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Featured Book Moon Fiji |
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Babysitting
Banks/Banking Hours
Beachcomber Island
Beaches
Beer
Beqa
Bilo
Blue Lagoon Cruises
Botanical Gardens
Bula
Bures
Business Hours
BABYSITTINGResorts can arrange babysitting (as can word of mouth). The Fijian women have something that attracts children and children attract the women. You’ll see bonding in minutes and will know your kiddies are safe. And you’ll pay a fraction of what you do at home.>Top
BANKS/BANKING HOURSThe Reserve Bank of Fiji issues currency and The National Bank was formerly a government owned commercial bank. The National Bank was owned by the government until politicians and the Fijian chiefs siphoned off hundreds of millions of dollars through bad loans and other devices during the 1990s, leaving Fiji's taxpayers holding the bag. Sound familiar? The Colonial Insurance company eventually picked up the pieces and now operates the Colonial National Bank as a commercial operation.Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and extended to 4:00pm on Friday. Banks close on public holidays. ANZ operates a 24-hour service at Nadi International Airport's arrival concourse. ANZ offers counter banking and ATM services in Suva, Nausori, Nadi, Lautoka, Labasa and Savusavu, while Colonial National Bank and Westpac have EFTPOS services in Suva, Nausori, Sigatoka, Nadi, and Lautoka. >Top
BEACHCOMBER ISLANDDon Costello, a burly Fijian of European descent who also owns Fiji Meats, established Beachcomber Island in the 1960s. Since then Beachcomber has gained an international reputation as the quintessentual backpackers all-inclusive, a party island where young travelers sleep in large coed dormitories and gorge at self-service buffets. Watersports are pushed to the limit during the day and the drinking and dancing know no bounds at night. Bungalows are also available on Beachcomber Island for those who crave a little privacy, and there are special discounts for families with small children. No wonder Costello has a smile on his face as he continues to direct his business empire for the Islands in the Sun office in Lautoka.>Top
BEACHESTo be honest, if it’s a fine sand beach you want, Australians and New Zealanders will find better at home. There are some lovely beaches though, but expect a bit of coral - and, without the coral, you wouldn’t have the wonders waiting for you once you venture into the warm waters with the snorkel or dive gear. That said, there's something magical about swimming in the Blue Lagoon or off Natadola Beach, and you won't need to contend with the wall to wall highrise hotels you'll find at Surfers Paradise. In Fiji, the only hotels taller than a coconut tree are in the capital Suva.>Top
BEERThe local beer, Fiji Bitter, locally known as a ‘Fiji Baby’ isn’t too bad. It’s a lightish beer, which somehow suits the tropics. Try one - if you don’t like it, pay a bit more for an imported ale.>Top
BEQAThis hilly island off the south coast of Viti Levu is the original home of most of the traditional Fijian firewalkers (some also hail from nearby Yanuca Island). The pagan rituals which once impelled the firewalkers are no longer practiced on Beqa, and the only place you'll see firewalking displays these days is at the resort hotels of Nadi and the Coral Coast. Beqa also has a couple of upscale dive resorts, but it should be noted that the prime reefs featured in the dive magazines are far to the west of Beqa and almost as close to Pacific Harbour where much less expensive digs are found.>Top
BILOBilo is the Fijian word for ‘cup’, specifically the bowl or shell you will use to drink kava from. It's usually formed from a dry coconut shell split in two, and you're supposed to hold it with two hands. Back in the cannibal days, warrior chiefs used the upper portion of the skull of one of their foes as a bilo.>Top
BLUE LAGOON CRUISESThese cruises take you to the bays and coral cays of the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands. There are three classes of cruise ships to choose from, with the 185 foot mini cruise liner, the Mystique Princess, offering the ultimate in luxury with just 35 state rooms. Cruising is limited to around 4 hours per day, so a lot of time is spent on shore visiting native villages, snorkelling reefs and walking the white sands of beautiful beaches. Romantic weddings can be arranged (usually the last day, aboard ship or on Blue Lagoon’s own tropical island, Nanuya Lai Lai). Blue Lagoon Cruises was founded by Captain Trevor Withers in 1950. Veteran passengers may recall traveling on the Salamanda, which was scuttled after being taken out of service and now serves as a Mamanuca dive site. The current fleet is sleak and luxurious, designed for romantic couples trying to live the dream. Blue Lagoon has a strong competitor in the form of Australian-owned Captain Cook Cruises, which uses larger ships and caters to more of a party-loving clientele.>Top
BOTANICAL GARDENSThe Thurston Botanical Gardens in Suva are an appropriate legacy of the days when Britain ruled the Pacific's waves. The vegetation is lush, but few of the plants are labeled. Admission is free, so who cares? You can always spend the Fiji dollars you save on a long neck bottle of Fiji Bitter at the colonial-style Suva Lawn Bowling Club across the street. Lautoka has a much younger botanical garden near the hospital and is worth a stop if you're in the area.>Top
BULAThis is the famous Fijian greeting. The more formal greeting is ‘ni sa bula’ - sort of the difference between ‘good afternoon’ and ‘hello’. You will hear it everywhere and find yourself returning the greeting without a second thought. Once the family and I made up a game - to get from the bure to the breakfast table without hearing “bula” - we decided the only way to do that would be to tunnel there and, even then, chances would be you’d meet some flashing white teeth in the dark. (See Language)>Top
BURESBures are traditional thatched cottages (and similar resort style accommodation) - in other parts of the Pacific they are called fales or fares. The closest we have is ‘bungalow’. Shoes must be left outside the bure and it's respectful to stoop slightly as you walk over the mats laid out inside. Furniture is scarce to non-existent inside a real Fijian bure, and you'll proclaiming your status as tourist if you ask someone to bring you a chair.>Top
BUSINESS HOURSBusiness hours in Fiji hold few surprises, so long as you're prepared for the slow pace. The coconut will fall when it is ripe.>Top
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