Like you really need a reason to go to Fiji? Just in case you had any doubt, here are some of the best reasons to start planning your Fiji adventure!
But first, a bit about Fiji...
Located northeast of New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean, it’s part of Melanesia
It's officially known as the Republic of Fiji
It was under British rule from 1874 until its independence in 1970
There are 330 islands in Fiji covering about 194,000 square kilometers or 75,000 square miles
Only 10% of that area is land
Only 1/3 of those islands are inhabited
Population: over 900,000
Two islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for ¾ of the population
Capital: Suva, located on the island of Viti Levu
Fiji’s Rugby sevens team is the reigning Olympic gold medalists and has won the Rugby World Cup Sevens twice (I love watching rugby, especially sevens, but have yet to understand the rules!). Here's more on Rugby sevens.
Super cool fact: Fiji was the first country to use GPS in aviation! Here’s the article about in on BBC.
Airfare: It’s more affordable than you think
When we were looking for our next vacation spot, we’d intended to head to the Carribbean. Living on the east coast of the U.S., the cost of flying to many places in the Carribbean is relatively affordable, running from about $350 to over $1,000 (depending on where/when you go). When I received an email for a Black Friday sale on airfare on Fiji Airways for flights from Los Angeles (or San Francisco) from $729 roundtrip to Nadi (the major airport in Fiji), I thought wow that’s doable! Sure, if you’re on the east coast of the U.S. you’ve gotta get yourself to the west coast, and the flight to Fiji is long, but my point is, the cost of getting there is not as insane as you might think.
Activities: There’s Tons of Stuff to Do...Or Nothing at All
We were going to Fiji primarily to scuba dive, but it’s also known as a big surfing destination. Don’t dive or surf? Then how about ziplining, hiking, rafting, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing? Sure you can probably do those things in other places, but why not do them in Fiji? Oh yeah, or you could just hang out in a hammock by the beach....
Hospitality: The People are incredibly kind and friendly
Everyone says "Bula"! While the actual definition of "Bula" in Fijian means life or health, it seems to be used in the same way as "aloha" is used in Hawaii - as a greeting!
Accomodations: From Budget to Luxury
There are a range of accommodations to suit any budget, including well know chains, like Hilton, Radisson, Sheraton, Westin, Marriott, Intercontinental, etc. We stayed at the Wairdoka Bay Resort, an all inclusive resort, because it was geared toward divers and surfers.
Islands: Take Your Pick
Like I mentioned at the beginning of this post, there are tons of islands to choose from. Due to time constraints, we stayed on Viti Levu.
The Food is Fantastic!
I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially as a vegetarian (well, pescetarian to be exact), but the variety and quality of food was surprisingly...INCREDIBLE! Yeah, there was fish, but there was also vegetarian food, and meat like chicken, beef and lamb!
We sampled traditional Fijian Lovo, the Fijian version of barbecue. Lovo not only refers to the traditional way of cooking meals in an underground oven, but also to the underground oven the meal is cooked in. Fiji also has a large Indian population (who knew), and that influence is apparent in its cuisine. We had curry dishes served with chutneys (a sauce originating from India). At the Waidroka Bay Resort where we stayed, we had fresh baked everything daily - bread (which was ridiculously delish, cookies and other goodies on the dive boat (I have recipes coming up!).
So, there are just a few reasons to plan a trip and pack your suitcase for Fiji! Come back next week for more about Fiji!
