Fiji

Once notorious as the “Cannibal Isles,” Fiji is now the colorful crossroads of South Pacific travel. Of the 322 islands that make up the Fiji Group, over 100 are inhabited by a rich mixture of vibrant, exuberant Melanesians East Indians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Chinese, and Europeans, each with a cuisine and culture of their own. Here Melanesia mixes with Polynesia, ancient India with the Pacific, and tradition with the modern world in a unique blend.

Fiji offers posh resorts and hotels, good food and accommodations, nightlife, historic sites, hiking, kayaking, camping, surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Travel around Fiji is easy by small plane, catamaran, copra boat, outboard canoe, open-sided bus, and air-conditioned coach. With even a month at your disposal you'll barely scratch the surface of all there is to see and do.

Best of all, Fiji is a visitor-friendly country with uncrowded, inexpensive facilities available almost everywhere. You'll love the vibrant, outgoing people whose knowledge of English makes communicating a breeze. In a word, Fiji is a traveler's country, and whatever your budget, Fiji gives you good value for your vacation dollars and plenty of ways to spend them. Bula, welcome to Fiji.

Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987, caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji, led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE.

Geography
Area: 18,376 sq. km (7,056 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Suva (pop. 167,000), Lautoka (pop. 30,000), Nadi.
Terrain: Mountainous or varied.
Climate: Tropical maritime.

People
Nationality: Noun--Fiji Islander; adjective--Fiji or Fijian.*
Population (2004 est.): 880,874.
Age structure: 31.7% under 14; 4% over 65.
Annual growth rate (2004 est.): 1.41%.
Ethnic groups: Indigenous Fijian 54%, Indo-Fijian 40%.
Religion: Christian 52% (Methodist and Roman Catholic), Hindu 33%, Muslim 7%.
Languages: English (official), Fijian, Hindi.
Education: Literacy--93%.
Health: Life expectancy--male 66.74 years; female 71.79. Infant mortality rate--12.99/1,000.
Work force: Agriculture--67%.

Economy
GDP (2004): $2.9 billion.
GDP per capita (nominal): $3,436.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity): $3,707.
GDP composition by sector: Services 59.7%, industry 30.4%, agriculture 9.9%.
Industry: Types--tourism, sugar, garments.
Trade: Exports--$618.8 million; sugar, garments, gold, fish, mineral water. Major markets--Australia, New Zealand, Japan, U.S., U.K. Imports--$721 million; basic manufactures, machinery and transport equipment. Major sources--Australia, New Zealand, U.S. ($50.7 million).
External debt (2004): $112.8 million.

NADI

Nadi (but pronounced "nandi" is one of Fiji's main tourist towns. It is on Viti Levu's west coast near the major international airport. There is plenty of budget accomodation and is a good place from where to visit the Mamanuca group or organise your travel around Viti Levu. Local sights include a temple, market, some local beaches, and a variety of activities. Tourism is the major industry in Nadi and there are many souvenir and duty-free shops.

LAUTOKA

This may be an option instead of Nadi because it's still close to the Nadi airport, is less touristy and a good place from where to reach the Yasawa group of islands. Lautoka is Fiji's second largest city and an important centre for Fiji's sugar cane and timber industries. There is a local mosque, Sikh temple and Hari Krishna temple. During your stay you could also visit the South Pacific Distilleries plant which produces gin, rum, vodka and whisky.

YASAWA GROUP

This is a group of 16 islands off the west coast of Viti Levu. The weather here is usually quite dry and there are lovely beaches and lagoons. Unfortunately tourism is not as well set up as on the other major islands but you can find budget accomodation and some transport. Get cash before you come here. To get here go to Lautoka on Viti Levu.

VANUA LEVU

This is the second largest island in Fiji and is largely a cane growing area. About 20% of the population live here and there is good local transport for getting around. Surprisingly it is less visited and thus a little more traditional. The main towns include Labasa and Savusavu. Many travellers use Savusavu for ferries and flights.

TAVEUNI

For excellent diving, bird watching, fishing, whales, hiking trails and scenic beauty Taveuni is probably your choice. It lies off the east coast of Vanua Levu. The island is very lush and has rainforests and trails to explore. Try visiting in November to see the whales in the Somosomo Strait.

SUVA

Nestled into a yawning harbour on the southeastern coast of the big island of Viti Levu, Suva is sticky with sweat and industry, but this is Fiji's confluence of ethnicities and cultures. Within the urban milieu you'll discover the influence of every island and background.

Fiji is brimming with colorful attractions, splendid scenery, friendly people, and exciting things to do. From the gateway city Nadi with its numerous shopping and dining possibilities, it's only a quick commuter hop to the enticing Mamanuca Group with about half of Fiji's resorts. The long, narrow Yasawa Group off the sugar city Lautoka is wilder, mightier, and less developed than the Mamanucas: The beaches are longer, the jungle-clad mountains higher, and the accommodations rougher. It's Fiji's most magnificent island chain.

