Holidays in Fiji

When arriving by boat to spend time on a Fijian island, the traditional welcome from the locals is simply spellbinding. Leaving your vessel to wade shin-deep to the shore in warm, clear sea, an acoustic band in the traditional costume of sulus (sarongs) with flowers in their hair play a pretty Fijian song of welcome on the beach, then warmly greet each new arrival in turn. Like the presentation of the lei flower garland upon arrival in Hawaii, this is a little piece of sincere South Pacific magic that never fails to melt the hardest heart. Typical of the musically-obsessed people in this enchanting paradise, you can also expect a song of farewell when the time for you to leave Fiji has come. And trust us when we say that tearing yourself away from wonderful Fiji is not easy!

With a population of less than one million, Fiji is made up of over 320 islands and 520 islets. As seen in the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away (2000), shot on the gorgeous uninhabited Fijian island of Monuriki, many of these present visions of ‘classic’ desert islands. Coconuts fall randomly from palm trees fringing the beautiful beaches of soft white sand that squeaks underfoot; the clear blue sea teems with multi-coloured fish living amongst the coral, making Fiji one of the great diving and snorkelling destinations.

In such heavenly surroundings populated by such genuinely friendly, totally laid-back people, it is virtually impossible not to totally unwind here. Life moves at a slow pace and little in Fiji works to a timetable, so synchronise to ‘Fiji Time’ and you’ll soon be in the groove! Without doubt, you will be gently encouraged for the time you are in Fiji to participate in local customs such as drinking the mood-elevating kava, made from the root of the yanqona plant; learning Fijian folk songs and dances and visiting delightful native villages. Just go with it and you will have a fantastic time, making a lot of friends along the way.