Page 20 - FlipBook

GETTING THERE
The best way to get to Fiji is by
flight. Hop on a plane from several international airports for a direct line to paradise on earth. Although Nadi International Airport is the primary Fijian airport destination, there are other domestic airports for you to choose from.
Island hopping is a breeze with plenty of speed boat services available to take you from one exquisite location to another. Buses and taxis are also available to ferry you around the islands at prices that can go as low as AU$4.
LET SLEEPING GIANTS LIE
If you need a respite from the endless blue, head to Vitu Levu, Fiji’s largest island, and drink in the lush green of The Garden of the Sleeping Giant. The spectacular topiary displays a variety
of flora—primarily orchids—amidst tranquil scenery spread over a sprawling 20 hectares. Lily ponds and landscaped gardens make for excellent snapshot opportunities and add to the serene atmosphere.
Immerse yourself in nature further
at the Sabeto mudpools. You can slough off any residual tension in the mineral- rich mud, then indulge in a holistically rejuvenating dip in the hot springs. For something more rigorous, the Orchid Falls & Jungle Safari tours take you into the heart of the tropical jungle. As you navigate between the ancient trees and vines, look out for the waterfalls nestled deep in the forest. The safari also lets you zipline through the expanse of green for a thrilling birds-eye view.
UNEARTH HIDDEN GEMS
Fiji is not just paradise for tourists. Home to the second happiest people
on earth, it holds a variation of religious institutions, from churches and mosques to Sikh and Hindu temples. The country is an ideal vacation spot year-round because it’s safe to say that at any given time,
locals are celebrating a range of festivities, between Diwali, Christmas and Prophet Mohammad’s birthday. Its population is an amalgam of natives from Asian, European and Fijian heritage, contributing to its culture of warmth and hospitality.
To get a taste of this cultural melting pot, try one of Fiji’s signature forms of cooking— the Lovo. ‘Lovo’ is ‘feast’ in the native language. What makes a lovo dish unique is that it is cooked in the ground itself. Heated stones are placed in a shallow pit in the earth, and are used to heat chicken, fish or pork, which is wrapped in leaves. The meat is topped with a healthy serving of root crops like tapioca to produce a wholesome and tantalising meal that’s infused with natural barbecued smokiness.
18 JANUARY 2017