FIJI REFLECTION
I have quite a bit of time to kill before I arrive in Vietnam, around 25hrs to be exact but having twice that wouldn’t make this any easier. I think it was after the first 4 days that I was struggling to come up with new ways to describe what I was seeing so excuse me if this sounds rather repetitive.
NOT CONVENIENT BUT WORTH IT
Fiji is one of those quintessential beach destinations were everyone has the exact same image when they chat about it. I loved New Zealand (link) so much that I was dubious if Fiji would live up to even its own hype and it turns out there was little to be worried about. Only 3 hours from Auckland, New Zealand, which is another must as I recently found out. It’s not the most accessible for us Europeans but if you plan to go as far as New Zealand, you must make time for Fiji.
WHERE IS FIJI?
SPEND YOUR DAYS LIKE THEY SHOULD BE SPENT
Fiji was a real laid back holiday as it was off season. Days were spent drinking copious amounts of Fiji water (bling bling), snorkelling, volley ball, lying in a hammock and a few drinks at night to prevent going cold turkey.
I couldn’t have chosen a better place to go sandwiched between the carnage of what was the Kiwi Experience and what will be the carnage of Vietnam. It has some of the best beaches I’ve ever seen, the closest thing to paradise I have ever seen. Also good to see a few people from the kiwi experience I didn’t spend much time with but just knew to look at haha
GREAT FROM START TO FINISH
The week was chill, it started off at beachcomber, the party hostel in peak season where we Kayak to see what we were thankfully missing on another island before snorkeling the following day.
The following day was spent at Octopus Resort where I had my first taste of the exotic Kava and probably my last. I’m more than game to trying as many new experiences has possible when I try so its certainly a possible, I just wont be bringing home a bottle of it!
TRUE PARADISE
From here I took the boat to Mantaray Island where we met more amazing locals who make the Fiji experience what it is really is. Time here was spent painfully lying in a hammock followed by some party games.
The furthest north I could go was Blue Lagoon and it was worth the trip. Were the beaches on the other island stunning beyond my imagination? Yes! Was the beaches at Blue Lagoon even better? Yes! Here was the most chilled part of the trip and certainly the nicest resort, although I do prefer not to call them resorts as it gives off the wrong impression.
The last island was Barefoot Manta, recommended by a few of the Scottish lads from the Kiwi Bus and because the hostel focused so much on the social aspect it had to be my favourite! Not to forget about cartwheel girl and the coconut game!
ADVICE
When looking at the options of where to go and how to get about its super important you take this advice, make the islands your number one priority!! There are some of the best resorts in the world on the main island but who wants to be stuck there when you’ll miss out on the real beauty that is the Yasawa and Mamanuca Islands.
Yes you can do day trips out to the islands from your 5* luxury resort but once the sunsets and its time to leave you’ll regret not having the opportunity to stay on. And anyway, who wants to stay in a 5* resort when you will be on ecursions most days! Stay at the smaller resorts on the islands and enjoy sitting there, cocktail in hand to your hearts content!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I couldn’t recommend Fiji enough and it is good enough to travel to the other side of the world to visit. But if like most you find yourself drawn to New Zealand first then you have to make time for Fiji as well!
NEXT UP
From one epic holiday to another, Vietnam (and Phil) awaits!! But it doesn’t all go to plan, find out about how everyones worst nightmare happened to me as soon as i arrived. Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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This post is part of The New Zealand and Fiji Series, click to explore.
