Category Archives: Fiji Facts

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Our Fijian team won the gold medal in the new Olympic sport of rugby sevens in Rio de Janeiro.

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Fiji’s rugby Sevens team was the pre-Olympic favorite. The team had won the last two world rugby sevens competitions.

We finished ahead of larger countries like South Africa, Australia ,Argentina & Britian.

The game was played at 10 a.m. Friday and in Fiji most businesses closed to allow their employees to watch the match.

The national rugby stadium in Suva was filled with 15,000 people who watched the match on a large screen.

When the final second ticked off the clock in the 43-7 victory over Great Britain, people went crazy and danced in the street of Nadi, Suva, Sigatoka in fact just about everywhere in Fiji.

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“I was just thankful to the lord for blessing us and giving us an opportunity to win in a mega-sport arena like the Olympics,” Captain Courageous Kolinisau told a press conference that began with the sound of applause. “I never dreamed of being an Olympian, let alone being a medalist, let alone being a gold medalist. The whole world were amazed at the absolute respect that the players showed Princess Anne while accepting, from her, their coveted Gold Medals.  Each player in turn knelt on both knees, accepted their medal and then clapped with cup hands in a traditional Fijian thanksgiving ritual.

Watch the scene on You Tube    `

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6GvvJFNhgE

 

Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama announced a public holiday for August 22. That is when the team will return from Rio.

THE victory celebration for Fiji’s historic gold medal win in the Olympic Games in Rio will be held at the ANZ Stadium in Suva on  Monday  22nd after a march through the Capital City with the Fiji 7s team.

The march route will be through the city from the Flea Market to the ANZ Stadium via Thurston St, McGregor Rd, Bau St, and on to Laucala Bay Rd to the stadium.

“Monday is a special holiday that has been set aside for the celebration of the Olympic gold victory that no other Pacific country has ever had. Celebrations will be held at the ANZ Stadium,”  Economy Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said.

The team will be accorded a traditional welcoming ceremony by the Vanua Rara o Nakelo and will be garlanded by the Ballantine Memorial School 7s team that won the girls 7s title last weekend. “His Excellency the President will hand over  the incentive that the Fiji Government had announced, with respect of the winners of a gold medal. The $30,000 each will be given to 17 people including the 13 players and four in management”

“Members of the public, supporters and families are invited to wait at Prince Charles Park in Nadi for the Team Fiji Welcome Ceremony at 2.30pm,” AFL spokesperson Christopher Chand said.

“The gates at Prince Charles Park will open from 10am on Sunday in preparation for the Team Ceremony.”  Let us celebrate the win.

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Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park

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A visit to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes is one of the many things to do when you are in Sigatoka, Coral Coast.

It is located at the mouth of the Sigatoka River on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. They are located approximately 3km west of the town of Sigatoka.

They are the product of erosion in the coastal hinterland and coastal dune forming processes. The extensive dube system covers an area of 650 hectares and comprises a series of parabolic sand dunes at various ages and activities.

The dunes range from around 20-60m tall. The dunes have been forming over millions of years and archaeligical excavations here have uncovered pottery more than 2600 years old, as well as one of the largest burial sites in the pacific.

The Park is open daily from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Its Visitor Information Centre is manned by local rangers, who provide an informative introduction to the Park’s status and how to traverse its walking tracks.

Visitors can take the 1 hour walk or the 2 hour walk to explore this unique ecosystem or seek a guided tour from the local rangers onsite.

Both walks provide visitors an opportunity to experience firsthand the key attributes that make the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, a well known national heritage. We recommend the 2 hr walk for a full on ‘Dunal experience’.

Two popular Park activities include a visit to the old archaeological sites to see ancient lapita artifacts and bird watching in the Park’s pockets of Native Dry Forests.

The Park also runs a Going Native program which sees visitors helping local rangers and local community volunteers replant native trees.

The Park is a popular destination for many international student groups wanting to experience Fijian culture, history and wilderness.

Specially designed programs are available for visitors wanting to make their visit to the Park more experiential and memorable. For details on the Park’s special programs, please contact the Park.

