Fiji - Travel Blog

Fiji Islands

2009-10-24T00:29:00.001-07:00

Nadi:

One of the largest towns and most visitors’ first stop on Fiji, Nadi is a culturally diverse city of 30,000. Nadi Beach is a wide strand, perfect for lazing in the sun and watching sunsets. Nearby Natadola Beach is Fiji’s most spectacular and is popular for swimming and body surfing. Places to visit in Nadi include Sri Siva Subramaniya, largest Hindu temple in the Southern hemisphere, the Sleeping Giant orchid gardens and Waqadra Botanical Gardens. Ferries leave Nadi for the Mamanuca Islands.

Hindu Temple at the southern end of the main street of Nadi. It is the largest in the Pacific and is very colorful.

Wailoaloa Beach, at a 1/2 mile long the beach located in the northern area of Nadi. There are multiple beach clubs and resorts located on this stretch.

The Newtown Beach has public access as well, it is located about 10 minutes away from Nadi town by bus.

Nadi Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Originally started to make a place for the private collection of tropical orchids of Canadian actor Raymond Burr, this garden now houses many beautiful plants and trails for walking.

Denarau Island:
Is one of the most popular travel destinations in the Fiji Islands, with some of Fiji's most favorite resorts and hotels located here.. It is ideally situated for trips to the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands from the newly upgraded Port Denarau Marina.

The Mamanuca group of islands is located just a few kilometers off the western side of Fiji's main island of Viti Levu. It is one of Fiji's most popular resort destinations with a number of beautiful islands and reefs. With names such as Treasure Island, Beachcomber Island, Tokoriki and Vomo to name a few, these islands instill a feeling of palm tree fringed beaches and pristine blue lagoons.

The Yasawa Islands is one of Fiji's most popular destinations for the travelers looking for the white sandy beaches and tropical island resorts. These islands are located just off the north western side of Viti Levu and are easily accessed by boat transfers and cruise ships from Denarau Marina and Loutoka.

The Coral Coast stretches along the beaches of Fiji's main island linking Natadola in the West to Waidroka Bay in the East. It has one of the largest fringing coral reefs in the world. Dotted with stunning white beaches and ringed by a turquoise coral reef and a deep blue Pacific Ocean the Queens Highway meanders through stunning scenery, Fijian villages, sugar cane fields and lush hills.

Taking the Queens Highway north out of Nadi, past the Sugar City of Lautoka, you will quickly find yourself on the stunning northern coastline of Viti Levu, known as The Sun Coast.

A largely undiscovered area of rocky mountains rising up against tropical seas and magnificent coral reefs, dotted with only a handful of resorts. This area is simply breathtaking.

The underground aquifer where the world-famous 'Fiji Water'.

Vanua Levu is the second largest island in Fiji and is similar in nature to the main island of Viti Levu. However, the friendly island is far less populated and developed than its larger sister. The main area for tourism is around the southern town of Savusavu and the finger that protrudes pointing towards Taveuni. North of the finger, across Natewa Bay (the largest bay in the South Pacific), is the undeveloped region of Udu Point where small fishing villages line the coast.

Taveuni is one of the most popular destinations in the Fiji Islands. Taveuni has magnificent reefs, mountains, rain forest, volcanic formations, mangroves, abundant wildlife and flora, as well as one of the friendliest people on earth.

Pacific Harbour is the "Adventure Capital of Fiji" and is two and a half hour drive from Nadi Airport by the scenic 'Coral Coast' road and only 45 minutes from Suva.

Suva City is the political and commercial capital of the Fiji Islands and is the South Pacific's largest and most cosmopolitan city.

The Lomaiviti archipelago is a group of islands between Viti Levu and the Lau Islands.

This traditional and remote island lies about 100km off the main island of Viti Levu. Kadavu is a rugged island almost 60km in length and 14km wide with high volcanic peaks, rolling hills and many indented bays. There are few roads on the island and travel by small boats is the easiest and often only way to get about. The dense rain forests offer good hiking trails, some nice waterfalls and several endemic species of birds including the colorful and noisy Kadavu parrot (kaka) and the more elusive whistling dove, honey eater and fantail. Life in Kadavu boasts a very traditional culture with its 12,000 inhabitants living in 70 small fishing villages around the coast, isolated from the world. Village visits from all seven resorts on island can be arranged.

