Lazy days In Fiji
PHOTO: Sailing in crystal clear water near Toberua Island, Fiji
New Zealand may be a beautiful country but Fiji is a tropical paradise fresh from the best fantasies.
It is a land of blue-green lagoons, lush rainforests, pine forests, mountains and 1000 miles of white, sandy beaches. There are 330 pieces of land big enough to be called islands scattered across 200,000 miles of ocean, and several thousand others considered too small for human habitation. Of the plethora of islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu make up 85% of the total land mass.
All those classic Fiji photos you see of toned bodies cavorting around white sand beaches are taken from the islands. They’re full of lazy hot days, pina coladas served in coconuts, massages under palm trees, buffet tables of seafood and first class eye candy above and below the water.
Rainbow coral reefs and lagoons that host the largest variety of fish in the world surround many islands. There are snorkelling and dive opportunities galore.
The best surf is from March to October with top reef surfing thirty minutes from Nadi by speedboat. There is other surfing at Waidroka Bay, Coral Coast, Yanuca and Kadavu Islands.
Of course you couldn’t visit Fiji without experiencing a Kava ceremony. There is nothing like kissing after your lips have been smacked with too much Kava… not to mention what your knees might do.
It’s worth a stroll through the Garden Of The Sleeping Giant although you won’t find a yeti snoring in the bushes. There are acres of magic flora at the base of the Sabeto mountains and an outstanding private orchid collection that deserves a picnic. You can top it off with a visit to the legendary Viseisei Village, where original Fijians are said to have landed 3,500 years ago.
In Fiji men are encouraged to wear skirts – sulu’s (also known as pareau, lavalava or sarongs) and boys, once you’ve been there you’ll never go back to annoying rasp-between-the-legs shorts. The wrap-around sulu is Fiji’s most distinctive and versatile form of dress and that plus swimming trunks are all you need from your backpack when you arrive.
Even the rainforests in Fiji are special. You can freely romp around in them knowing you won’t be attacked by any harmful animals or insect - no crocs, scorpions, snakes, leeches, poisonous spiders or grumpy dragons. There is enough untouched terrain with numerous steams and waterfalls to find your own private blue lagoon. Speaking of which, the sacred Bouma Falls on the island of Taveuni (as seen in the original movie) are mouth-wateringly good and there is a natural waterslide to make you feel ten years old again.
There are also great boat cruises on schooners, catamarans, motor-sailors or ketches from Nadi to many islands in the Mamanuca group, such as Beachcomber and Castaway.
Basically, Fiji is full of hedonism, adventure, stunning scenery and other travellers exposing a lot of skin.
It’s an easy leap from New Zealand.
Fact File
• For specific backpacking information see
www.fijibackpackerconnections.com
• Do not walk into a village with something slung over your shoulders; always carry items in your hands
• Do not touch a Fijians head or hair; it is the most sacred part of the body
• Do not eat turtle meat, as it’s illegal
• Do not go topless outside of the tourist zones, like on the bus.
• Do not attempt to pole dance after a kava ceremony
• Do not make coup jokes
• Vinaka’ is Fijian for thank you. ‘Bula’ means welcome.
Smugglers Cove & Horizon Backpackers Special Offer!
Smugglers Cove Beach Resort & Horizon Backpackers will offer 10% discount on all room types by presenting this advertisement upon check-in, for online bookings mention the Backpackers News “What’s the Buzz” special offer and receive 10% discount on your booking. Rates Include:
FREE - Smiley Staffs
FREE - Light “self serve” breakfast daily
FREE - Luggage storage if required
FREE - 24 Hour airport meet & pick up
FREE - Internet - conditions
FREE - Use of resort Kayaks
To add more to this we have great outdoor activities during the day and nightly entertainments to keep you rocking, Samoan fire dance, Polynesian Hula dance on Wednesday & Sunday, Live Band by Bill & the beach bros on Saturday and Live Kavaholics band on Monday and Thursday.
A fun filled vacation of treasure awaits you at Smugglers Cove & Horizon Backpackers!!
reservations@smugglerscove.com.fj
Airlines that fly into Fiji
Air New Zealand
Air Vanuatu
Aircalin
Korean Air
Pacific Blue
Qantas
Fiji Airports