Shopping
Overview
Filigree jewelry, wood carvings (such as kava bowls), polished coconut shells, wickerwork such as mats, coasters, hats, palm fronds and trays, tapa dresses and beads are particularly popular. Most things are reasonably priced, with some stores offering bulk discounts. You can also find tax-free items such as cameras, televisions, watches, binoculars, alarm clocks, lighters, hi-fi systems, pewter, crystal and china. Shop opening times: Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00, Sat 08:00-13:00. Some shops are closed on Wednesday afternoons.
Nightlife
Introduction
Entertainment is available in numerous nightclubs, while the cinemas show Hindi and English language films. The programs can be found in the local newspapers. Most of Fiji’s social life takes place in the private clubs, to which visitors can obtain temporary membership through the hotels. Traditional singing and dancing, called moke, is performed alternately in the hotels. In addition, the tourist newspapers Fiji Beach Press and Fiji Calling provide detailed information about the entertainment on offer.
Culinary
Overview
Local cuisine is Indian or Fijian. Specialties include kakoda (marinated fish stewed in coconut and lemon), raurau (a dish made with taro leaves), cassaua (tapioca, often boiled, baked, or ground and simmered in coconut cream, sugar, and mashed bananas), and duruka (unusual asparagus-like vegetables that are available between April and May). Breadfruit is also eaten a lot. All major hotels offer Indian curries; some hotels and restaurants also have the Fijian feast, lovo, on their menu, which consists of a variety of meats, fish, vegetables and fruit and is cooked in earth ovens. Table service is common, but some restaurants offer buffets at lunchtime. Drinks: The local beers are Carlton brewed in Suva and Fiji Bitter from Lautoka. Meridan Moselle and Suvanna Moselle are native wine varieties. South Pacific Distilleries produce Bounty Fiji Golden Rum, Old Club Whisky, Booth’s Gin and Cossack Vodka. Yaqona (pronounced yanggona) or kava is drunk throughout the islands. In the past, the drink was made by virgins who chewed the roots into a pulp, which was then diluted with water. The drink is made from the roots of the pepper plant, and the yaqona drinking ceremony still plays an important part in Fiji life, but is also a popular drink in good company. Bars have table and/or counter service. restaurants only,
Accommodation
Hotels
There are numerous luxury hotels; most are found in Nadi, Sigatoka, Douba, Suva, Raki Raki, Tavua and Lautoka on Viti Levu and in Savusavu (Vanua Levu) and Ovalau. There are also small and inexpensive hotels on all islands. Beachcomber, Treasure, Castaway, Mana and Plantation Island are part of a group of small resort islands. A hotel tax of 5% applies to all services including meals in the hotel restaurants. Categories: The price groups are based on a star system: 3 stars (deluxe), 2 stars (middle class), 1 star (inexpensive). For more information, contact the Hotel Association: Fiji Islands Hotel and Tourism Association, PO Box 13560, 42 Gorrie Street, Suva. Tel: 30 29 80. (Web: http://www.fihta.
Other accommodation options
There is a youth hostel on Suva.
Culture
Religion
Christian (64.5%) (predominantly Methodist (34.6%), Catholic (9.1%)), Hindu (27.9%), Muslim (6.3%), Sikh minority.
Social Rules of Conduct
Manners: Fijians are hospitable and accommodating – visitors should not hesitate to accept invitations. When wishing to visit a Fijian village, it is advisable to adhere to the following basic rules issued by the Fiji Visitors Bureau: The visitor should not simply walk into the village as this will be perceived as an invasion of privacy. Before visiting, one should obtain a traditional gift, a bundle of yagona (kava), and wait near the village for someone to greet them. You will then be taken to the Turaga Ni Koro (tribal chief) to whom you will then give the gift. It should be remembered that speaking too loudly is considered an expression of anger or rage. If the visitor particularly likes something, he is free to express it, but should avoid over-emphasizing praise, as the Fijian host would feel obligated to gift the item to the visitor. It is typical of Fijian manners to invite the visitor to stay or to eat. If you have already been invited into the house, you should politely decline further invitations or perhaps postpone them to a later date. Guests staying the night in the village should give their host a useful gift of appropriate value as a token of appreciation – gifts of money are not appropriate. Dress code: Visitors should dress modestly (no shorts or hats, women should keep their shoulders covered). Shoes should always be taken off before entering a house. Tipping: Small amounts for special services are customary.
Climate
Best travel time
Mild tropical climate. Southeast trade winds bring dry weather from May to October. It gets hot and wet from December to April, with much less rainfall in the west of the archipelago. Cyclones can occur from November to April, especially in January and February.
Country data
Phone prefix
+679
Area (sq km)
18,275
Population
896,445 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
49.8
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
911
