Fiji 6th April – 10th April 2009
We landed in Fiji at 6am (local time) at the Nadi airport, first thing you see as you walk off the aeroplane (and across the tarmac) is the amazing mountain range.
We were lucky enough to race through customs, checkout and walk out the airport door straight into a taxi.
Mistake 1: Without thinking there would be much difference between taxi protocol around the world, it was only 20minutes into our 70min drive that we enquired into the fare; we had realised the trip meter was not on let alone working. $110(FJ) – bugger – some smooth talking and amazing haggling on my part got the fare down to $100! Jon 1 – Fiji Taxi driver 0
Mistake 2: Checking into our hotel (which looked pretty amazing). Strolled up to reception handed over our hotel vouchers only to be told that our accommodation had been booked incorrectly, our hotel vouchers were only valid from the 10th of April. Sandy gave me that look (that has seemed to gone up a level now we are engaged, cheers for the warning Adam). But as the lovely lady behind the counter quickly informed us, ‘it’s ok we are in Fiji, no problems’ within ten minutes they had sorted our dilemma and in a room by 9am.
So Fiji is a pretty amazing place once you have gotten into the groove, or stepped into ‘Fiji time’ as the locals call it. We were there for a good friends wedding, Kathryn & Ash, which was awesome. The wedding went off without a hitch, well other than a little rain (lots) in the middle of the day, but that passed and didn’t diminish the festivities in the slightest.
We don’t want to over kill this blog so here are our top 10 handy tips and very short stories that kind of sum up our time in Fiji. There could easily have been 20 or 30 more; it’s definitely an amazing place.
1. Only two Fijian words you ever need to know, bula – hello, vinaka – thank you. Get used to hearing them every 5 seconds.
2. Fiji Bitter – local beer, fosters brewed – happy hour $2.50 from bula bar. Don’t drink Fiji Gold, it’s the poofters drink.
3. Don’t eat at the hotel, try as many different places as you can, even the 24 hour roadside BBQ hut - $4 (FJ) per serve, bargain basement prices! See photo.
4. Crazy crabs in the mornings, frogs at night, horses and dogs on the road everywhere.
5. Get out of the hotel, we did a road trip one day (12 hours & 400kms) with Michael & Jamie, best day of the trip. Avoid crazy local elders named Steve, and whatever you do – DON’T tell him you don’t believe in Jesus (Cheers Michael) or be prepared for a 20minute god rant.
6. If you look like a Fijian, as Jamie and I do (or half-cast as in my case???) the locals won’t eat you, not good news for Sandy. Don’t know why but in one day 3 different people asked Jamie and me if we were Fijian? She is American for those who haven’t met her before, and while yes Jamie is part Philippine I have no idea why I looked Fijian.
7. Avoid horse rides along the beach with a cross dressing local as a guide. Sandy seems to have a knack for attracting the ‘strange ones’. They have a knack for finding me!! Too nice!!
8. Pacific Harbour has the best pool side bar. Ref to photos
9. If you’re white you’re sweet, cops won’t stop you, 8 people in a Toyota Yaris, no problem. Sorry Theepan might be best if you don’t drive over there.
10. Taxi drivers are insane, if you rent a car drive it like you stole it. Aidan this is your’ kind of driving - you will love it, overtaking on a hill around a blind corner at night, no problem.
We were lucky enough to race through customs, checkout and walk out the airport door straight into a taxi.
Mistake 1: Without thinking there would be much difference between taxi protocol around the world, it was only 20minutes into our 70min drive that we enquired into the fare; we had realised the trip meter was not on let alone working. $110(FJ) – bugger – some smooth talking and amazing haggling on my part got the fare down to $100! Jon 1 – Fiji Taxi driver 0
Mistake 2: Checking into our hotel (which looked pretty amazing). Strolled up to reception handed over our hotel vouchers only to be told that our accommodation had been booked incorrectly, our hotel vouchers were only valid from the 10th of April. Sandy gave me that look (that has seemed to gone up a level now we are engaged, cheers for the warning Adam). But as the lovely lady behind the counter quickly informed us, ‘it’s ok we are in Fiji, no problems’ within ten minutes they had sorted our dilemma and in a room by 9am.
So Fiji is a pretty amazing place once you have gotten into the groove, or stepped into ‘Fiji time’ as the locals call it. We were there for a good friends wedding, Kathryn & Ash, which was awesome. The wedding went off without a hitch, well other than a little rain (lots) in the middle of the day, but that passed and didn’t diminish the festivities in the slightest.
We don’t want to over kill this blog so here are our top 10 handy tips and very short stories that kind of sum up our time in Fiji. There could easily have been 20 or 30 more; it’s definitely an amazing place.
1. Only two Fijian words you ever need to know, bula – hello, vinaka – thank you. Get used to hearing them every 5 seconds.
2. Fiji Bitter – local beer, fosters brewed – happy hour $2.50 from bula bar. Don’t drink Fiji Gold, it’s the poofters drink.
3. Don’t eat at the hotel, try as many different places as you can, even the 24 hour roadside BBQ hut - $4 (FJ) per serve, bargain basement prices! See photo.
4. Crazy crabs in the mornings, frogs at night, horses and dogs on the road everywhere.
5. Get out of the hotel, we did a road trip one day (12 hours & 400kms) with Michael & Jamie, best day of the trip. Avoid crazy local elders named Steve, and whatever you do – DON’T tell him you don’t believe in Jesus (Cheers Michael) or be prepared for a 20minute god rant.
6. If you look like a Fijian, as Jamie and I do (or half-cast as in my case???) the locals won’t eat you, not good news for Sandy. Don’t know why but in one day 3 different people asked Jamie and me if we were Fijian? She is American for those who haven’t met her before, and while yes Jamie is part Philippine I have no idea why I looked Fijian.
7. Avoid horse rides along the beach with a cross dressing local as a guide. Sandy seems to have a knack for attracting the ‘strange ones’. They have a knack for finding me!! Too nice!!
8. Pacific Harbour has the best pool side bar. Ref to photos
9. If you’re white you’re sweet, cops won’t stop you, 8 people in a Toyota Yaris, no problem. Sorry Theepan might be best if you don’t drive over there.
10. Taxi drivers are insane, if you rent a car drive it like you stole it. Aidan this is your’ kind of driving - you will love it, overtaking on a hill around a blind corner at night, no problem.
JR, On holidays you are allowed to smile in your photo's you tool.
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