Three Days in Fiji

Foreword - Today, Thursday February 10^th 2010, is my first day in almost one week that I have acquired a dependable internet connection. Typically, one might question my insanity in these circumstances. However, my exciting travels have kept me very busy and refreshed and I must admit it has been a nice mental vacation from the “real world” or American life as I am accustomed to. I would like to apologize to those who have been eagerly awaiting my first post overseas. Fortunately, I kept a journal on “paper” documenting what I experienced in Fiji. Here you are…

For the last three days (Feb. 6^th-8^th), I have been traveling throughout Nadi, Fiji. My flight arrived in Nadi on the 6^th of February at 5:15 AM. When I first stepped off the plane, I was welcomed by the customs officers of Fiji and a thick breath of humid, tropical air. Immediately after landing, I began dripping sweat which was evidenced by the constant sliding of my glasses off of my nose (it took me until Sydney to get acclimated to this hot weather; very tough on a native Minnesotan). I also witnessed a smell that I have never before encountered. It was the smell of an impoverished, third-world jungle that is the main island of Nadi, Fiji. My very first impression of Fiji is much like what you would expect: hot humid, 90+ degree weather, palm trees and other tropical plants littered across the land, and a very friendly base of native Fijians waiting to please me. My expectations quickly diminished as the sun rose and I began to see what Nadi really was; a destitute, poor, dirty island unlike anything I had anticipated. My “Resort” was nice; however, it was not anywhere in the proximity of the white-sanded and blue-watered beaches I had seen in the pictures within the travel guides I had read prior to my trip. To be fair, my “Resort” was a youth hostel, a dorm-like accommodation for college-aged travelers. I quickly learned from my welcoming and helpful hosts that I must pay an additional and considerable amount of money to escape the island I flew into, in order to see the beautiful, picturesque sights of Fiji. Apparently, those white-sanded and blue-watered beaches are only located on the other 300 some islands that comprise the nation of Fiji. Luckily, the hostel was complete with two pools, two bars, and a restaurant. I quickly grew accustomed to the lack of cold water, internet, and phone; however it was very tough to be a “minority” for the first time in my life. I, being the only American I saw in Fiji, stood out like somebody wearing a turban on an airplane.

Much of the Main Island Looks Like Vietnam

I was fortunate enough to make good friends with a British gentleman whom I soon met after we were assigned to the same dorm room in the hostel. His name was Josh, a 20 year old Englander with a medium build, dark hair, and a thick British accent. I also met a German named Michael and two cool Swedish guys named Jake and Klaus.

For my first day in Fiji, I traveled alone into town on a .70 cent bus (.35 cents American; Fijian dollars are worth half that of American) to check out the market, which I heard was the quickest way to learn the Fijian culture. I was welcomed and spoken to by almost every other Fijian. I tried a local earthy drink customary to Fijians as "Kava" and learned a lot about the violent cannibalism history of Fiji and saw items for sale as souvenirs that they used to use for this horrific custom; such as the neck-cracker and brain-fork. The fruit market was probably my favorite part of the town. Every tropical fruit imaginable was strewn about a square, hanging from clotheslines, and across rugs and tables. The strong, sweet tastes of each one reminded me of the first time I had tried fruit as a kid. I tried Papaya and Passion Fruit for the first time and had pineapple on a stick. That evening, I was invited by some locals to have “barbeque” with them in a park and enjoyed some lamb chops, an unknown type of sausage, potatoes, cucumbers and Fiji Bitter beer. I enjoyed listening to the very important Fiji vs South Africa Rugby game on the radio with the obsessed Fijian fans.

Trying Kava with Native Fijians

The second day, I decided that I was going to find the nearest beach. After hearing that the only beach within walking distance (1.5 miles) was littered with brown muddy sand, broken glass, and rubbish I decided to take the recommendation of the host and go to “Sheraton Beach” (supposedly the best beach within 20 miles). I hired a taxi and off I went. My British friend Josh came with. After roughly 15 minutes of crazed driving, we entered a private resort area (the most beautiful area of town I encountered). I saw a beautiful golf course and numerous American branded resorts. When our driver announced our arrival, I was humored to notice that we were at the Sheraton Resort. I figured that when my hostel host labeled the beach we were going to as “Sheraton” Beach, it was actually named this. The resort accommodated us like we were guests of their own. We played 6 vs. 6 beach volleyball against Fijians, swam in beautiful blue water, and hung out on the white sandy beaches for the entire day. After getting back, I had an excellent fish-n-chips dinner with the Brit, German, and Swedes. We enjoyed conversation for several hours about the various customs in each of our respective countries.

Sheraton Beach

The next day I hiked down to the nearest bay and walked around for several hours. I enjoyed beautiful mountain views and a relaxing hike. For the rest of the afternoon I chilled by the pool, read, and recovered from some serious sun I received the day prior (even after many high SPF sunscreen applications; it’s that intense!). I went to sleep early as I had an early morning flight to Sydney. Though Fiji was very beautiful in many areas, I found the main island to be somewhat distasteful. If I travel to Fiji again, I plan to leave the main island immediately with hopes to see the beautiful islands I did not witness. All in all, I truly valued my experience in Fiji but am very excited to push on to Australia!

I will be posting several more posts hopefully shortly to catch up for the last week or so including my first few days in Sydney (also pictures are taking roughly 15-20 min/image so I will be uploading more when I reach Newcastle and have better internet). Cheers!

Bay Near Hostel

Cool Tree