FIJI MUSIC VIDEO #2

Video by: masalatv

WATCH NOW VIDEO ON DEMAND
http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Voyager-2-Islands-Fiji/dp/B0038HXV80/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-video&qid=1266352836&sr=1-2

FijiTitle Pacific Voyager: The Islands of Fiji (DVD) Description The Fiji Islands in the South Pacific are an archipelago of over 333 islands packed with attractions that can be found no where else. Viewers will enjoy the towns of Fiji, Nadi, and Suva City, the Orchid Island of Fiji, the Coral Coast, and more. Title Pacific Voyager 2: The Islands of Fiji (DVD) Description A nature lover's delight, Fiji has an unspoiled, unique environment of extreme beauty and tranquility. Viewers will enjoy a visit to Robinson Crusoe Island, the Outer Islands, Denarau Island.

Fiji Cultures and Cuisine

2009-10-24T00:07:00.000-07:00

The Fiji culture is a colorful nation filled with a mix of music, dance, family, food, craft and their love for sport, especially rugby.

This musical nation is bought together by singing, you often hear the lovely sound of their songs echoing around the villages. The people also have strong religious beliefs, the ceremonies influenced by music and singing. Dance is also a very important part in both the Fijian and Indian cultures.

Music of Old Fiji consisted of various chants which often told a story or preserved information to be passed on from generation to generation. With the introduction of European and Asian cultures Music in Fiji has evolved and songs sung in the Fijian vernacular are popular but so also are songs in Indian and English. Some local artist mix all three languages and traditional instruments from each culture making for a very unique musical experience.

The Fijian food is a fusion of flavors of both the cultures, the coconut and root vegetables of the Fijians and the spices and curries of the Indians.

In general, native Fijians and the Fijian-Indian populations use their hands to eat. Meals are eaten on the floor while the family sits on mats.

Common food of Fiji:
Rice, taro, breadfruit, sweet potatoes, cassava, fish & coconut

Family is one of the most important parts of the Fiji culture. The Fijians often live in close nit villages with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents, all caring and providing for each other and the village as a whole community. Art and craft is also a large part of their villages and heritage especially for the women.

Fiji's arts and crafts reflect local adaptations of their Polynesian and Melanesian heritage. An indigenous art form is the Meke, which may incorporate the sea-sea (women fan dance) or a meke wesi (men spear dance). It is usually a narrative of an important event such as a war, a chiefly installation, or even a scandal. Some mekes are generations old, and form an important part of Fiji's oral history.

Each district of Fiji has its own form of meke, performed in the local dialect. Other forms of Polynesian and Melanesian dance art forms exist with most widely known being dances of Rotuma and Tonga. There are also various Indian dances and Chinese dances which are performed at relevant festivals marking important times for these communities which are now a part of Culture in Fiji.

As you will be able to tell the Fiji culture is a combination of both the Fijian and Indian groups, each bringing something unique and special to the country.

u'u Aloha - Fiji - With Lyrics DSTA 2008

Video by: Tanz, http://www.youtube.com/user/oceania1980

Ku'u Aloha by Fiji with Lyrics + translation.

Kuu Aloha, noqu daulomani
Sa i iko taudua ga, au dau nanuma
Tiko ga e ke, kua ni biuti au
Deu na qai galili

Sa i iko Kuu Aloha
Au dau domona
Kalokalo serau
Talei vei au

Ku'u Sweet Aloha
You're Always On My Mind
Stay Right Beside Me
Lie Down And Hold Me Tight

Whisper (whisper softly) Softly
Say That You Need Me
I Will Always Be Here For You

Sa i iko Kuu Aloha
Au dau domona
Kalokalo serau
Talei vei au
Ku Ku'u Aloha
So Soft and gentle
I Love You My Darling
And (always)I'll (and always) Always Will

English Translation:

Ku'u aloha, my beloved
it's only you i think of
Stay close to me, don't ever leave me
or i will be left lonely

It's only you Ku'u aloha My Beloved
i love
my shining star
precious to me

Fiji Island

2009-10-23T23:57:00.000-07:00

Fiji was like a dream for me. My experience not only exceeded my expectations; it filled my heart with love and brought about a wonderful change within me. My time in the islands was nothing short of a miracle. I was blessed each day with the magic of beauty and simple, genuine people. I had found a home on the other side of the world and experienced the unconditional kindness of strangers.

Fiji has 322 islands, over a hundred of them inhabited. It lies midway between Tahiti and Australia, due north of New Zealand.

The population is incredibly mixed with indigenous Melanesian Fijians in a majority. Indo-Fijians descended from Indian indentured laborers account for 40 percent. Polynesians, Chinese, and Europeans make up the rest. Fiji's largest island Viti Levu hosts both the main international airport Nadi and the capital city Suva.

FIJI MUSIC VIDEO

http://www.amazon.com/Pacific-Voyager-2-Islands-Fiji/dp/B0038HXV80/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=digital-video&qid=1266352836&sr=1-2

Video by: masalatv, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3703321/