NADI & CORAL COAST

in Oceania, Fiji

A small trip to Fijis, 4 hours by plane from Sydney. These are one of the most accessible Pacific islands and it is possible to reach them with the low cost company Jetstar or Fiji Airways. And that is why they are very popular among Australian families, every budget can enjoy this paradisiac islands, whether you are looking for luxury villas or backpackers with dormitories. And the kindness of the local population is absolutely amazing, it is not a legend! Everyone will do their best to help you even in the most remote islands.

 

Arrival at Fijis

Nadi airport is located on the mainland, Viti Levu, west part of the island. At first sight, visitors are a bit surprised by Fijis: A grey city, under a very cloudy weather attracted by a mountainous and hilly area and a population which seem to be from India. The first stop at Nadi is mandatory before going anywhere else in Fijis, either heading to the capital Suva or to the remote and paradisiac small islands. A bit of history now: Fijis archipelago were a previous british colony, acquired the independence on 10th October 1970 when its colonial status was abrogated. Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, first Prime Minister of independent Fiji, received from Prince Charles the documents evidencing Fiji’s independence. And the importance of indo-fijian population on the whole Fijian population is coming from the fact that a lot of Indian were brought by Britons to work in cotton fields. They never went back. From time to time, some tensions may appear between descendants of Indian and the local Melanesian population, as Indo-Fijians control most of the commerce and business in Fijis, whereas Melanesian are more attached to a more traditional tribal way of life, often in remote islands.

First feelings

Nadi downtown. We booked a backpacker in the suburbs of Nadi, very near the beach to we can relax and prepare the next days of our holidays in the Pacific archipelago. 5 hours from Sydney is enough and it is good way to be laid back and be used to a more tropical and wet climate. In Nadi, you can see the hindu temple, almost the only monument which is first seeing. On the main island of Viti Levu you can continue your road using a local bus along the coral road, enjoying the rural life in mainland Fijis or go to towns and discover the other big cities of Lautoka, big economic port with an important Indo-Fijian population or the capital Suva, located on the Eastern part of the island.

We advise you to buy food and drinks in Nadi before taking your boat to remote islands where you have nothing of course: No ATMs (think about that if you need to pay resorts over ther), no supermarket (you will eat local food provided by the resorts), no pharmacies…

Among the things to see in the region, we recommend you:

Then try to leave Nadi asap, either to discover coral coast on Viti Levu (typical Pacific atmosphere aboard the Fijian buses!) or to go to paradisiac smaller archipelago. We went to Mamanuccas and Yasawas with the hop on-hop off Yasawas Flyer ferry, but you can also go to Ovalau, Caqelai…

Where did we sleep?

  • Bamboo Backpackers: A good small backpacker, very good qualtiy-price yield with honest quite big rooms and very friendly atmosphere, where you can enjoy a beach-volley or rugby game with the staff 🙂 We stayed there for two nights. 10 mns driving from the city center of Nadi, 1 mn away from the beach where there other bars and restaurants. The backpacker is well located and good way to relax and prepare your next days in Fiji!

 

 

 

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