Fiji- A delightful fusion of nature and tradition
Different people explain travel in different ways. For some it is for leisure and for others their job takes them places. But there are travelers who take traveling as a meditation. They meet different people, garner knowledge about the culture, food, and other aspects of a place. These experiences undoubtedly contribute towards experiences that are worth living for and exposure that any amount of reading cannot provide. Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji is an island country that has immense potential to lure a traveler. The country is a mixture of Indians who came to the island as a part of laborers’ migration, Europeans and Rotumans.
Fijians, the indigenous inhabitants of Fiji, are Melanesians who possess a mixture of Polynesian blood which is apparent in the eastern islands. As Indians form most of the population Fijian Hindi has become an official language of the country. Fiji’s Indians can be divided into two broad cultural categories reinforced by physical differences. Those from the north of India – the ‘Calcuttas’, or ‘Calcutta Wallahs’- came from Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh through the immigration point of Calcutta and spoke ‘village’ Hindustani.
A Melanesian country in the South Pacific Ocean, Fiji is formed of volcanic mountains and warm tropical waters and lies close to New Zealand. Despite consisting of 330 island groups about 87% of the total population of 883,483 live on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, the two major island groups. One of the most outermost island group is Ono-i-Lau. With Nadi, the Coral Coast, Denarau Island, and Mamanuca Islands being the famous spots, fiji attracts tourists and travelers throughout the world. For those who are beach and coral lovers, Fiji is the apt place to visit. One can also try a hand in scuba diving. The tropical climate and Quaint villages also add to the itinerary for those who love to enjoy their trip in the lap of the nature.
The white sandy beaches are to die for, and the coral reefs needs to be visited once in a lifetime for knowledge one can receive from there and maybe give it a second thought before dumping the waste and plastic in the sea after that. The extent of damage it creates to the marine ecosystem can only be understood once we get to see it for ourselves. One needs nothing more to rejuvenate and feel relieved other than experiencing aesthetic beauty of a beach and blue waters surrounding it. The tropical climate of the island makes it the best place to be visited throughout the year.
Other major attractions of Fiji include the Botanical Gardens of Thursten in Suva, Sigatoka Sand Dunes, and Colo-I-Suva Forest Park. Even though these can seem quite common to any other places with nature as a backdrop for tourism, in Fiji it is different considering the comparatively less number people visiting the island. Honeymoon in Fiji has become of the recent trends among the married couples. According to the remports, In August 2013, five couples entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the "Highest Altitude Wedding on an Aeroplane" after planning to get married at a height of 41,000 feet on a Fiji Airways flight from Auckland to Nadi.
Apart from adults only or couples only resorts there are many kids friends resorts that offer many services like kids clubs, nanny services etc , making it an accessible destination for both people traveling with or without kids. And even if you are traveling with kids but want a quick getaway, the above-mentioned services keep the things sorted. With professional assistance that also ensure safety, kids can enjoy their own time while the rest of the family enjoys their way of exploring the place.
When in Fiji, traditional Fijian Bobo massage is a must. A healing blend of massage with oils that are extracted from nuts identical to the place is an experience worth giving a shot. Other distinctive relaxation therapies that the island provides are. Duavata island-style four-handed massage and Thalgo therapy mud and algae wraps top enticing local treatment options.
Fiji is also known for its Kava culture wherein drinking yaqona (or kava) is a tradition and considered as the part and parcel of Fijian life. Made from the pulverized root of Piper methysticum, which is a plant from the pepper family, the drink has a legend associated with it. According to legend, the word “yaqona” was derived from the Fijian god Degei, whose name means “from heaven to the soil and through the Earth.” It is believed that Degei had three sons, all of whom he had given two sacred crops, vuga and yaqona, which provide wisdom. The sons gave these crops to their people, also making them the subjects of the wisdom. It is believed that this tradition has carry on and therefore the legend states that to this day, the crops grow wherever Fijian descendants reside.
Fiji is, therefore, an island that has a rich culture and distinct traditions attached to it. It is undoubtedly a place for those who want to combine the experiences of having explored a place with undefined natural beauty while delving deep into the roots of how a place and its unique traditions are formed. In the present scenario, one knows that only thing that is still are the pandemic restrictions that every country is following. However, holidays know no boundaries and restrictions. While such places are still not open for the tourists, one can plan everything in advance so that while in Fiji one can explore it to the fullest, without leaving out a single beach or experience the volcanic mountains.
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