Looking for someplace new to go, Nancy and I came across Fiji. Fiji is a fairly popular destination for many Aussies so we thought we would give it a try. It is one of only a few places we can go without flying for 12+ hours to get there. A mere three and a half hour flight on Fiji Air and you are in Fiji, 1700 miles from Brisbane.
Until you travel across it or through part of it it is difficult to understand how big the Pacific Ocean really is. Anyhow, we booked a week at the Marriott Resort on Fiji, packed a few relaxing type clothes, and took off.
Fiji is a fairly undeveloped country full of happy people who live on Fiji time which is a rather relaxed way of looking at doing stuff. Most of the tourist connected activities, up scale housing, and a golf course are on a small island called Denarau Island just a little ways from Nadi, which hosts the country’s best airport. Suva is the Capitol and is about twice the size of Nadi. Nadi’s population is around 50,000 people. Fiji is surrounded by hundreds of smaller islands, some have people on them, some don’t. They all have sandy beaches and some tropical growth in he center if they are large enough.
The Marriott Resort is not on Denarau Island but rather about 50 kilometers south and west of Nadi, along the coast. We chose the Marriott because I always wanted to stay at one of these tropical island kind of places on a beach, or over the water. There were no over the water places available but we did get a nice place on the beach. Turns out the beach place is better because the only places you can go from the over the water ones is straight into the water or along a long walk back to the beach. We had the beach right outside of our back door.
So, we arrived late in the afternoon, processed through immigration and customs and went to collect our rental car. Nancy had done some research regarding the island and a drive through the central highlands was highly recommended with the use of a 4 wheel drive vehicle being the preferred mode. I had reserved a 4 Wheel drive SUV but when we got to the counter they said they do not have 4 wheel drive SUV’s. If I wanted a 4 wheel drive, I would have to rent a UTE (Aussie for pick up truck), so I did. We were able to get Google maps on our phones so that showed us the way, along with an advisory that they were several heavy traffic delays along the way. Due to the delay getting the rental and the traffic, it was dark by the time we got out of town. That’s when the drive became interesting.
As I mentioned, Fiji is fairly under developed so most of the people do not have cars. They use public trans or walk. When they walk they walk along the side of the road, in the dark, in dark clothing … and they cross whenever they feel like it. Consequently, it is not uncommon, while driving in the dark, to suddenly have a person, or several, appear in front of you. Caution was the key so we didn’t hit anyone. It did slow us down.
Once we got further out into the country, there were fewer humans but cows, pigs, and horses started appearing right next to or right on the road, again, caution prevailed and we made it to the Marriott without any drama. We checked in, got a golf cart ride out to our villa, unpacked a bit and turned in. The resort is very nice. The people there treat you very well, they have several restaurants, bars, and a bunch of activities you can sign up for. I likened it to a cruise ship, where they prefer you stay right on board and spend your money there rather than spend it somewhere else. Here’s a few pictures of our arrival.
As I mentioned, it rained most of the first day we were there. Gave us a chance to unwind a bit, get our bearings, book some activities and plan our stay. Our first day was the only day it rained. The rest of the time it was mostly sunny and in the mid 80’s. Being a small Island it was quite humid but that was okay. We booked jet ski rides for each of us for the next day, then the following day we did some driving around to see some local sites. Went to a Hindu Temple and The Sleeping Giant Garden.
So that was day three. The weather was holding out so we were pleased we had booked a boat cruise out of Denarau Island to a private island where we could snorkel, scuba, surf, tour in a glass bottom boat, kayak, or paddle board. It was an all day tour that included lunch and drinks.
That was the island cruise. had a great time, it still had not rained so the next day we decided to assault the hills. There are no “mountains” on Fiji but the geography rises sharply from the coastal areas into high (1000 to 2000 foot) ridges that run across the island in several places. These mountains are referred to as the central highlands. While they are not real high, they are exceptionally rugged. Steep slopes, crevasses, rivers, and very poor roads make crossing or touring them a challenge. We had a leisurely breakfast then “headed for the hills” so to speak. Our initial plan was to proceed up a popular road to what they referred to as the top, then turn around and return. I was very grateful we had our Ute as the road was a big challenge. But, because of the larger wheels, wider tires, and 4 wheel drive it was just plain fun.
When we go to the top we felt that proceeding on to another road that would take us out to the coast would be more interesting than reversing on the course we had just driven, so we did. It was a bit longer than what we had planned but was very impressive. First a few pictures from around the resort then off to the hills.
We completed our drive, returned to the resort, and stopped by the Fish Bar for some rehydration.
Our last day there we took another drive that was supposed to be along the shore. It may have been but the brush and dunes prevented you from seeing the ocean. We did the drive and returned, packed, and prepared for the next day’s departure. Here’s someone we spotted along the drive.
We were up at 4 AM the next morning, got a ride with our luggage to checkout, drove back to the airport, turned in our rental, checked in for our flight, had a coffee for breakfast, flew back to Brisbane and drove home to Tannum sands. Made it home by 5, had a pizza, and turned in early. A good vacation. thanks for coming along.
