Hotels in Fiji

Fiji (sometimes called the Fiji Islands), is a Melanesian country in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about one-third of the way from New Zealand to Hawaii and consists of an archipelago of 332 islands, a handful of which make up most of the land area, and approximately 110 of which are inhabited. Fiji straddles the 180-degree longitude line (which crosses land on a remote tip of Vanua Levu and again near the centre of Taveuni). The international date line is configured to pass east of all of Fiji, placing it all in the one-time zone and "ahead" of most of the rest of the world. Fiji is the product of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters. Its varied coral reefs today draw tourists from around the world but were the nightmare of European mariners until well into the 19th century. As a result, Fijians have retained their land and often much of the noncommercial, sharing the attitude of people who live in vast extended families with direct access to natural resources. When it came, European involvement and cession to Britain were marked by the conversion to Christianity, the cessation of brutal tribal warfare and cannibalism, and the immigration of a large number of indentured Indian labourers, who now represent nearly half of the population, as well as smaller numbers of Europeans and Asians. Today, Fiji is a land of tropical rainforests, coconut plantations, fine beaches, and fire-cleared hills. For the casual tourist, it is blessedly free of evils such as malaria, landmines, or terrorism that attend many similarly lovely places in the world.

The 2006 coup and later political events caused a reduction in tourism. The Fiji tourism industry has responded by lowering prices and increasing promotion of resort areas that are distant from the politics of the capital Suva. Tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation. Tropical cyclonic storms (The South Pacific version of Hurricanes) can occur from November to April. Temperature sensitive visitors may wish to visit during the Southern Hemisphere winter. Fiji's people are among the most varied of all South Pacific nations. With a population of over 900,000, the country is a mixture of Indians (38%), Fijians (56%), ‘part-Europeans’ (1.7%), Europeans (0.7%), Rotumans (1.4%), Chinese (0.9%) and other Pacific Islanders (1%). Fijians, the indigenous inhabitants of Fiji, are Melanesians who possess a mixture of Polynesian blood which is apparent in the eastern islands (such as the Lau group), but less so in the west and interiors of the main islands. Fiji’s Indians can be divided into two broad cultural categories reinforced by physical differences. Those from the north of India – the ‘Calcutta’, or ‘Calcutta Wallahs’ – came from Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh through the immigration point of Calcutta and spoke ‘village’ Hindustani. The second group was the ‘Madrassis’, who generally had darker skin and lacked the sharp features of those from the north. The part-Europeans, also known as 'kai loma', are a distinct cultural group with one foot in the Fijian world and the other in the Western world. Many are descendants of White Australians, Americans or Europeans who established themselves either in Levuka, on the isolated coconut plantations of Vanua Levu or the outer islands of Fiji during the 19th century, and took Fijian wives. The Rotumans, a distinct Polynesian ethnic group, come from the island of Rotuma (465 km north-west of Fiji). The Chinese, of whom there are about 5,800, first came to Fiji in 1911. Many have intermarried with the local population.

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 labourers 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. There was a further military coup in 2006, led by Commodore Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama.

The official languages are English, Fijian and Hindi. English is the language of government and education and is spoken by most in Nadi, Suva and other major tourist areas. On a few of the less touristy islands, English may be spoken with some difficulty. Fijian is an Austronesian language of the Malayo-Polynesian family spoken in Fiji. It has 300,000 first-language speakers, which is more than half the population of Fiji, but another 300,000 speak it as a second language. According to Dr Albert Schutz, a former professor of linguistics at the University of Hawaii and a founder of the Fijian Dictionary Project, language has changed and splintered over the years into a multitude of different ‘communalists’ now numbering more than 300. This is because language divides as people spread out, and there may have been some additional input from more recent immigrants from other islands lying to the west. The Fijian ‘communalists’ belong to the enormous Austronesian language family, which means they are related to thousands of other languages spanning the globe from Malagasy in the west to Rapanui (Easter Island) in the east, from Aotearoa (New Zealand) in the south to Hawai’i and Taiwan in the north. The family includes such important national languages as Tagalog (Philippines) and Malay. After Fiji had been settled, the flow of population continued north and east. The languages of Polynesia (such as Māori, Tahitian, Tongan, Samoan and Hawaiian), the language of the tiny island of Rotuma to the north of Fiji, and of course their speakers, all originated in Fiji more than 3000 years ago. Most Fijian citizens of Indian descent - around 400,000 people - speak Fiji Hindi, the local dialect of the Hindi language. It is derived mainly from the Awadhi and Bhojpuri varieties of Hindi, with a substantial number of loanwords from Fijian and English. Learning a few key phrases in either Fijian or Fiji Hindi will win the hearts of many locals

How to Get There

Fiji has an international airport called Nadi International Airport. The tourists who came from Singapore that wants to get to Fiji need to travel there by plane. Take a flight from Singapore Changi Airport and choose for transit flights or straight flights to Fiji. The ticket price per person will be around SGD 4214 to SGD 4669. However, the price of the ticket will be increased at the peak season which is during the public holiday and school holiday season. The main airport in Fiji will be at Nadi International Airport. The journey from Singapore Changi Airport to Nadi International Airport will be around 22 hours 55 minutes. Once you have arrived, grab a taxi and go straight to their place to stay.

What to Do There

Fiji Museum

This museum in Fiji out of all Fiji points of interest offers an awesome adventure into the island’s cultural and historical development. To appreciate the shows in sequential order, begin with the presentations behind the ticket counter and work your way around clockwise. The highlight is an enormous Ratu Finau that is Fiji’s last double-hulled kayak famed to be over 13 meters long. Different attractions in the primary lobby incorporate war clubs and a grisly show about human flesh consumption, and so on.

Colo-I-Suva Forest Park

Colo-I-Suva is a 2.5 sq km forest park that includes a lavish rainforest overflowing with tropical plants and melodic fledgeling life. The 6.5-km of strolling trails offer exquisite vistas and great natural pools. Sitting at an elevation of 120m to 180m, it’s a cool and quiet rest from Suva’s urban upheaval. Slipping through the backwoods over rocks is Wasilla Creek that advances down to Waimanu River and forms a few water holes en route.

Suva Municipal Market

It’s the thumping heart of Suva and one amongst the best places to visit in Fiji. It is an extraordinary place to spend an hour or so jabbing around with a camera. The young men with barrows claim the paths, and they aren’t hesitant to cut down a couple of voyagers to convey their cassava on time. Other than the giant-sized cabbages, tomatoes, and chillies, pay special attention to cassava, jackfruits, and yams. Products here are less expensive than the ones in general stores, and there’s no compelling reason to bargain as the costs are stamped.

Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple

This brilliantly built Hindu temple is not only one of the best places to go in Fiji but also one of the handful spots outside India where you can see traditional Dravidian engineering. The wooden carvings of Gods came here from India, as did the specialists who decorated the temple in its vivid coat and breathtaking roof frescos.

Sigatoka Sand Dunes

One of the best places to visit in Fiji is the sand dunes that lie close to the mouth of the Sigatoka River. Windblown and rough, they remain about 5-km long, up to 1 km wide, around 20 m high, and ascending to around 60m at the western end due to which they were made a national stop in 1989.

Tavuni Hill Fort

Even though there are numerous forts scattered all through Fiji, Taveuni Hill Fort is the most famous of all. Built in the eighteenth century by Tongan Boss Maile Latumai, this one was a guarded site utilised during the war and is one of Fiji’s most intriguing chronicled sights. The lofty 90m-high limestone hill at the edge of a twist in the Sigatoka River is an undeniable key area for a stronghold. The perspectives over the fort are very eye-catchy which makes it a great one amongst all the places to see in Fiji.

Musket Cove Marina

This incredible marina is one of the best Fiji attractions that is known to pull in yachties from everywhere throughout the world. There are 27 moorings, 25 marina billets, dockside fuel and water, drop-mail benefits, clothing zone, and much more. It also houses places for hot showers, book swap, bicycle contract, a noticeboard, and constrained repair administrations.

Navilawa

The rough 4WD street to Navilawa embraces the Sabeto River, and there are some impeccable swimming gaps and cascades to dive in. One needs to ask for consent first from any of the locals who come across. The town is set in an old volcanic cavity encompassed by the timberland and mountains. There’s also a short rainforest climb next to a streaming spring which makes this place, a must-visit attraction during Fiji sightseeing.

Snake God Cave

The rough 4WD street to Navilawa embraces the Sabeto River, and there are some impeccable swimming gaps and cascades to dive in. One needs to ask for consent first from any of the locals who come across. The town is set in an old volcanic cavity encompassed by the timberland and mountains. There’s also a short rainforest climb next to a streaming spring which makes this place, a must-visit attraction during Fijisightseeing.

Tavoro Waterfalls

Confined by thick and incredibly green forests, these three cascades (otherwise called the Bouma Falls) exemplify the ‘Garden Island’ for which Taveuni is popular as one of the best places to visit in Fiji. The main cascade (24m) is a 30-minute climb to the second one while the third includes a climb along the soft-sloppy woods which requires an additional 20 minutes to cover up. Nonetheless, it is a must for all the travellers to get a glimpse of this majestic waterfall.

Where to Stay

Bamboo Backpackers

Staying at Bamboo Backpackers is a good choice when you are visiting Ba Province. This hostel is very easy to find since it is strategically positioned close to public facilities. Have an enjoyable and relaxing day at the pool, whether you’re travelling solo or with your loved ones. The 24-hour front desk is available to serve you, from check-in to check-out, or any assistance you need. Should you desire more, do not hesitate to ask the front desk, we are always ready to accommodate you. Savour your favourite dishes with special cuisines from Bamboo Backpackers exclusively for you. Bamboo Backpackers is a hostel with great comfort and excellent service according to most hostel's guests. Staying at Bamboo Backpackers will surely satisfy you with its great hospitality and affordable price.

Smugglers Cove Beach Resort and Hotel

Smugglers Cove Beach Resort and Hotel is located in area/city Ba Province. This resort is very easy to find since it is strategically positioned close to public facilities. Splendid service together with a wide range of facilities provided will make you complain about nothing during your stay at Smugglers Cove Beach Resort and Hotel. Have an enjoyable and relaxing day at the pool, whether you’re travelling solo or with your loved ones. Get the best deal for the finest quality of spa treatment to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. The 24-hour front desk is available to serve you, from check-in to check-out, or any assistance you need. Should you desire more, do not hesitate to ask the front desk, we are always ready to accommodate you. With all facilities offered, Smugglers Cove Beach Resort and Hotel is the right place to stay.

Peninsula International Hotel

Staying at the Peninsula International Hotel is a good choice when you are visiting Rewa Province.

This hotel is very easy to find since it is strategically positioned close to public facilities. Splendid service together with a wide range of facilities provided will make you complain about nothing during your stay at Peninsula International Hotel. Have an enjoyable and relaxing day at the pool, whether you’re travelling solo or with your loved ones. The 24-hour front desk is available to serve you, from check-in to check-out, or any assistance you need. Should you desire more, do not hesitate to ask the front desk, we are always ready to accommodate you. Savour your favourite dishes with special cuisines from Peninsula International Hotel exclusively for you. With all facilities offered, Peninsula International Hotel is the right place to stay.

Mercure Nadi

Mercure Nadi is located in area/city Ba Province. This hotel is very easy to find since it is strategically positioned close to public facilities. Have an enjoyable and relaxing day at the pool, whether you’re travelling solo or with your loved ones. Get the best deal for the finest quality of spa treatment to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. The 24-hour front desk is available to serve you, from check-in to check-out, or any assistance you need. Should you desire more, do not hesitate to ask the front desk, we are always ready to accommodate you. Savour your favourite dishes with special cuisines from Mercure Nadi exclusively for you. Mercure Nadi is a hotel with great comfort and excellent service according to most hotel's guests. With all facilities offered, Mercure Nadi is the right place to stay.