Fiji 2000

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Executive Summary

The FlamStings went to Fiji in April, 2000 for a week of SCUBA, cultural exchange, snorkeling, and, well, being Fijian.

We fought our way from home via LAX to NAN on a monster 11 hour Air Pacific flight and then an island hopper from Nadi (pronounced Nandi) to the Savusavu airport on Vanua Levu, the second largest and more northern of the two major Fijian islands.

We then stayed at an entirely reasonable place on Vanua Levu called the Jean Michael Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort. The pictures from their Web do not fully convey the warmth and comfort of the place. The staff took care of the adults almost as well as the "Bula Camp" nannies took care of the multitude of kids that were there. Yes, kids. Bunches of them. They came and brought their parents. That was what made the place special: the sense of community. After what seemed like just an hour, everyone knew everyone else. Well, we were kind of anonymous, but everyone knew Matt. Not the FlamSting Matt mind you...

The days were all the same while being all different. Breakfast at 7:00AM, saunter out to the dive boat at 8:30ish. One or two dives and then an afternoon of socializing, planned and interesting side trips, or sleep-reading (read-sleeping?) in your Bure. Selecting dinner from the varied menu was always fun, the food good and the ambiance wonderful.

The week went by all too fast and we found ourselves returning roughly the same way. Inter-island flights are somewhat problematical and patience/expectation of delay is advised. As usual, the LAX customs snafu greeted us upon entry to the US; of course, a couple of planes with 400 people each disembarking simultaneously tends to create unavoidable chaos.

Of general interest:

• The Fijian dollar is subjectively half a US dollar; divide quoted Fijian prices by two to psychologically normalize your purchases.
• Fiji is 19 hours ahead of California time; same time zone as Auckland. To convert California time to Fijian, subtract 5 hours and add a day. After being there a bit, to convert back, all you did was add five hours to local Fijian time and take a swag at what season it was stateside.
• Sunscreen is your friend; you can always take off that goofy hat for pictures.
• If you plan on diving, bring Sudafed or something (yeah, we forgot). Upgrading your diving certification will never be more convenient; do it.
• Air temp was 90ºF, water temp was 84ºF, humidity was 1000%, winds from the southeast. Your mileage may vary.
• Fijians speak a friendly version of English, the food was good and no one reported getting sick from either the water or culinary experiments with the local eating establishments. [Be highly suspicious of the Nadi airport food!]
• Necessary Fijian language:
  • Bula - the courteous Fijian greeting. Akin to the Hawaiian Aloha.
  • Bure - Fijian house/dwelling. You get one to sleep in. See map.
  • Kava - a dusty looking and tasting, mildly anesthetic liquid ritually consumed. Try it. By the end of your stay, it may well become for you the ceremonial pleasure that it is for the Fijians.
  • Venaka (pronounced "binaca")  - 'thank you'.

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Last update: Saturday, July 30, 2005