Flying the flag – we’re all Fijians, at least for a week

Fiji is famous for its lay-back life style, friendly people and a very casual approach to the concept of time. Things happen at their own pace and there is no need to rush.  Its a state of mind that all visitors have to get into but once you are there, Fiji time is fabulous.  We had experienced this relaxed life style out on Plantation Island, now we were headed to Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, for a taste of the kick-back life at a five star resort.  As you do.

Some of the farming techniques might have been a bit of a throw-back but nobody was in a big hurry

The next morning we caught the ferry back to the Denarau Marina on the ‘mainland’ and met with our driver who took us on the hour drive down the Coral Coast for the luxury of the Outrigger Resort.  It was a beautiful drive along the coast, through the healthy sugar cane which draped most of the farmable land and was only weeks from harvest.  The road dissected numerous little villages and weaved up and over a few headlands which were coated in deep green jungle. Our Indian driver Raj answered all our questions and helped us learn a bit more about Fiji.

The local street market featured broad smiles and exceptional choice

We stopped a few times for photos and at a shop to buy water, at all times greeted with a friendly Bula and big smile.  As we moved south some of the hills were tinted brown but Raj explained this side of the island had been in drought for ‘about a month’.  It seemed this long drought was about to break because the sky was very overcast and rain could come at any moment.

The main building of the Outrigger Resort stood over the bures with the beaches down the slope

After passing through the significant town of Sigatoka, population about 10,000, which is known as the ‘salad bowl of Fiji’ due to its rich fertile soil, we finally hit the Outrigger Resort. The Outrigger is a grand place, a large main building and dozens of stylish bures sprawling down the slope to the sandy beach set amongst beautifully kept lush gardens. The Outrigger Resort is justifiably known as one of the finest resorts in Fiji and it would be our home for the next couple of days.

The huge and entertaining pool after it’s daytime occupants have gone to bed

The large main pool was spectacularly designed to entertain hundreds of excited Aussie kids but we opted for the ‘Adults Only’ pool which wasn’t quite as risqué as I had imagined given its description but it did have the single best attribute – no children.  It proved a perfect place to spend the rest of the afternoon.

Never seen before – these long worm-like creatures stayed in the shallow water and seemed to strain nutrients from the sand

The next day we headed to the beach and spent the morning snorkelling in their shallow clear water lagoon which extended 500 metres off the coast.  The coral and fish life in these protected waters was just stunning – fluorescently bright fish swimming amongst the orange, green and purple corals, rainbow-coloured fish, many striped fish, big and small, little Nemos everywhere, all providing great theatre for us as we swam over the top of them.  And like at Honeymoon Island the day before, we particularly loved watching the interaction of coral and fish, how they support each other and create such a fascinating living environment.  Later we jumped on some unusual glass bottom kayaks to explore the reef again from a different perspective.

Enjoying a sunset drink at a local establishment in a nearby village

That afternoon we hit the Adults Only pool again, casually swimming up to the pool bar to order our lunch and drinks.  At sunset we walked down the beach into the nearby village where we enjoyed cocktails at a local beach-side bar and gained more perspective for life outside the five star resort.

Even modest homes were brightly painted, showing pride and personality by its occupants

Our last day in Fiji was darkened by the heavy clouds and persistent rain so we hired a car to explore the island in the way we enjoy most.  We turned east on the only paved road on the south coast of the island and headed towards the capital of Suva, following its narrow and winding turns as it passed through little villages and hugged the stormy coastline.

Selling in the rain – there’s never a bad time to buy mandarines

We frequently stopped to take photos and at one place started talking to an old guy who we eventually gave a lift to the next village.  He said his village had ‘not more than 80 people’ but featured a large public school that was built by the Koreans and provided education for kids from many nearby villages.  About half of the Fijians are Christian and by counting the churches we could say that most of them are Methodists – a remnant from the missionaries who came here many years ago to save souls and end cannibalism.

The beaches are beautiful even if the sky is grey

We turned around at the small town of Navua after exploring their local market and headed back to Nadi and the international airport.  Lunch was at a little local restaurant overhanging the water and we also followed the road inland at Sigatoka as it followed the course of the brown Sigatoka River which dissected the wide valley rich in a variety of crops.  Indeed, the salad bowl of Fiji.  All great fun.  Eventually signs for the airport ended our fun and sent us homeward bound.

The weather was perfect for hot corn from an experienced entrepreneur on the side of the road

Fiji is the first overseas destination for millions of Australians and is a delightful mix of beautiful beaches, warm sun, friendly locals and the great Melanesian culture.  We were particularly impressed with the world class snorkelling and were glad we got a taste of both the island life and the mainland life.  We loved the lazy kick-back lifestyle and we even got used to saying Bula and Vinaka hundreds of times each day!

Perfect for Fiji time

Its my home and I’ll paint it any colour I want

The market in Navua with piles of food each sold for a dollar