji Recap
There is a feeling of isolation while traveling, especially in developing nations where internet access is minimal. Fiji has very little in the way of news and the news that comes through TV is “government approved” apparently. Newspapers are scarce, in fact I don’t recall seeing any while we were there.
There is a raw beauty here and the ocean is a powerful force that seems to bind people to the land as it can be quite dangerous to be out in the ocean without a boat. It’s hot and humid most of the time and rarely gets below 70F. The coral is plentiful and the life that inhabits the reefs is incredibly colorful and diverse. I’ve seen creatures that I didn’t even know existed. Snorkeling and diving in Fiji are a huge draw for tourists, especially in the smaller island chains like the Yasawas and Mamanucas (ma-ma-noo-thas).
The people are extremely friendly and fairly shy. Some look somewhat mean until you break the ice with a “bula” to which they reply in kind with a huge smile. Most Fijians are not educated beyond a middle school level. There is little incentive for them to continue their education into university, however there are several on Veti Levu (the main island). Conversely, there isn’t much industry that requires more than a basic education, though this is a circular argument.
The Indo-Fijians, approximately half the population, seem to be the more industrious portion of the population. They tend to own more of the businesses and means of commerce. You can’t help but sense some tension between these two groups of people. About 90% of the taxi and bus drivers / operators we encountered were Indo-Fijian. This industrious group’s position in the culture is interesting considering they were contract laborers brought to Fiji by the English in the 1800’s to work in the sugar cane fields and were treated like second-class citizens. Somewhat ironically, they are sort of looked down upon or envied by the native Fijians for their current wealth and success. To further separate them, the predominant religions of the Indo-Fijians are Hinduism and Islam whereas most native Fijians are Christians.
The two main industries in Fiji are sugar cane and tourism. You see sugar cane fields everywhere on Viti Levu and there is usually a pile of rubbish being burned somewhere within eyesight. Aside from the city centers, the country is clean and you don’t see any vandalism or hear of much crime beyond petty theft. Basic services like food, currency, gas and pharmacies are everywhere and very reasonably priced. Drug and alcohol abuse seem nonexistent. Booze is available everywhere, but the search for Tuaca goes unfulfilled.
The food is largely influenced by the imported Indian culture. You find some Chinese, a lot of Indian and some English-style food throughout the islands. Tea is a daily ritual and most meals are served with rice. There is a unique taste to the curry dishes in Fiji and meat is a small part of the diet, though lamb is more prominent than pork, beef or chicken. Kava is a widely consumed beverage throughout Fiji. If you ever get to Fiji, taking part in a Kava ceremony is highly encouraged. The ceremony takes place in a circle and usually on the floor. The server scoops up a cup of Kava and before you accept it, you clap once. While you drink the Kava, everyone around you claps together three times. After you drink the entire cup you clap again. Rinse and repeat until the Kava is gone. Kava is made from the ground dry root of the Kava plant. The water is filtered through the powder to make a sort of cold tea. The taste is something like dirt and can be a little bitter. The first thing you feel in your mouth is a numbing sensation and with enough Kava you can get drunk, but I never drank enough to find out.
Fiji is a beautiful country with very friendly people and a warm to hot climate. Anyone seeking a change of scenery and some adventure should consider Fiji as a destination. The main island, Viti Levu is probably the most affordable, with the outer islands being about 20-50% more expensive depending on the accommodations you seek. Two to three weeks is plenty of time to experience Fiji, but one week could net you a rewarding time as well. After three weeks, we were ready to move on to our next stop; Australia.
Links to check out from our trip:
