Bula Vinaka – is the phrase that greets you when you first land in Fiji!
It literally translates to ‘a warm hello’ and boy do Fijians live up to their promise! Huge smiles and guitarists welcome you at the airport – that is only expected from a tropical paradise where sarongs are the national dress! If you get a chance, buy one! The locals love seeing you in them! “We work on Fiji time – slow and eeeasy”, is what you will often hear. I’m exhausted from the flight but feel buoyed by the music and smiles.
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The Fiji Feeling
Little did I know that this exact uplifting energy and the constant feeling of warm blue water surrounding me would continue into living on Fiji time! It’s meaning and desired effects are simple – slow down and enjoy the moment. I love it! I think we can all benefit from a little more of that in our daily lives. Considering the fast-paced American lifestyle, the concept can seem foreign at first. Harbored not in indulgence but in a way that reflects contentment, joy and peace. You know your holiday was a success when you’ve reached the nirvana known as Fiji time. The pace of life is slower in this Republic of 333 islands and Happiness seems to be the motto. Fiji truly soothes the soul!
TIP: Buy Lonely Planet’s travel guide to Fiji and you’ll always have all the information you need right at hand! Maps, sights, public transport, restaurants, hotels etc. It’s a comprehensive guide and a great travel companion.
The Fijian culture
Almost everyone you encounter will speak English fluently as this is taught throughout primary education and adopted as a common language for Fijians. For certain everyone in your hotel/resort will speak English, but will appreciate your efforts to speak a little Fijian. Always try to use ‘Bula’ when greeting someone and probably one of the most important words to learn and use frequently while you’re there is ‘Vinaka’ – ‘Thank-you’ along with the universally understood and welcomed smile.
The culture in Fiji is strong, and visitors to the beautiful Fijian Islands will find that the people of Fiji are welcoming and kind. Fijians value community and family, and though things move slowly there, everything is done with great respect and kindness. The society is based on communal living, meaning everyone contributes to and benefits from the needs and returns of the community as a whole. The result is a community that truly takes care of each other, where everyone works together and divides everything evenly, so everyone gets what they need. The people of Fiji will look you in the eye while speaking with you, and will welcome you with humbling graciousness.
Happiness in Fiji
I think my favorite thing about Fiji was to see how genuinely happy everyone is! Fijians are the happiest people on earth. In a global poll, Fiji was by far the happiest country in the world with 93 percent of respondents saying that they were either happy or very happy. Humans are social animals. There is a huge link between community and happiness – the more interaction and trust we have with our communities, the better we feel as individuals. I think the biggest lesson to learn from Fiji’s happiness is that, the good life stems from meaningful interactions with other people. Fiji’s community ties are remarkably strong. Life centers around an extended family unit and a chieftain. Majority of the country’s land is owned by the community and administered by a land trust. That’s pretty amazing if you ask me!
I believe the happiest people are those that appreciate every single thing that happens in their life. Happiness is not a specialty thing or person. I believe happiness is love, satisfaction and appreciate for everything we have in life.
The strong social connections, being surround by natural beauty, abundance of fresh food and clean water, and the love they have for singing and dancing.. that’s happiness at its finest. Hang around for a while and all that happiness will indeed rub off on you!
Happiness rises the farther you travel from home. There’s only so much I can tell you. To really know the happiness of the island, you have to go, stay and soak in the light of the Fijian sun and people!
Fiji, where happiness finds you!
What do to in Fiji
Activities are in abundance in Fiji. You can expect to swim, dive, snorkel, climb, hike, zip-line, cruise, fish, jet-ski, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, surf, relax, relax a whole lot…. and so much more! Fiji isn’t limited to just outdoor adventures. There are plenty of cultural attractions to take in as well. Be sure to make time to visit the villages! It’s such a rewarding experience to visit local Fijian villages, learn about their way of life, be welcomed into their homes, and to just emerge yourself into their traditions and lifestyle. The children are full of giggles and infectious smiles. It really puts things in perspective when you see how others live and how much happier they are than those that supposedly ‘have it all’. It’s a very humble experience.
The food in Fiji
… is amazing, and being an islands nation, there are many fantastic fish dishes. I would recommend Kokoda which is raw fish salad in coconut milk. If fish isn’t to your taste, you’ll still find plenty of choice, including excellent curries and Chinese. No trip to Fiji will be complete without attending a Kava welcoming ceremony. You’ll be encouraged to drink plenty (!) of Kava on your trip – a local drink made from the root of a kava plant. Kava is supposed to have sedative properties but it’s a bit like drinking muddy water! You get a numb tongue if you drink too much, so make sure you follow the guidelines carefully on how to ‘receive’ the drink – or you may have to do it again! Kava drinking is embedded into Fijian life, and the social aspect of sharing the drink with friends is an important part of Fijian culture.
The climate in Fiji
As you’re probably already aware, the climate in Fiji is tropical. This can (and most likely will) mean it can rain at any time, however as it’s so hot and you’re likely to already be in the ocean or pool anyway, it really isn’t likely to hinder your experience! Some days are clear skies, other days are grey… but this can all change in an instant. It’s all part of the island experience!
Mosquitoes – they are there, lots of them! Go prepared with plenty of decent tropical strength repellent and anti-itch cream along with some antihistamines in case of any really nasty bites. If your blood is anything like mine, the mosquitoes will definitely find you. Nobody enjoys them but it’s all part of being surround by the beautiful green lush jungle!
Transportation Around Fiji
The cheapest way to get from the airport around the main island is by the local bus/van. You will find taxis everywhere, but they are much more expensive. The local buses are great! Fijians don’t do cheesy music, they do Rastafarian! You might be ‘treated’ to a taste of this on transfers where the drivers assume that everyone is a Bob Marley fan and will enjoy their music at a volume of their choice. It’s pretty awesome. I enjoyed it!
TIP: Buy Lonely Planet’s travel guide to Fiji and you’ll always have all the information you need right at hand! Maps, sights, public transport, restaurants, hotels etc. It’s a comprehensive guide and a great travel companion.
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The post My Thoughts on Fiji – A Vibrant Island Nation appeared first on Angelina around the world.
