Introduction
A zesty blend of cultures in a heavenly setting. Fiji has over 300 islands in its archipelago, each fringed with coral reefs and lapped by warm azure waters - the diving and snorkelling are superb. Amid its wealth of natural beauty, Fiji's true magic lies in its people and the fascinating blend of their diverse cultures.
Fiji is an interesting blend of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and European influences. For nearly 50 years, until the military coup of 1987 and the Indian emigration that followed it, the indigenous people of Fiji represented an ethnic minority in their own land.
Geography:
The Fiji islands are situated in the South Pacific, at the eastern limit of the region known as Melanesia (which also includes the Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea) and just west of Polynesia (Tonga, Samoa, the Cooks and French Polynesia). They are south of the equator, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn and west of the International Dateline. The territorial limits enclose an area of 1.3 million sq km (half a million sq mi), but only 1.5% of this is dry land. About 300 islands make up the nation. Viti Levu at 10,400 sq km (4052 sq mi), and Vanua Levu at 5587 sq km (2160 sq mi) are the biggest islands. Suva, the country's capital is on the south-western coast of Viti Levu, and the island also has the country's highest peak - Mt Tomanivi (Mt Victoria) at 1323m (4339ft). Taveuni and Kadavu are also substantial islands, but the rest of the country is made up of small islands divided into the Lomaiviti, Lau, Moala, Yasawa, Mamanuca and Rotuma Groups. Many of these islands are relatively untouched and there are many beautiful reefs, lagoons and harbours, as well as natural vegetation.
Destination Facts
Capital: Suva
President: Ratu Josefa Iloilo
Interim Prime Minister: Commodore Bainimarama
Government: democracy
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 18300
Population: 840000
People: Indigenous Fijian 50%, Indo-Fijian 45%
Languages: Fijian dialects are spoken by the indigenous Fijians (Bauan is the most common).A Fijian form of Hindi is spoken by the Indian population. 53% Christian, 38% Hindus, 8% Muslims, and 1% Sikhs
Currency: Fiji Dollar (F$)
Major industries: Sugar, tourism, gold, fish, lumber and clothing
Major Trading Partners: Australia, Japan and New Zealand
Daylight Saving: From not in use to not in use
Country Dialing Code: 679
Getting There
Its mild tropical climate means that Fiji can be enjoyed all year round and it is a popular escape from the winters in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Perhaps the best time to go, however, is in the dry season or 'Fiji winter', from May to October. This time of year has cooler temperatures, less rainfall and humidity, and less risk of tropical cyclones.
Getting there and away
Centrally located in the mid-South Pacific, Fiji (along with Hawaii) is one of the main airline hubs of the region, and it's well serviced by international carriers. From Fiji you can fly to many of the Pacific Islands and almost anywhere around the Pacific Rim. Many people come on a round-the-world ticket or as a stopover between Australia or New Zealand and North America. Although Suva is the capital, Nadi International Airport is where most travellers arrive and it is 9km (6mi) from the Nadi city centre. Nausori International Airport is Fiji's second international airport, 23km (14mi) north-east of Suva and accessible by taxi. A 11.50 departure tax is levied on all international departees over the age of 12 years. Getting to Fiji by sea nowadays is very difficult unless you're on a cruise boat or a private yacht. Fiji is a popular destination for yachties sailing around the South Pacific. Fiji's designated ports of entry are Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka; other marinas include Vuda Point Marina (between Nadi and Lautoka) and Musket Cove Marina on Plantation Island in the Mamanucas.
Getting around
There are good transport connections in Fiji, making internal travel easy and relatively inexpensive. Clearly, the easiest way to travel between islands is by plane, with Fiji Air and Sun Air between them servicing all of the island groups. (Island Hoppers, Turtle Airways and Pacific Island Seaplanes fly some routes too). Ferries are inexpensive, frequent, reliable and very seaworthy, and rubbing shoulders with the local people while travelling between islands is a pleasant and interesting part of the Fiji experience. Ferry routes connect most major coastal areas of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu with all the major islands. You can charter boats as well, or catch one of the smaller unscheduled local boats between islands. Small local boats are sometimes the only transport option, especially for the backpacker resorts. Life jackets are rarely provided and usually the boats have no radio-phones. If the weather looks ominous or the boat is overcrowded, consider postponing the trip or opting for a flight. The larger islands have good bus networks, and outside the towns you can often just hail down a bus wherever you see one. Express buses travel between major centres and local buses seem to stop at every village they pass, but by either means bus travel in Fiji is a pleasant way to meet local people and an effective way to get around.
