Bula, Fijians!
Much like the serene waters, Fiji’s national drink, kava—a mildly narcotic beverage—is an unforgettable highlight of any visit.
Fiji is all about water. This small nation, composed of numerous tiny islands, is surrounded by water and lush greenery. It’s known for its friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit. In Fiji, whether you’re shopping or just out and about, it’s customary to greet everyone with a “Bula.” Everyone is regarded as an auntie or uncle. Here are some astonishing facts you might not have known before:
Fiji is home to three volcanoes: Koro, Nabukelevu, and Taveuni. Although the islands experienced significant volcanic activity thousands of years ago, the region is now regarded as quiet and dormant.
Fiji stands out as one of the few places globally where every step of the rum-making process is performed manually, from harvesting the sugarcane to labeling the bottles. Visitors can now experience the island’s esteemed amber-hued spirit, provided they know where to find it.
Lovo is a traditional cooking method where a pit is dug and filled with coals. Meat and vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves, placed on the coals, and then the "oven" is buried, allowing the food to cook underground.
Fiji boasts the highest number of professional rugby players per capita globally! Introduced to the islands in the 1880s, rugby has surged in popularity and is now the national sport.
The weather remains consistently warm year-round, with temperatures generally between 77 and 86°F (25 to 30°C) each month, making it a perfect destination for any season. However, July and August tend to be a bit cooler.
The Pacific Island nation aims to eliminate plastic bags entirely this year to protect marine life from the harmful material, which can take up to 1,000 years to break down.
The Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple in Nadi, the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere, exemplifies Fiji's blend of cultures, encompassing Indigenous Fijian, Indian, Chinese, and European influences.
On the island of Taveuni, there's a freshwater mountain lake known as Lake Tagimaucia. Surrounding this lake, you'll find a unique little flower that grows nowhere else in the world.
They have a traditional dance that invokes their ancestors, performed both for visitors and during special occasions at home. Additionally, they have a customary style of singing, with songs like "Bula Malea" to welcome visitors to Fiji and "Isa Lei" to bid them farewell. The farewell song, "Isa Lei," is particularly poignant, as it wishes guests a safe journey home and expresses the hope of meeting again.
Fiji is hardly short on natural riches. Across the more than 330 Fiji Islands, forests teem with 2,600 species of plant life, and overwater bungalows on pristine beaches lure tourists from around the world.
From the August 2024 issue of FHM India.
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