Fiji's mainland, Viti Levu, is the "real" Fiji, where much of the country's history has unfolded and the bulk of the Fijian people live out their lives. The 486-km highway around Viti Levu passes a series of appealing cities and towns with bustling markets, bus stations, shops, cafes, clubs, monuments, and facilities of every kind. The Coral Coast in the south is the country's second resort area, with a series of large hotels nicely spaced between Nadi and Pacific Harbor. Pacific Harbor itself offers access to some of the best diving, fishing, kayaking, white-water rafting, and golfing in the South Pacific, and Nananu-i-Ra off Viti Levu's north coast is a favorite of backpackers.

Fiji's current capital, Suva, has the country's finest cinemas, monuments, museums, nightlife, restaurants, stores, and all of the excitement of the South Pacific's biggest town. Ships, buses, and planes depart Suva for every corner of the republic. It's a fascinating place to explore.

Several adjacent islands allow one to escape from Suva. Kadavu to the south is a characteristic Fijian island of small villages strewn between beaches and hills, but it is also a mecca for scuba divers who come for the Astrolabe Reef, and for surfers who have discovered Kadavu's waves. Back toward Viti Levu is Yanuca with inexpensive beach camps full of enthusiastic surfers.

Anyone with even the slightest interest in Fiji's vivid history won't wish to miss Ovalau and the timeworn old capital Levuka. Across the Koro Sea from Ovalau is Vanua Levu, Fiji's second island, heart of the "friendly north." Because a slight effort is involved in getting there, far fewer tourists ply these exotic shores. Yet Savusavu is Fiji's most picturesque town (after Levuka).

Repeat visitors and local Fijians often assert that Taveuni is Fiji's finest isle, a claim which is difficult to deny. Taveuni's high spine is draped in impenetrable rainforest, with huge coconut plantations tumbling to the coast. Magnificent waterfalls pour down the steep slopes, and the scuba diving is world famous.

Fiji's multi-cultural population is mirrored in its cuisine. Fijian cooking draws heavily on seafood, often cooked in lolo, or coconut cream. Pork, chicken, and root crops are common ingredients. Vegetarian meals are also widely available. The Indian influence comes in exotic curries served with a variety of condiments-some of the best Indian food anywhere is available in Fiji. Restaurants, clubs, and resorts throughout Fiji offer a wide range of food, liquor, and wines.

Fiji caters well for most outdoorsy types, as well as those who desire to do nothing but remain on/around the beach. There is swimming, snorkeling or diving, and Fiji offers these as well as some excellent surfing, river rafting, wind surfing and sailing. There are fringing reefs all over the islands for splendid diving and snorkeling, but good surf breaks are fewer and farther between. The Mamanucas have some dedicated surfing resorts and good waves but you need a boat to get to the offshore reefs where they break. There are a few good breaks off Viti Levu including those near Sigatoka and the Suva lighthouse, and off Yanuca island On dry land you can go cycling, trekking and horse riding, or engage in the more cerebral 'activities' of bird-watching and exploring archaeological sites. Fiji is well set up for tourists and there are facilities everywhere offering equipment for hire, day tours and courses.

Fiji's geographic position makes it the hub of transport for the entire South Pacific, and Nadi is the region's most important international airport, with long-haul services to points all around the Pacific Rim. Eleven international airlines fly into Nadi.

A departure tax of F$30 in cash Fijian currency is payable on all international flights, but transit passengers connecting within 12 hours and children under the age of 12 are exempt (no airport tax on domestic flights). This tax is often included in the ticket price.

Fiji has four ports of entry for cruising yachts: Lautoka, Levuka, Savusavu, and Suva. Calling at an outer island before clearing customs is prohibited

While most international flights are focused on Nadi, Fiji's domestic air service radiates from Suva and two local airlines compete fiercely. Air Fiji is based at Suva's Nausori Airport while Sun Air's routes radiate from Nadi.

Most local shipping operates out of Suva. The largest company is Patterson Brothers Shipping which runs car ferries to Ovalau and Vanua Levu. Consort Shipping and Beachcomber Cruises serve Savusavu and Taveuni. Awesome Adventures' high speed catamaran Yasawa Flyer operates daily between Nadi and the Yasawa Group.

Scheduled bus service is available all over Fiji, and fares are low. Most long-distance bus services operate several times a day and bus stations are usually adjacent to local markets. Shared "running" taxis and minibuses also shuttle back and forth between Suva, Nadi, and Lautoka, leaving when full and charging only a little more than the bus. They'll often drop you exactly where you want to go; drawbacks include the less safe driving and lack of insurance coverage.