Visa:
Most travellers will automatically be issued a four-month tourist visa upon arrival. This includes travellers from most Commonwealth countries, most north, central and south American countries, western Europe, India, Israel and Japan. The visa is issued free of charge and you won't have to pay for any subsequent extensions.Visitors must hold a return or onward ticket.
Weather
Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The prevailing winds are easterly and southeasterly; the mountainous spines of the larger islands produce clouds and greater rainfall on their windward sides. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Daytime temperatures average around 25 ° C (77 ° F), and humidity is generally high. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous.
Events
Fijians celebrate New Year's Day with gusto and the festivities can last a week (or even a month!) in some villages. In February or March Hindu Holi (Festival of Colours) sees people squirt each other with coloured water. Ram Naumi (Birth of Lord Rama) is a Hindu festival held in March or April and includes a religious festival and party on the shores of Suva Bay. The Prophet Mohammed's Birthday is celebrated in May, and on the first Monday in June, the nation honours Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna with a public holiday. He is considered Fiji's greatest statesman, soldier, high chief and scholar, and the day is celebrated with regional cultural shows and games. The Constitution Day holiday falls in July. The Sugar Festival is celebrated in September at Lautoka, and Fiji Day (Independence Day) falls in early October. During October or November Hindus celebrate the Diwali Festival (Festival of Lights). They worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, decorate their houses and settle up their business affairs.
Warning
The political situation in Fiji is uncertain and could deteriorate rapidly, especially in and around Suva. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings and the BBC for news updates.
A zesty blend of cultures in a heavenly setting. Fiji has over 300 islands in its archipelago, each fringed with coral reefs and lapped by warm azure waters - the diving and snorkelling are superb. Amid its wealth of natural beauty, Fiji's true magic lies in its people and the fascinating blend of their diverse cultures.
Fiji is an interesting blend of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and European influences. For nearly 50 years, until the military coup of 1987 and the Indian emigration that followed it, the indigenous people of Fiji represented an ethnic minority in their own land.
Geography:
The Fiji islands are situated in the South Pacific, at the eastern limit of the region known as Melanesia (which also includes the Solomons, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea) and just west of Polynesia (Tonga, Samoa, the Cooks and French Polynesia). They are south of the equator, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn and west of the International Dateline. The territorial limits enclose an area of 1.3 million sq km (half a million sq mi), but only 1.5% of this is dry land. About 300 islands make up the nation. Viti Levu at 10,400 sq km (4052 sq mi), and Vanua Levu at 5587 sq km (2160 sq mi) are the biggest islands. Suva, the country's capital is on the south-western coast of Viti Levu, and the island also has the country's highest peak - Mt Tomanivi (Mt Victoria) at 1323m (4339ft). Taveuni and Kadavu are also substantial islands, but the rest of the country is made up of small islands divided into the Lomaiviti, Lau, Moala, Yasawa, Mamanuca and Rotuma Groups. Many of these islands are relatively untouched and there are many beautiful reefs, lagoons and harbours, as well as natural vegetation.
Destination Facts
Capital: Suva
President: Ratu Josefa Iloilo
Interim Prime Minister: Commodore Bainimarama
Government: democracy
Time zone: GMT +12
Area: 18300
Population: 840000
People: Indigenous Fijian 50%, Indo-Fijian 45%
Languages: Fijian dialects are spoken by the indigenous Fijians (Bauan is the most common).A Fijian form of Hindi is spoken by the Indian population. 53% Christian, 38% Hindus, 8% Muslims, and 1% Sikhs
Currency: Fiji Dollar (F$)
Major industries: Sugar, tourism, gold, fish, lumber and clothing
Major Trading Partners: Australia, Japan and New Zealand
Daylight Saving: From not in use to not in use
Country Dialing Code: 679
Getting There
Its mild tropical climate means that Fiji can be enjoyed all year round and it is a popular escape from the winters in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Perhaps the best time to go, however, is in the dry season or 'Fiji winter', from May to October. This time of year has cooler temperatures, less rainfall and humidity, and less risk of tropical cyclones.
