Fiji

LEADIN With its white sand beaches, tropical climate and relaxed pace, Fiji has rightfully earned a reputation as a South Pacific paradise. But while most tourist activities come with a price tag, there are plenty of things for adventurous travellers to do and see for free. STORYLINE: Think Fiji and the image that comes to mind is sun, sea and long white sandy beaches, but it's the friendliness of the people that makes travelling in these islands a real delight. Tourists quickly learn the ubiquitous word "bula" (pronounced boolah) which means hello and is usually accompanied with a broad smile. And while on average a hotel room will cost between $100 and $400 per night there are also plenty of interesting sights on the island that come for free. At the local produce markets, you can pick up tropical fruits and vegetables for a bargain: five mangoes will cost you about $1. Nadi Municipal Market has tables laden with ginger, coconuts, mangoes and jackfruit. "First we cut it. And peel them," says a jackfruit vendor. "On the board we make it in small pieces. Then we make the curry. With onion, garlic, chili, we cook it. And put some, you like, (inaudible), masala, curry powder, and cook it, until it is cooked. Then it is now ready and you can eat with the roti." There are also lots of stands selling kava, a plant from the pepper family which is native to the Pacific. Fijians use kava powder to make an intoxicating beverage which is drunk in ceremonies throughout the islands and even by a few people in this market. "Ah drink, yeah. Drink. This is powdered kava, this one here. This is for the drink. Mix, then drink" explains this man. If you do decide to try it, drink it in moderation. In 2002 the Food and Drug Administration of the United States warned that kava may be linked to serious liver injury. Fiji's capital city Suva has a similar municipal market that also sells fruit, vegetables and fish. Viseisei village near Lautoka is one of the oldest in Fiji, home to some of the first Melanesian settlers. It's also where some of Fiji's leaders have lived and it has hosted dignitaries including the UK's Prince Charles. You'll get a sense of village life and see things like a traditional chief's hut and ceremonial drums. Visitors can walk into the village at the north end or pay 5 Fijian dollars ($3) at the south end and have someone show you around. In the centre of the village is a Methodist church, an important institution to many in Fiji. There's also a monument of a neck-breaker club, used in past times by Fijian cannibals. The club is laying down with a cross on top, signifying that this way of life has come to an end, as tour guide Kelepi Kaibau explains: "Behind me is a traditional burial ground, or the monument, to the traditional warriors of our chief and, as you can see, on top lays a big replica of a war club. The war club. And it signifies that our ancestors used to be cannibals, and that it was one of their main weapons. It's called the neck-breaker, that's what they used to apply at the enemy's neck to break him to death. And now it's laying down and the cross standing on it, it means no more cannibalism. So it was through Christianity that stopped cannibalism in Fiji today." A word on dress code though, avoid wearing bikinis or other skimpy clothes, which are considered disrespectful in this setting. A fringe of coconut trees gives way to the gorgeous, pristine Pacific Harbour beach with a gentle arc. It's the perfect place for a swim in placid waters that are as warm as a bath. Only some parts of the beach are publicly accessible, and so it pays to keep an eye open for signs or to ask locals. Natadola Beach is stunning in different ways to Pacific Harbour. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7496e47f82c5d6f9d2adced73a4375c3 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork

• published: 31 Jul 2015
• views: 1581