 

Breeding Program at Kula Eco Park

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Kula Eco Park is the ecological preserve in Fiji. Here is some information on breeding programs at Kula Eco Park.  The Monuriki Crested Iguana is one of the near endangered iguanas in Fiji. Kula Eco Park has made an initiative to capture and breed the few iguanas left on the island of Monuriki. The breeding project started in 2009 and to date they have successfully bred many iguanas in their incubation centre.

In year 2010, there were 18 enclosure quarantined breeding facility designed and built at the park for incubation and breeding related activities.

Twenty Crested Iguanas from Monuriki Island were captured by staff of the NTF and the Monuriki landowners, and were delivered to Kula Eco Park in 2009 – 2010.

Currently they hold 19 wild-caught adult Crested Iguanas from Monuriki Island and 32 healthy captive bred off-spring PLUS an additional 18 eggs in incubation from the 2014 season.

It is difficult to distinguish juvenile males from females until they reach maturity. At maturity males develop the first signs of femoral pores on their hind legs. These large pores secrete a waxy substance that is used to mark a male iguana’s territory, and is thought to aid in communication between individual iguanas. The 32 iguana bred to date have been released to their natural environment at Monuriki on May 24th 2015. It is a great achievement for Kula Eco Park.

The Captive breeding and head start program is being carried out with utmost care to reduce the possibility of inbreeding. All iguana, wild caught and captive bred, are micro-chipped for ease of identification during captive breeding. These micro-chips will also prove invaluable during release and post release monitoring.

So next time you plan a trip to Fiji, do not miss coming to Coral Coast and to visit the Kula Eco Park for a firsthand experience of Fiji’s wildlife and the breeding programs.

 

Transportation in Fiji

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Fiji transport options give visitors many ways to travel on the mainland and also along with the islands which make up the Fiji Islands. Some of the main options are to hire a car if you want to visit popular places without hiring a guide.  There are several rental car companies which you can choose from and have the opportunity to choose your favourite rental company that you are probably familiar with in the country you live. This will also give you the opportunity to travel at your own pace.

This will also allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds for as long as you wish. However, the inland roads are unsealed so you may wish to rent a 4WD so you can really get the full impact of Viti Levu. A standard car, on the other hand will allow you to travel on the main road known as Queens Road on the south coast and Kings Road on the north coast.

Renting either a car or 4WD vehicle is not a problem. You will need legal documents such as your driver’s license and passport along with car insurance that protects the vehicle. If you prefer to ride instead of drive, our Fiji bus system is there.

Fiji Bus Network

You can enjoy a variety of buses for your Fiji transportation option. The Fiji bus line offers modern air conditioned coaches as well as local buses without any windows. If you want to meet locals and enjoy all their stories then your best bet are the local buses.

The main islands are dotted with bus stops, however, we are so hospitable that all you have to do is wave to a bus driver and he will gladly pull over so you can take a ride.

 

Fiji Ferries

You can find several ways to venture off to the tropical islands that are scattered through the South Pacific Ocean in the Fiji Islands. Some of the ways you can visit these islands include inter-island vessels, cruise ships, and Fiji ferries. Several of the resort hotels offer ferries to their guests, on the other hand if you are not staying at a resort you can find Fiji ferries between Ovalau and Kadavu, Vanua Levu and Taveuni, and Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Other Fiji ferries will take you from Ellington Warf to Nabouwalu on the west coast, from Natovi Landing to Savusavu, Natovi Landing to Ovalau, and Buca Bay to Taveuni.

 

Shopping in Fiji

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 Talk about shopping, who doesn’t love it!  Fiji shopping is one thing you must not forget to do while you vacationing here. You are sure to be disappointed if you go home and realize that you have missed a bountiful time of duty free shopping in Fiji. It is better to exchange money, at banks and carry Fiji currency because some small shops do not accept foreign currency and credit cards however if you wish to use credit card and foreign currency then you can use them in larger duty free shops.

In Fiji you can bargain, so it is better to keep Fiji currency as you might be surprised as it could be at times cheaper than using your credit card.

