Am I Awake or Am I Dreaming?

The word Fiji gives me goose bumps. Fiji reminds me of those perfect postcards sold at airports. From sand beaches and palm trees to clear, blue backwaters, the island of Fiji has it all.

Choosing between Australia-New Zealand and Fiji was simple. Striking out the former, I repeated ‘Fiji here I come.’

The white sands that line the beaches are pure as snow. The panoramic range of hues and shades in the forests leaves me dumbstruck. And how can I forget the clear blue waters of the sea? They simply call me to be a part of them.

The phrase ‘Paradise on earth’ is too mild for its beauty and has become sort of a cliché. The Yasawa Islands are in a league of their own with no possible comparison. Seeing is believing; therefore, you will have to view Fiji for yourself to appreciate its beauty.

Getting around the islands is no difficult task. Also, get your money’s worth for everything Fiji has to offer because the Fiji dollar is inexpensive. Fiji is a typical island with not so typical activities.

The sound of the crashing waves will leave your head in a spin of joy. The laidback attitude and warm hospitality of the inhabitants make it hard to say goodbye to this place. The starry nights blend well with the pleasures of the sun. The islands of Fiji are remote and this is a sort of blessing in disguise.

Backpacking in Fiji is one of the most unique experiences you can have. Go island hopping among the chain of islands that comprise the Yasawas. Each island has a minimum of two resorts that help you unwind. Avail of tours, which take care of all your meals and recreation. This is a kind of packaged backpacking. Each new island brings it own set of experiences. All facilities of the resorts are economical from food and alcohol to traveling. Tourists expecting fine dining of star hotels will be disappointed. The travel too is not traditional. On the contrary, it is more offbeat.

The islands of Fiji may be tropical in nature. But the inhabitants are always and will always be hospitable. Each inhabitant will welcome you with a smile. They always enquire about your experiences and accept feedback no matter what the situation.

I had the pleasure of spending a night with the staff of Waya Lai Lai resort. I give a thumbs-up to this resort. Sipping the native drink, Kava, had its own joy. Kava is after all the pride of Fiji. To prepare this drink, the kava root is mixed with water, giving it an earthly taste. It has relaxing properties and can numb and tingle your mouth and tongue.

I learnt that drinking kava is not like any other drink. There is an elaborate ritual accompanying it. You need to clap once before the first sip. Also, I had to drink the entire shot in one gulp and yell ‘bula’. Also, clapping thrice meant that the drink is over. Clapping your hands is a symbol of respect. This entire ritual is common among the inhabitants who love to enjoy. Do not be astonished to hear the words ‘high tide’ and ‘low tide’. They do not refer to the sea but to your drink. All I had to do was finish the drinking with a ‘tsunami’ and sleep deeply.

Although the location of Fiji is remote, it is highly accessible. Most world tours have Fiji listed on the itinerary. Since my previous destination was Australia, I had to take a stopover flight to get to Fiji. Most people visiting Australia-New Zealand do not include Fiji. I am happy that I never made the same mistake.