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Fiji: things to do

Fiji - sun, sea, sand and so much more
by Kate Gillingham

'Two and a half weeks!' people kept exclaiming at me, 'Won’t you get bored? After all there’s nothing to do except lie on the beach.' This was the reaction I got from most other backpackers when I told them how long out of my five month trip I was planning to spend in Fiji. The general consensus seemed to be that whilst this cluster of islands was a perfectly adequate stopover between America and Australasia, and indeed an ideal place to secure that killer tan, staying more than a few days was a big mistake. However, after my first day in Nadi, the base of every backpacker's Fiji experience, I knew that general consensus was wrong and that I had a thrilling time ahead of me that would consist of much more than just soaking up the sun.

I stayed at the Nadi Bay Hotel, which after nearly four months of hostels seemed like luxury. It offers free airport pickup, two pools, a beauty salon, three restaurants and a fantastic travel desk. The staff at the travel desk were incredibly friendly and helpful, making it easy for me to plan and book for the next two weeks, leaving the very next day. One tip is to take advantage of the hotel's free luggage storage and leave your big backpack on the mainland. Just take what you need for the days you will be away, trust me that’s not much.

The next day I headed to Robinson Crusoe Island which is well known for being one of two backpacker party islands in Fiji. It certainly did not disappoint, boasting its own beachside nightclub and a bar that can whip you up the most fantastic looking cocktails. During the day you could either lie on the beach and recover from the night before or try one of the many free activities which range from snorkelling and kayaking to line fishing and coconut tree climbing. The latter is definitely not to be missed, the sight of guys trying to out-do each other by shinnying up a coconut tree is hilarious; you can practically smell the testosterone. Surprisingly Robinson Crusoe is not devoid of Fijian culture; each evening they have a traditional welcoming ceremony which gave me my first opportunity to try Fiji’s national drink, Kava. Kava, which is made from the root of a plant, is certainly an acquired taste and even by the time my stay in Fiji was over I couldn’t help feeling that it tasted like a cross between dirty washing up water and potato peeling, but like it or not you can’t leave Fiji without having a few bowls of the stuff. Not to be missed is a Saturday night on Robinson Crusoe when the staff put on a dance show, showcasing numerous dances from around Fiji, including fire dancing which is a spectacular sight after dark.

Following my stay on Robinson Crusoe I was off to the Yasawas, a group of islands to the North of Nadi. I had been told that the Yasawas were where I would get my desert island experience and that is exactly what I got. Many of the resorts are small and intimate, often run by families who made me so welcome that you instantly understand why Fijians are known for being some of the friendliest people in the world. The beaches were stunning, and the snorkelling breathtaking, with the opportunity to go swimming with Manta Rays. Evenings on the Yasawas are what you make of them; although many resorts do have a small bar most are not open late. But this gives the perfect opportunity to have an early night, lie on the beach under the stars or, as we often did, build a fire and get to know your hosts and fellow guests.

I did my trip to the Yasawas with 'Awesome Adventures Fiji' which offers a variety of passes for most budgets and wants. My package, the 'Lazy Threesome' consisted of three islands over six days and included all transport, accommodation and food. Admittedly accommodation is basic on both Robinson Crusoe and the Yasawas; with the showers often being little more than a bucket of cold water, but if you can look past these and see them as part of the adventure then these islands will easily surpass all your expectations.

The third and final part of my time in Fiji was to be spent on the main island of Viti Levu on the 'Feejee Experience'. This is a hop on hop off bus tour around the island, which is much more than just a way of getting from A to B. Almost everyone had told me that the first thing to do when you get to Fiji is to get off the mainland. Whilst it’s true you don’t want to spend long in Nadi, the Feejee experience showed me that you really will miss out if you don’t see the rest of Viti Levu. Unlike Robinson Crusoe and the Yasawas, Viti Levu is much less geared towards tourists and is therefore a chance to see the ‘real’ Fiji, with a local Fijian as your guide who is just a fount of knowledge; it offers the perfect blend of culture and adventure. In just four days I went sand boarding, bilibili rafting, river tubing, cleansed my skin in a natural mud pool and trekked through the jungle, all in the pouring rain and yet loved every minute. On top of all this we travelled through some of the island's remote villages, where we learnt about the structure of a village society and had local kids to show us around. The Feejee Experience really is well worth the time, in as little as four days you can learn so much about Fiji whilst at the same time having a lot of fun.

So did I get bored during my time in Fiji? The honest answer is not once. With so much to do in such beautiful surroundings I could have happily stayed longer. I'm not saying that when in Fiji you shouldn’t lie on the beach and do nothing, it’s the perfect place for it, but it shouldn’t be the be all and end all of your stay in this wonderfully enchanting country that has so much to offer.    



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