Getting there and away
Centrally located in the mid-South Pacific, Fiji (along with Hawaii) is one of the main airline hubs of the region, and it's well serviced by international carriers. From Fiji you can fly to many of the Pacific Islands and almost anywhere around the Pacific Rim. Many people come on a round-the-world ticket or as a stopover between Australia or New Zealand and North America. Although Suva is the capital, Nadi International Airport is where most travellers arrive and it is 9km (6mi) from the Nadi city centre. Nausori International Airport is Fiji's second international airport, 23km (14mi) north-east of Suva and accessible by taxi. A 11.50 departure tax is levied on all international departees over the age of 12 years. Getting to Fiji by sea nowadays is very difficult unless you're on a cruise boat or a private yacht. Fiji is a popular destination for yachties sailing around the South Pacific. Fiji's designated ports of entry are Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka; other marinas include Vuda Point Marina (between Nadi and Lautoka) and Musket Cove Marina on Plantation Island in the Mamanucas.
Getting around
There are good transport connections in Fiji, making internal travel easy and relatively inexpensive. Clearly, the easiest way to travel between islands is by plane, with Fiji Air and Sun Air between them servicing all of the island groups. (Island Hoppers, Turtle Airways and Pacific Island Seaplanes fly some routes too). Ferries are inexpensive, frequent, reliable and very seaworthy, and rubbing shoulders with the local people while travelling between islands is a pleasant and interesting part of the Fiji experience. Ferry routes connect most major coastal areas of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu with all the major islands. You can charter boats as well, or catch one of the smaller unscheduled local boats between islands. Small local boats are sometimes the only transport option, especially for the backpacker resorts. Life jackets are rarely provided and usually the boats have no radio-phones. If the weather looks ominous or the boat is overcrowded, consider postponing the trip or opting for a flight. The larger islands have good bus networks, and outside the towns you can often just hail down a bus wherever you see one. Express buses travel between major centres and local buses seem to stop at every village they pass, but by either means bus travel in Fiji is a pleasant way to meet local people and an effective way to get around.
Visa:
Most travellers will automatically be issued a four-month tourist visa upon arrival. This includes travellers from most Commonwealth countries, most north, central and south American countries, western Europe, India, Israel and Japan. The visa is issued free of charge and you won't have to pay for any subsequent extensions.Visitors must hold a return or onward ticket.
Weather
Fiji enjoys a mild and stable climate most of the year, due to the large expanses of open water that surround its islands. The prevailing winds are easterly and southeasterly; the mountainous spines of the larger islands produce clouds and greater rainfall on their windward sides. The wet season extends from November to April, but rain falls throughout the year. Daytime temperatures average around 25 ° C (77 ° F), and humidity is generally high. Tropical cyclones can blow up between November and April, although they are rarely dangerous.
Events
Fijians celebrate New Year's Day with gusto and the festivities can last a week (or even a month!) in some villages. In February or March Hindu Holi (Festival of Colours) sees people squirt each other with coloured water. Ram Naumi (Birth of Lord Rama) is a Hindu festival held in March or April and includes a religious festival and party on the shores of Suva Bay. The Prophet Mohammed's Birthday is celebrated in May, and on the first Monday in June, the nation honours Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna with a public holiday. He is considered Fiji's greatest statesman, soldier, high chief and scholar, and the day is celebrated with regional cultural shows and games. The Constitution Day holiday falls in July. The Sugar Festival is celebrated in September at Lautoka, and Fiji Day (Independence Day) falls in early October. During October or November Hindus celebrate the Diwali Festival (Festival of Lights). They worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, decorate their houses and settle up their business affairs.
Warning
The political situation in Fiji is uncertain and could deteriorate rapidly, especially in and around Suva. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings and the BBC for news updates.
0 comments:
Speak up your mind
Tell us what you're thinking... !