The most popular shopping in Fiji is found in Fiji Handicraft shops that offer traditional artifacts that are designed by locals. Fiji shopping is not only fun but is a great way to find several treasures totake back home to family and friends.

Fiji shops offer a wide variety of items from Fiji artisans such as clothing made from masi or tapa cloth, several woven items, and beautiful carvings. Shopping in Fiji would not be the same if you did not venture off to these local Fiji shops to find such gems as carved cannibal bowls, forks, crockery, and clay pots.

If you are searching for a more affordable souvenir, you should look for a sports wear Fiji shop offering bula shirts and a wide-ranging selection of swimwear. These types of shops offer many different items that will be perfect to take home to friends or family members without costing you large amounts of money.

Fiji shopping has to include a market that offers spices (You may have to declare food items when you arrive at your country) for you to take home and enjoy. Some of the popular spices you can purchase with Fijian currency or in some cases your own currency are cardamom, pepper, ginger, and cinnamon. In most cases, you can find the best-priced spices at the Fiji municipal Market.  Happy Shopping!!!

 

Fijian Village Life

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In a Fijian village you will see few, if any fences between homes and children run from one home to the next at will and without thought. This communal sense of living forms the cornerstone of Fijian village life and most Fijians find it not right to build a fence or wall between their homes. Most homes are now not thatched like a traditional bure but are simple rectangular, pitched roof houses made from industrial materials. Fijians are known as to be very friendly people but as friendly as they are, it is important to know that it is considered rude to just turn up and wander around in the village.

You will always receive a treat if you are invited to a Fijian village. We, Fijians are famously hospitable. It is good to take a ‘sevusevu’ when you visiting a village. ‘Sevusevu’ is a presentation of a gift such as kava for, say, permission to visit a village or just a token of appreciation for being a part of some special event in the village. Kava or Yaqona is sold at most markets and you should buy a minimum of half a kilo in waka (root) form rather than pounded. The chief normally accepts the gift and will welcome you to take part kava ceremony. The chief and the village elders sit around the yaqona bowl engaging in a ‘Talanoa’ (gossip) session.

In everyday Fijian village life you will expect to hear the pots and pans clattering early morning.  The women tend to do most of the domestic duties – washing, cooking, cleaning and looking after the children. Men spend most of their time farming and fishing. Evenings are often spent sitting in the chief’s house talking and drinking yaqona.

 

Snorkeling In Fiji

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Snorkeling is simply the best in Fiji. There are so many places to explore. With its warm crystal clear waters, amazing coral reefs and heaps of marine life, snorkeling in Fiji is great.

Fiji is often referred as the ‘Soft Coral Capital of the World’.  May through October is the best months for snorkeling and the underwater visibility is superb at over 30 meters.  I believe there is no such place as the best location for snorkeling because there is such a wide variety of marine life everywhere in Fiji. There is something special and unique that makes snorkeling in Fiji waters a great experience with its reef system well preserved.

Under water marine life photos taken in front of Bedarra Beach Inn

On the main island of Viti Levu, there are a number of good snorkeling sites along the Coral Coast and even Pacific Harbour.  Dive Away Fiji dive company based in Coral Coast  can take you to some great spots along Coral Coast for snorkeling and diving. At Pacific Harbour you will get to see the extinct volcano crater known as Beqa Lagoon. In the outer island near Mamanuca Group and Yasawas, it is great to snorkel and dive too. It is always important to wear t/shirt and lots of sunscreen while in the water. We should also be careful not to touch or hold coral or any other form of marine life. This helps preserve Fiji’s underwater ecosystem, and you also may not know if something is poisonous. Snorkeling at night can be a unique experience too.

 

Sigatoka Town

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My home town is called Sigatoka, pronounced as Sing -a-toka.  Sigatoka Town is the only urban centre for Nadroga Navosa Province,  one of the 14 provinces in Fiji.  The area covers some 127 hectares on both sides of the Sigatoka River on the Queen’s highway.  Sigatoka is the main commerce and trading centre for the coral coast region of Fiji, with its close proximity to the resort and tourist attractions on the Coral Coast. Sigatoka has become a very important centre. When I have time I normally spend some at the new library at the Sigatoka Town Council building.

