Turtle Island Fiji

The Fiji archipelago is comprised of 333 islands, located at the crossroads of the South Pacific. The main island is Viti Levu, the next largest is Vanua Levu, and together they make up 85 percent of the country's total land area. Approximately 100 of the islands are inhabited. All the islands have picturesque coastlines, tall coconut palms nodding over still waters of brilliant turquoise, lagoons fringed by coral reefs, and soft white sandy beaches.

In days gone by, Fiji had a reputation among mariners for treacherous waters and extremely fierce warriors. Today, Fiji is an exotic, friendly place where the people wear flowers in their hair and smiles on their faces.

Capital & Major Centres
The capital is Suva on the southeast corner of Viti Levu, although most visitors have their first taste of Fiji via the international airport at Nadi, one of the other major towns on the main island. More than 85 flights land at Nadi every week. From there it is only a quick seven minute hop to one of the offshore island resorts, or less than an hour of flying time to Vanua Levu or Taveuni, the second and third largest islands. Nearby are the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands which offer picture postcard beautiful lagoons and beaches. The old capital of Levuka on Ovalau Island has been preserved as a historical monument.

The People
Fiji is the 'hub' of the South Pacific, a melting pot of both the Polynesian and Melanesian races. The nation comprises many different races and people, predominantly native Fijians. From 1879 to 1916, Indians came as indentured labourers to work on the sugar plantations. After the indentured system was abolished, many Indians stayed on as independent farmers and businessmen. Today their descendants comprise 44 percent of the population of approximately 800,000. Indigenous Fijians comprise half the population with South Pacific Islanders, Europeans and Chinese comprising the remainder.

Fijian people are renowned for their friendly natures however it is worth noting that if invited into a village, wearing a hat is considered an insult to the chief and modest clothing is appreciated.

The principal language is English, however Fijian is spoken by Fijians, Hindustani by most Indians, and Chinese and other Pacific island languages are spoken. Most of the population is bilingual.

History
Fiji was probably first settled 3500 years ago. It is not known who the first settlers were. According to Fijian legend, a great chief called Lutunasobasoba led his people across the seas to the new land. In this way the Melanesians and the Polynesians
intermingled and produced a highly developed society long before the arrival of Europeans in Fiji.

The Europeans discovered Fiji by accident rather than design. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to arrive, beginning with Abel Tasman in 1643. Further exploration was made by the English, in the form of Captain James Cook in 1774, and by Captain William Bligh who sailed through the group after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. Captain Bligh was afforded major credit for the discovery and recording of the islands.

Shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from Australian penal settlements were the first Europeans to land and live among the Fijians. In 1835 the missionaries arrived, introducing Christianity and ending cannibalism. Sandalwood traders also began operating in the mid 19th century. In 1874 Fiji was ceded to Great Britain and Indian indentured labourers were introduced. Fiji finally gained independence in 1970 and declared itself a Republic on 7th October 1987. A draft constitution was introduced for a single chamber parliament with 71 seats.

Nature
Fiji's larger islands are generally of volcanic origin and the smaller islands are coral, limestone, or sand cays. Coral reefs and lagoons abound. Vegetation is mainly tropical coconut palms and pandanus interspersed with hibiscus, frangipani and other exotic flowers. Unique fauna includes the fruit bat, mongoose and Fijian crested iguana. Fiji is free of all the serious plant and animal pests and diseases that plague other countries and endeavours to remain that way. Preserving the beautiful environment is an exercise that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests takes very seriously, strictly regulating the importation of any matter that may affect the country's plant and animal life.

The Sights
On the road from Suva to Nadi are the Kula Bird Park and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes. In Suva, the national museum in the historical Thurston gardens stands right next to Government House with its colourful guards dressed in red tunics and white sulus. Founded much earlier than other Pacific island museums, the national museum is unrivalled in the islands for the extent of its collection of anthropological and historical material.

