With busy season coming up, we are receiving many inquiries about travel tips for Fiji.  Here is a quick summary with websites that we hope will guide you in selecting the best travel options during your stay.

Fiji is one of the most desirable global travel destinations.  A part of the South Pacific, there is a diverse selection of regions that appeal to travelers looking for a tropical climate, stunning beaches, world class snorkeling and diving, unique cultural experiences, and welcoming people with an unforgettable smile. 

With over three hundred islands including tiny palm fringed sandy spots, to vast volcanic ones – there is always something unique to experience.  On the main islands you will find everything from lush tropical rain forest and sand dunes to remote Fijian villages. There's something here for everyone: beach lovers, families, sophisticated travelers, thrill seekers and backpackers.

Fiji will awaken your sense of adventure and exploring - beyond the seductive beach resorts, a "must" experience are the remote villages with burly and wonderfully hospitable Fijians living a traditional subsistence lifestyle much the way their ancestors did hundreds of years ago.

Viti Levu is the main island with Nadi international airport on the west side of the island, and the capital Suva on the east coast.  On Viti Levu you will find a diverse range of resort complexes such as Denarau and along the more affordable Coral Coast where there's outstanding rainforest and marine regions to be explored, including the world famous shark diving at Beqa. 

The easily accessible Mamanuca Islands are the most popular with their small coral islands and beautiful holiday resorts with great beaches and plenty of water sports.  The more adventurous are drawn to the secluded Yasawa Islands with remote beaches, unbelievable sunsets, beach huts, traditional villages and phenomenal snorkeling and diving.

A few websites that will help you plan your travel around Fiji:

http://www.fijime.com/

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/fiji

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g294331-Fiji-Vacations.html

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/fiji/0208020004.html

Projects Abroad Fiji is happy to welcome and guide you on your upcoming trip to Fiji! 

Before leaving home, I thought a lot about how my stay in Fiji was going to be like. I asked myself all those question: am I going to adapt to their culture and mentality easily, is it going to be difficult?
Am I going to be happy there? How are the people like?
What about my placement, is it going to be difficult to see all those children left alone by their parents without love or someone who can provide them with the love and care they need?
How am I going to handle all these emotions?

I had always wanted to do volunteer work, especially in an orphanage. 
my purpose was to go to Fiji, work at the orphanage, help children, help people, be a good and giving person. 
But it turned out that I did so much more than that. Working at Treasure House, was my favorite part but you got to know so many other people from all over the world, and some of them have turned into really close friends. That’s something that I didn’t expect before leaving home. 

During my stay in Fiji, and during my time as a volunteer at the orphanage I realized that I can’t change the world, I cant change those children destiny or future. But I can make them smile, and I can give them love and support. 
And the most amazing thing was, that I actually felt that I made a difference for those kids, and i made a difference for myself. 

It has been a life changing experience for me, I helped and learned and I was able to make some people happy, I was able to put a smile on those children faces. And that was the best part. 

I have returned home now, and I came out of that airplane with a baggage full of courage, experience, happiness, and most important as a better and richer person with  thousands of unforgettable memories.

Fiji grew on me and it will always have a special place in my heart. 

17.02.2012 – 17.05.2012........Caroline Stigaard, Denmark 

The Fiji Museum in Suva was our social destination on June 21st, where wonderful performers from across the Pacific showcased their talent.  World Music Day is celebrated around the world, and the Fiji Music Festival in Suva was a tribute to this global celebration, open and free to all.

Local and Pacific based musicians and dancers performed to a very enthusiastic crowd, including bands Deja Vu, Surgelight, Tom Mawi and Vanuella Watt, Quin Tikis Revival Band, the Young Tongan Five, and many many more!  Pacific Dance Director Iosefa Enari said in an interview with the Fiji Times that he believed Suva and Fiji were well-placed to make an impact on the Pacific scene because of the many cultures here.

We look forward to the next World Music Day celebrations in Fiji! 

Bula everyone ! Its this time of the year again where we'll be welcoming our two week special volunteers to our shores. Before I give you some of the highlights, just a brief introduction from my side. I'm known to everyone as Lily and I look after the Two week special group of volunteers.

First from left: Lily our Two Weeks Special Coordinator

Last year was my first time with Projects Abroad and it was the month of July that I welcomed my group of eight intelligent and very enthusiastic teenage girls. My experience with this group of volunteers was amazing and it was always something new that we learnt from each other and especially from their placements and places we visited.

By Lily Irene:Two Weeks Special Coordinator - Projects Abroad Fiji 

Aimee Callinan and Mitch Saxby arrived in Fiji in May for a Volunteer Care Project at Nausori Special School in Suva, Fiji.  Aimee has experience working with children and the elderly having recently completed an Occupational Therapy degree, and Mitch is an Electrician by training.

In true volunteer spirit, they immersed themselves in helping and bonding with the children.  In their time here, they produced an extensive presentation including 83 slides of valuable information about Nausori Special School including daily activities, detailed staff and student profiles, general disability information, basic sign language, placement project ideas, additional helpful information and past volunteer experience.