Don’t expect to see large department stores and the type of sophisticated shopping centers that you have at home.   The shops in Sigatoka town are mostly small, family run businesses and you won’t find the hustle and bustle of big cities.

The local market in Sigatoka is a highlight for tourists visiting the Coral Coast and a most interesting place to visit. The market is important as it connects the whole of Fiji – to the wide range of fruits and vegetables that come from the famously fertile farming district known as “Fiji’s salad bowl”.  Every day locals come to trade and sell their produce. The Saturday market is extremely busy and active with farmers bringing their products from all over the Sigatoka river valley.

It’s fun and interesting to wander around the market to see the wide variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, root crops including yagona roots (kava) and spices, freshwater mussels, fish etc.  I forgot to mention that we also have one of the biggest Hindu temples here.  The temple’s grand opening was in November 2010. Our town council is doing a fantastic job by keeping our town clean and further developing “My Town”. More updates to come soon…

 

Fijian Food

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I love Fijian traditional cuisine.  My favourite is the Fijian Lovo.  If you are here and you don’t try the Fjijan ‘Lovo’ meal then you have missed something big.  The Lovo is cooked very differently from other types of cooking. Normally we use fish, chicken, sweet potato, cassava which are wrapped in banana leaves and then cooked in a makeshift underground oven for at least 2.5 hours.  Palusami is coconut cream mixed with corned beef, herbs, lime juice and tomatoes and is a must in the Lovo. These are the main dishes consumed in Fijian homes on special occasions.  Have you heard of ‘Kokoda’? Pronounced Ko-kon-da.  This dish is also famous at weddings and special functions. It is raw fish (mainly Wahoo) marinated in coconut milk with lime, tomatoes and onions.  Coconut cream is widely used in Fijian cooking. You will see coconut trees everywhere in Fiji so people here make good use of them.

Bedarra Beach Inn Boys busy preparing Lovo Feast

 Almost half of the population in Fiji is Indian so Indian food and Indian restaurants are also popular in Fiji.  Indian curries are the most famous of all.  Indian restaurants throughout Fiji have curries prepared to suit your taste buds with mild, medium or very chilli hot. I can remember the last time I tried Indian curry (made south Indian style with lots of spices) it was sensational. I would not mind having that every week.  You will also find Chinese and European meals in the restaurants.  In all the towns around Fiji particularly in Suva , Lautoka, Sigatoka and Nadi you will get many varieties of food.

 

Fiji is my Home

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I am lucky to be living in the magical Islands of Fiji.   The islands are just tiny dots in the middle of Pacific Ocean and when you look at them on a map of the World, you really have to concentrate to find them.  One of the things I like the most is that Fiji has a beautiful tropical climate – it’s like summer time all year long. Viti Levu and Vanua Levu are the two main islands in Fiji however there are 333 islands altogether, most of which I haven’t even visited yet

 Fiji was a British colony but in 1970 we gained independence. We speak mostly English as it is our main language but the Fijian and Indian languages are spoken too.  I live on the Coral Coast, on the Southern shores of Viti Levu. My local town is Sigatoka which lies at the heart of the Coral Coast and is a very nice place.  It is not too urbanized. You can see lush tropical forests around you but always find the stunning view of the blue Pacific Ocean right around the next corner. Sigatoka is threaded by the Sigatoka River, and further inland, up the Sigatoka Valley is a farming area called the Salad Bowl of Fiji and this is where we get our fruits and vegetables from. There is so much to do and see on the Coral Coast. From riding a Zip Line to splashing under a waterfall, there are Eco Parks and caves to explore, sand dunes to climb and surf to ride,   fish to catch and treks to hike. There is no such thing as boredom on the Coral Coast but if relaxation is what you enjoy, then just find a shady spot on the beach and watch the white ribbon of the waves as they break off shore on the ocean reef that protects this coast and forms our Lagoon.

View of the Sigatoka Bridge and River