• Fiji is a country in the South Pacific Ocean.
• It lies about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
• If one counted every single island that belongs to the Fijian archipelago, this number would be in the thousands. However, only about 322 are seen as big enough to support human habitation. Of these 322 islands, only 106 are inhabited.
• Fiji is situated on the 180^o meridian, which is also known as the International Date Line.
• On the island of Tavueni, a market indicates a place, where one can stand with one foot in the curent day and with one in the day before.
• Fiji is the product of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters.
• English is an official language and is the language of instruction in education, and is spoken by most in Nadi, Suva and any other major tourist area.
• Fijian or Hindustani (Hindi/Urdu) is spoken by most adults and children
• Fiji’s two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, make up 87% of Fiji’s total landmass. About 75% of the population lives on Viti Levu, and about 18% live on Vanua Levu.
• Both Viti Levu and Vanua Levu contain mountainous terrain and tropical rainforests
• Fiji’s major natural resources include gold, copper, hydropower, offshore oil and timber.
• Fiji became independent in 1970, after nearly a century as a British colony.

FACTS

Malolo Island

• The country is an archipelago, comprising of over 300 islands.
• The two major islands of the country are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
• Fiji islands have white sandy beaches, which are an outcome of natural grinding down of dead coral.
• The rugby team of Fiji is one of the best in the world.
• The highest mountain of the country is Mt. Tomanivi, which is around 4300 feet high.
• Fiji is situated on the 180^o meridian, which is also known as the International Date Line. On the island of Tavueni, a market indicates a place, where one can stand with one foot in the curent day and with one in the day before.
• The flag of Fiji is still the British flag with a Union Jack on it.
• The most common greeting among indigenous Fijians is Bula! (“Health”).

• Low cost eateries, full meals average 4-8FD, Fijian dishes are slightly more expensive
• Taxi in Nadi or Suva 4-10FD
• Snorkel hire 5-10FD
• Local bus ride 0.65FD
• Coffee 2FD
• Cocktail 6FD

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Exotic Resort

• Most crime takes place in Suva and Nadi away from the resort areas. The best advice is to stick to hotel grounds after dark, and to use caution in Suva, Nadi and other urbanized areas after nightfall.
• Travelers have been victims of violent crime, particularly in Suva. Travelers have reported the regularity of petty robberies, muggings, and also home-invasions/rape, etc. You will notice the predominance of bars on most peoples’ homes.
• Also, be aware that homosexual sex may be a crime in Fiji.

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Island Market

• The climate in Fiji is tropical marine, with only slight seasonal temperature variation.
• Tropical cyclonic storms can occur from November to April.
• The maximum temperature in the summer being 88 degrees F (31.1 C) and the winter being 84 degrees F (28.8 C).
• Fiji usually experiences the warmest weather between the months of December and April and the coolest between May and November.
• The tradewinds, which come from the southeast, usually prevail from June to October (the winter months), which are also the most pleasant months to visit Fiji because it is less humid.
• In February and March, the winds often shift and come from the east, bringing rainfall with them.
• Because humidity normally increases as the climate becomes hotter, the warmest period in Fiji is also the wettest. Fiji’s rainy season is between the warmer months of November to March.
• The ocean is usually at a pleasant temperature ranging in the low 80s (around 26.6 C), so water activities, such as swimming and snorkeling can be enjoyed year-round.
• The reef waters surrounding the islands are usually clearer during the drier season, when scuba divers enjoy increased visibility.

Mamanuca Islands Day Cruise

• The Mamanuca Islands is a collection of over 30 small islands just off the coast of Nadi
• About 10 of these islands have luxury resorts.
• It is possible to visit many of these islands on a day cruise, whether it’s to an uninhabited coral island, a luxury resort for the day or simply a cruise amongst them with a picnic stop on the beach.

Visit Navala Village

• Located about 50 minutes drive into the highlands and is one of the few remaining villages where all houses are built from traditional materials.
• The houses locally referred to as bures, have bamboo woven walls and thatch roofs and are single room buildings.
• Kitchens and toilets are separate buildings out the back.
• A visit to Navala includes a welcoming yaqona ceremony where guests are introduced and bonded by drinking the traditional Fijian drink mixed from roots of the Yaqona tree.

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Learn to Scuba Dive

• Renowned as the soft coral capital of the world, a fiji dive or snorkel trip to the outer reef is an essential element of your holiday.

Yasawa Beach Hopping

• The Yasawa islands are a collection of small coral and volcanic islands, most of which are either uninhabited or have small fijian fishing villages.
• Small island resorts have set up on the uninhabited islands, some with backpacker hostels.
• On the Yasawa Islands, local Fijian land owners have established a network of beach bungalows aimed at the budget traveller.

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Bouma National Park

• The gorgeous tropical rain forest of Bouma National Park Fiji is one of the unexpected highlights of a trip to Fiji.
• Set in the northern group of islands on the Garden Island of Taveuni.
• Bouma encompasses 15,000 hectares of forest with 1000ft volcanic peaks, razor edge mountain ridges and cliffs that fall into the sea.

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Explore Navua River

• The Navua River is located in the island of Viti Levu in Fiji
• Located on the south east slope of Mount Gordon and flows for 65 kilometers to the south coast.
• It is noted for the scenic beauty of the rugged mountain country through which it flows.
• In the late 19th century a sugar mill was built on the banks of this river, and although the mill was shut down in 1923, the town of Navua stands on its site.

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Communication Etiquette:
• Indigenous men will take a foreign men’s hand with one shake down motion as a greeting
– They have been known to hold the hand during conversation
– Women – Fijian women greeting another native women may kiss the air of the other women’s cheek
– They may know you are from the “West” or as a “Westerner”
– May hug you briefly and also kiss air around your cheek
• Hats at villages are a sign of disrespect
– Dress modestly – no halter tops for women or anything showing the shoulders
• Speak softly and show respect
• Remove shoes when entering a natives house or building

Business Etiquette:
• Business dress tends to be informal
• A lot of cultural differences between the Indo-Fijians which are the citizens and the indigenous people of Fiji
• Things to be aware of
– Pointing a someone while talking to them is considered fairly rude
– Standing with your hands on your hips is viewed as an expression of anger
• A lot of business people will use their first name – informal
• They re very respectful and polite