Fiji: The main island

After 3 days of relaxation by the pool, it was time to get exploring! We opted for a local touring company offering a half-day tour of Nadi on the main island. As it turned out the only other people on the tour that afternoon was a young couple from New Zealand, so it made for an almost private tour!

The day began with a pick-up from the island of Denarau, where we were staying. Now, this island use to be a mangrove swamp and was filled by a Japanese company to be a resort island, hence the reason why we wanted to get off of it to see the real deal. Heading inland we entered Nadi, whizzing past local communities and different farms such as sugarcane and tobacco. 

Our first stop was to what is believed to be the first landing place of the Fijian's ancestors. Fijian's believe that their ancestors came on boats from Africa. The village, "Viseisei," is very proud of it's heritage. In order to enter the village we had to comply to the local customs and my little short-shorts didn't fit the bill. Our guide was prepared though, and gave us sarongs boasting his company's logo. We also had to remove our hats. Here we saw the dominant presence of Viseisei's strong Christian roots, with a large church right in the centre of the village. Currently the president of Fiji happens to be the chief of Viseisei, though he is rarely in the village now that he's a big-wig. The women from the village had little tables set out and were selling their wares: handmade freshwater pearl jewelry, for cheap! And of course I was happy to support them.

Our second stop was at, "The Garden of the Sleeping Giant", named for the appearance of the mountain range the garden resides under. Apparently the actor who played "Perry Mason" is the creator of the garden, which I thought was very funny! The garden is well known for it's orchids. We went on a little hike as our guide described the unique plant varieties (I smelled a leaf from a cinnamon tree! Yum!) and informing us that originally Fiji had no predators. In fact, almost any wildlife that is seen today was introduced by early settlers. Some believe it was once an "Eden". Whatever it was, it was stunning.

Christianity is the main religion of Fijian's, but there is also a strong Hindu presence. The second stop turned out to be more of a drive-by to avoid an entry fee (ha!). It was a colourful Hindu temple - the largest in the South Pacific. And because we were there long enough to snap 2 photos, that's all I have to say about that.

Finally we headed to a local fruit and veggie market. It was beautiful (and not in a reno'd Safeway kind of way). The colours of the produce were vibrant, as were the sari's of some of the Hindi women at the stalls. The most interesting part was the "kava bar." "Kava," as it is called locally, is a root that Fijian's grind, add water, and drink. It's effects are that of relaxation and calm, hence the prevalent easy-going attitude of the Fijian people. I laughed very hard when our guide told us that the island is full of "kavaholics"! The "bar" was simply rows of stalls under a tent, with a dirt floor and a few stools... and about 50 men, eyes half shut, just sitting and, well, relaxing. Later in the trip Kurtis and I had the opportunity to participate in a traditional kava ceremony and try the drink. In my opinion it is the equivalent of mixing dirt and water together and drinking it. Noooot something I could see myself getting into, thanks!

Seeing the farms and communities and the simplicity in which the people still live was eye-opening, particularly in light of how truly happy they all seem to be (even despite recent political tensions). I guess it is true that the more you have, the more you desire. The Fijian people are content in their lives, with what they have, and are proud of that. It was a very beautiful, insightful and inspirational day.