Bula! Arrival in Fiji

Parrot on the Lamb

Our flight to Nadi, Fiji does not leave until 1:35pm so we have a leisurely morning at our Airbnb on Adelaide.

As John is bringing our luggage to the car, he hears a cacaphony of angry, screaming parrot voices and suddenly a green parrot lands near him and scrambles under the wheels of our suitcase which is sitting on the road about to be put in the car trunk. Looks like the poor little fellow is trying to escape the other birds. Eventually we have to move the suitcase into the trunk and the little guy flies off.

Flight to Fiji

At the airport, my small jar of peanut butter in my carry-on is confiscated at security. Apparently it counts as a liquid.

The 5.5 hour flight to Fiji passes quickly. John and I are not seated together. I spend the time watching movies, playing computer games, reading and sleeping.

On arrival at the airport in Fiji we are greeted with live local music and lots of friendly “Bulas’. Bula is the Fijian world for hello but also has other meanings like good health and good life. We take a taxi to our hostel in Nadi which is very clean but rather sparse, however it is close to the airport and we have a private room, bathroom and decent WIFI. 

Morning in Nadi

We are finding people here very, very friendly.

Nadi is the tourist hub of Fiji. We are staying on a nice beach but the area is pretty commercialized but not polished. Since we got in late at night, we are only staying one full day in Nadi before heading out to some of the outer the islands. More than 300 islands comprise Fiji.

Despite sleeping in, John is not feeling his best this morning. He still has a slight fever. After breakfast, we check out Wailoaloa Beach across from our accommodation. It is hot (31°C) and sunny.

There is a very, very tall coconut tree in front of reception with a danger, falling coconuts sign. Looking way up, I can see why being hit with one of them could cause major damage…even death. Click here for a short video.

We see minimal signs of Halloween as it is not celebrated here. In Australia we saw a few Halloween decorations but it’s not a big event like in Canada.

We next hire a cab to take us to a few places.

Sri Siva Subbramaniva Swami Temple

The first stop is Sri Siva Subbramaniya Swami Temple which is the largest Hindu temple in the southern hemisphere. During colonial times the British brought many Indians to Fiji as indentured labourers.

The temple is brightly coloured and beautiful. While there, we see a new work truck being blessed in a ceremony.

Sleeping Giant Mountain Garden

We next drive to the Sleeping Giant Mountain Garden (the mountain is shaped like a sleeping giant). There is a lovely, shaded garden with lots of orchids, rainforests, a pond and walking trails which John and I both enjoy. At the end of the trail, we are given freshly made passion fruit juice before heading back to our accomodations.

Evening in Nadi

We reorganize and repack all our belongings. John and I are leaving our big suitcase in the hotel we are staying at when we return to Nadi from the islands. We are just bringing our one carry-on and backpacks to the islands since we are taking a ferry early tomorrow morning and don’t want to lug everything with us.

John also has a nap before supper.

We have a nice supper at a nearby restaurant on the water. We watch the sun set. There are a bunch of very drunk guys  at the next table….and getting drunker. They are sitting under a coconut palm. Time to make it an early night.