Vinaka Aimee and Mitch!  We are so impressed by your drive and caring contribution which will surely be an invaluable contribution to future volunteer’s experiences.

Thanks to Lucy Wells and Pauline Ledermann from Projects Abroad Australia for initiating a very interesting and enjoyable Australian-Fiji Office collaboration via Skype. 

Projects Abroad Australia held an open house in Sydney this past Sunday, where a range of talks and workshops were held about Projects Abroad. Past volunteers and representatives attended, and Projects Abroad Fiji was invited to attend via Skype including a staff member and a former volunteer to share what we do in-country, our staff’s role and hear from a volunteer about their experience.

Vinaka Projects Abroad Australia!  We look forward to future collaborations.

I spent six months in Fiji and those six months were the best time of my life. I met so many people, saw countless beautiful places and found really good friends.  I stayed with my Fijian host family and various other volunteers in Samabula, a beautiful suburb of Suva.

I worked at the Gospel School Kindergarten and Holy Trinity Anglican School, where I became the secretary of the Head teacher, Mrs Delaitoga. This was a place where I was really needed and I had a lot of challenging work to do, which I really enjoyed.

The weekends, I spent mostly out of Suva with my friends to explore the Islands. I went to the Yasawa Group, Nadi, Rakiraki, Sigatoka, the Coral coast and two tiny Islands, Caqalai and Leleuvia.  But I didn’t only love the beach and the Islands, I also loved Suva, which is just a great city.  And my friend Rebecca and I became big fans of the buses, usually without windows and music louder than in a night club.

Fiji was the best thing I ever did. I met countless awesome people, Fijians and volunteers, I made friends for life and I changed a lot myself.

Vinaka Anja!  Look out for the full version of Anja’s article in the upcoming Newsletter of Projects Abroad Fiji.

Following a recent workshop held by Mr P (Prashneel Goundar- Projects Coordinator), I decided to take an arts and craft lesson with my second grade class. I spoke to my teacher and we agreed upon a time in which I could take the lesson.

The class decorated with paper snakes

I brought some paper plates and red paper for the activity. I was going to teach them how to make paper plates which involved giving each of the children a paper plate each and they had to colour both side of the plate in lots of colours and patterns. I explained to them what to do and they then had to come to Mrs Susau and I once they finished colouring.

Raksha holding her paper snake

We would begin cutting the plate from the edge and cut in a spiral inwards until we reached the middle. This left a circle which would be the snakes head. After this we would use black marker to put two eyes on the snake and cut a tongue out. We then hung string across the classroom and looped the snakes over them so they uncoiled towards the floor. 

Onnie's decorated plate before it was cut into a snake

The classroom looked great decorated with all the snakes and the children had a great time taking part in this activity. 

Blog by Lucy Hoskin- England 

When I arrived in Fiji, my first stop was at Dilkusha Orphange. Upon arrival you are greeted by some of the most inspiring children you could be fortunate enough to cross paths with and I cherished my time with each and every one of them.  There was never a shortage of smiles and cuddles and I can’t wait till I return to Fiji to see them all again.

Next stop was Suva Primary School where my work placement began once the school term commenced. I soon found myself blending in completely, eating the way the teachers ate, spoiling (teasing each other) the way the teachers spoil, and socialising with them quite often outside of work hours. A couple of grog (kava) sessions really showed them what I was made of and I soon earnt myself the title of the fairest Fijian in the school compound!

I was also lucky enough to do quite a bit of exploring whilst in Fiji.  From the Yasawas, to the Coral Coast, to a tiny island off Suva called Leleuvia.  Every single place I went, the scenery and Fijian hospitality never failed to impress me and I only wish I had more time and a bigger bank account so that I could have seen and done a whole lot more!

Elaine, Chin and Karishma thank you for helping make my experience in paradise such a beautiful one.

Vinaka Belinda!  Look out for the full version of Belinda’s article in the June Newsletter of Projects Abroad Fiji.

The Suva Volunteer group took a trip to Toga Village to experience the unique Fijan customs of Lovo Cooking and Kava Pounding.  In Lovo cooking, first the stones are laid and fire lit to heat the stones. Once heat is sufficient, the firewood is removed and meat, rootcrop and other prepared foodstuff are placed on the hot stones and covered. The aim is to not let any steam or heat escape to ensure proper cooking/baking of the meat and rootcrops. The food is covered with wood and leaves and left for approximately 1.5 hours.

Kava is a local special drink produced in a very traditional way.  In Kava Pounding, a metal mortar is placed on the ground and a long metal pestle. The mortar is very heavy and requires at least 3 people to carry out the process. Each person takes a turn to pound the kava. The final result must be a powder form of the waka roots.

An enjoyable evening of tradition, fun and food including lovo chicken, Taro (Dalo) Palusami (taro leaves with coconut milk), Fish, stir fried vegetables, salad, Watermelon – Vinaka!