For those who like to explore, there is a central highland bush trek through the province following the track which the missionaries took in 1849. A striking feature in Nadi is the Hindu temple at the southern end of town. This is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere and the traditional Dravidian architecture is rarely seen outside of India. Natadola beach is one of the most outstanding beaches in Fiji and only a half hour drive south of Nadi. Savusavu is home to the unusual attractions of the Nakama thermal springs and Namale blowholes. A unique experience is the tour of a working copra plantation and scenic drives are easily arranged. For an authentic cultural experience, Orchid Island is a natural river formation that has been cultivated into a realistic microcosm of Fiji. Offering a human scale historical adventure, one of the unique features is the 16 metre high pagan temple 'Bure Kalou', representative of the ancient places where the Fijians dedicated human sacrifices to their ancestral spirits. On display is a fascinating showcase of flora, fauna, crafts and customs.

Where to Stay
Accommodation is prolific – there's something for every budget from luxury hotels, resorts and villas, to Fijian bures with modern facilities, cottages, lodges, townhouses and apartments. Bures, based on traditional village thatched roof houses, are very popular with tourists as they provide an authentic Fijian atmosphere. The Fijian design incorporated into most hotels helps to maintain the exotic ambience of this paradise in the South Pacific. Campsites are available on Seashell Cove Resort, Rukuruku, Colo I Suva and Nukulau.

Getting Around
In Fiji cars drive on the left side of the road, and overseas or international driving permits are valid for six months. There's a variety of rental car agencies, an extensive local bus service on each of the main islands, and deluxe coach tours. Taxis are inexpensive and metered. Ferries, helicopters and seaplanes provide transportation between an extensive network of docks and airfields throughout the islands and resorts.

Food & Entertainment
Most nightclubs, restaurants and cinemas are located in the city centres, with most of the larger hotels and resorts providing their own entertainment in the form of Fijian nights which include a 'lovo' (food cooked in an underground oven), sometimes the 'yaqona' ceremony (kava drinking) and always a 'meke' (song and dance).

There's a good selection of restaurants in the major centres featuring Chinese, Japanese, Indian, French, and European foods. A number of places offer Fijian cuisine which is most often seafood, frequently cooked in coconut milk, steamed or boiled, rather than fried.

Activities
Fiji is renowned for the variety of activities available. Water-based activities abound including snorkelling on shallow reefs, scuba diving, game fishing, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, cruising and yacht charters. On land, choose from golf, horse-riding, squash, rugby and trekking through tropical rainforests. There are crystal clear rivers to swim in, jetboats to ride in, sacred caves to visit and rapids to raft through. Numerous island tours are on offer with sailing excursions and safaris into the rugged peaks and remote villages of the highlands.

Shopping Guide
Whether you are shopping or browsing, you'll discover everything from unique cultural and historical artefacts, to budget and souvenir shops, stylish international boutiques, and duty free shopping. Popular purchases include carved tanoa bowls from which 'the national drink' kava is mixed and served, 'cannibal forks' and Fijian combs.Handicrafts range from woven baskets and mats to masa (tapa cloth), animal woodcarvings and pottery items. For international fashion buffs, there is the ubiquitous sulu, an all purpose, unisex, one-size-fits-all garment. This amazing outfit is worn 100 different ways by women from beach wrap to evening dress, whilst men in both business and government wear them as a day skirt. In the towns and cities are the shops visited by locals offering glittering displays of gold jewellery and the cottons and silks popular with the Indian population. For those who really love the age-old practice of bargaining, it is still conducted in some shops and bazaars and has reached the highest art form in Cumming Street, Suva. However the larger stores have fixed prices. Shopping hours are Monday to Thursday 8am to 5pm, and on Fridays most shops close at 6pm. Some hotel and resort stores have extended hours. On Saturdays a number of shops stay open for half a day and most do not open on Sundays or Public Holidays.

Holidays & Festivals
Numerous religious festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Following are some of the major events.
2009 DATES
MAR 9 Prophet Mohammed's Birthday
APR 10 Good Friday
MAY 29 Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day
JUNE 15 Queen's Birthday
OCT 12 Fiji Day
OCT 19 Diwali
DEC 25 Christmas Day