I went to Nadi, Fiji in 2019 for a conference and to celebrate a big birthday (stop trying to work out my age – every year after 21 is a big birthday. lol) The country/archipelago bursts with colour and beauty from every corner, with sunrises and sunsets that may result in a tear rolling down your cheek. Music and dance are the heartbeat of this island nation and as you can imagine – dancing people are cheerful and friendly people. During traditional dances, Fijians are often clad in traditional tattoos and the sulu (a traditional unisex Fijian skirt made from a blend of polyester and cotton fabric with bold zig-zag patterns). Stories are told through these performances, which evoke feelings of love, joy and triumph.

Many people wear flowers on their ears and depending on the side they are placed, they show the wearer’s marital status. The right ear means married or in a relationship and the left ear is reserved for the single. Regardless of gender, visitors are allowed and often encouraged to join in the flower-wearing fun. Bright-coloured bold shirts are also quite common. The service in every place I went to was absolutely incredible, with people going above the call of duty to assist and ensure that you have a fabulous experience in your country. 

The vegetation as you explore the island is beautiful. There are so many lush forests and palm trees, as expected for a tropical island. There are so many activities one can explore in Fiji that bring you closer to nature, such as snorkelling-including encounters with sharks (if you are so inclined), river tubing, natural spring mud pool experiences, and exploring natural caves amongst many others. If you would also like to better understand the local cultures or visit local villages, there are several opportunities for this too.  

Due to the large Indian population in Fiji the local cuisine is an interesting fusion of Fijian and Fijian Indian delicacies. The former is made up mostly of seafood that is not too spicy and the latter comprises of a very spicy cuisine often served with rice. A lovo is an underground, slow-cooking earth stove that is powered by hot stones (this is similar to how the Maori make the Hangi in New Zealand). It is used to prepare meals such as kumala (sweet potatoes), yams, cassava and a variety of red and white meats. The food gets its added flavour from the light smokiness produced by the stones. 

The religion is just as diverse as the cuisine, with several Christian churches, Sikh temples, mosques and Hindu temples spread across the country.