| Check out our free interactive Fiji Islands holiday guide and discover Fiji Islands's biggest attractions, best restaurants and much more. If you've visited Fiji Islands before tell us your holiday tips and help other travellers enjoy great holidays in Fiji Islands, Fiji. |
| Free Fiji Islands Holiday Guide |
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| FIJI ISLANDS LOCAL HISTORY |
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Fiji is a blend of Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and European. Until the military coup in 1987, the indigenous people represented an ethnic minority in their own land.
During British colonial rule thousands of Indian labourers were imported onto the islands to work in the sugar plantations. Traditional Fijian’s however held on to their traditional rites and practices and today, the mix of so many ethnic people, make this a fascinating place to visit.
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Northern Fiji - The pristine islands are what the old South Seas are all about. The people here still live in small villages in the hills and beside the crystal-clear lagoons.
Vanua Levu - The country’s second largest island is home to rugged mountains which drop to coconut plantations and where the smiling people go about their business at the ageless pace of tropical islands everywhere.
Somosomo Strait - For some of the best coral viewing in the world, this strait offers a collection of colourful soft corals and interesting sea life.
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Known as ‘kava’ elsewhere in the South Pacific, this slightly narcotic drink rivals the potent Fiji Bitter beer, as the national drink. This bowl of grog will be offered to you wherever you go on the islands.
Fresh fruit, vegetables, coconut and fish are all part and parcel of the cuisine.
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Bedarra Inn Restaurant – Suva. Overlooking a lush tropical garden this restaurant offers a varied menu including steaks with peppercorn or red wine sauce, local fresh fried fish with lemon caper sauce, veal and asparagus. Included in the menu are a number of local dishes.
Bula-Re Cafe – Suva. This German run eatery has a huge international menu and is said to serve the best food in town. The toasted sesame seed salad dressing cannot be beaten.
Tiko’s Floating Restaurant – Suva. For a very pleasant evening dining out, this old craft is where you find nightly seafood specials, attentive staff and some really cool jazz.
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Birdland – 6 Carnavon St. This basement pub offers the best blues and jazz in the city, with live music from Thursday through to Saturday nights.
The Barn – 12 Carnavon St. Believe it or not, a country and western club in the middle of the Pacific, with live bands and line dancing.
Victoria Parade – Suva. Just take a stroll along the parade to find a number of loud and raucous discotheques in which to spend the night.
Warning – Suva has a serious crime problem, especially at night. Take a taxi to and from your hotel after dark.
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| Most of the islands are surrounded with wonderful beaches ideal for swimming, lazing, diving, snorkelling, surfing and windsailing. |
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Taveuni Island - Known as the “Garden Isle” this lush tropical island has the country’s largest population of indigenous plants and animals.
Municipal Market – Suva. This market is a must see with its exotic fruit, vegetables, kava, seafood and spices. Vendors sell brightly coloured Indian sweets and savouries and fruit drinks from glass tanks.
Birdwaching - Many of the larger islands have designated areas specifically for birdwatching and spotting small animals.
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Government Handicraft Centre - Set up in 1974 to promote local artists and handcrafts, here one can find beautiful woodcarvings, woven goods, pottery and cloth.
Baravi Handicrafts – Sigatoka. Apart from the traditional wood carvings and pottery to be found here, they also serve the best Fijian grown coffee.
Namana Gallery – Korotogo Drive – Outrigger Reef. This is one of the best places to buy local art, or just to browse.
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In most of the more remote villages dotted all over the islands, take the kids to see how the village girls learn the craft of weaving ‘pandanus’ leaves into mats and baskets. In times gone by the borders of the mats were decorated with parrot feathers, but today brightly coloured wool and yarns are used.
The children will have great times, simply playing on any of the white-sand beaches which cover the islands, viewing the coral from a glass bottom boat and paddling about in the sea.
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