Fiji
I spent two weeks in Fiji and found it to be a true paradise. We flew into the international airport in Nadi, on the main island of Viti Levu. This is a large, modern airport with many amenities. We had an easy walk over to the domestic terminal to connect to the island of Taveuni. The friendly and welcoming attitude of the Fijian people is evident as soon as you arrive. Everyone we encountered was very happy and cordial. The airport staff was efficient and assisted with checking us in and tagging our bags. Our flight was on a 12 seat, twin-engine prop aircraft. It's about a 1½ hour flight, which goes by very quickly while looking out the window at the beautiful islands below. The terminal at Taveuni is very small and only accommodates small aircraft. We were met at the airport by a driver who took us to our resort on the south end of the island. During the 1 hour drive, the driver gave us a brief history of Taveuni and told us about Fijian culture. Taveuni is called the Garden Island, and it is evident why. Everything is very lush and covered with jungle.
I spent a week diving primarily on the Rainbow Reef and some local reef diving. Rainbow Reef deserves the reputation it has built over the years. Wonderfully colored corals abound. We found a lot of marine life, including blue ribbon eels, electric disco clams, many different nudibranchs, large schools of fish, etc. Favorite dive sites are the Great White Wall and Fish Factory.
We also did day excursions on non-diving days. We visited a local village, where we learned about local customs, crafts, and culture. We were given many demonstrations and sampled food cooked in a lovo and fresh prawns right out of the river. The village chief also invited us to a kava ceremony where everyone joined in. This was a really enjoyable visit. We also went to a site with three different waterfalls. Each one requires an uphill hike, but the beauty of these falls is worth it. Each has a pool to swim in after the hike. A different site has a natural water slide which also requires a bit of a hike. The slide’s a lot of fun and can be done several times before moving on. A stop at the International Timeline is mandatory. Everyone needs a picture with one foot in today, and the other foot in yesterday. Another must-stop on the island is the historic Catholic church. There are shops in town to do some shopping for food, drinks, and local handicrafts.
The second week, we returned to Viti Levu. We were met at the airport for the 2-hour drive to our resort on the south side of the island, near Pacific Harbor. Once again, our driver acted as a local tour guide, pointing out the sites of interest along the way. Fruit stands lined the roadside and food and beverages are available on the drive. Staying at a resort in the Pacific Harbor area allows you to dive Beqa Lagoon, but also the local dive sites along the Sun Coast. You also have the advantage of still being on the main island.
We found Fijian, Asian, and Western food readily available on both islands. Overall, Fiji has happy, friendly people, beautiful tropical scenery, a wonderful culture, and world-class diving. Soft coral capital of the world. Fiji is a real bucket list destination.
