Weekend Wanderlust: Bula! Fiji (Part Two)
Read Weekend Wanderlust: Bula! Fiji (Part One) here.
If you haven't been to Fiji, I hope this blog post inspires you to go. Our first stop in Port Denarau on Valentine's day 2015 was pretty magical but Suva was just something else all together. It was so divine that Gemma and I didn't want to leave!
5 Places to visit while in Suva
The Grand Pacific Hotel
The first place we visited in Suva was the Grand Pacific Hotel, with room names such as Queen Elizabeth suite and the Royal suite after a visit from the Queen in 1953. A beautiful place to stay if you're planning an oversees honeymoon or destination wedding. For me, the highlight was standing outside with the feeling of being in a more tropical version of Wes Anderson's Grand Budapest Hotel.
Gates of the Presidential Palace
Just minutes up the road (literally two from the Grand Pacific Hotel) are the gates to the Presidential Palace. Fiji is a tropical wonderland, however it has had four military coups in the last two decades with the most recent in 2006. Travel is about getting some lovely photos to share via social media, but please respect the boundaries of what is acceptable when interacting with the guards. Most of our group took the opportunity to pose with the guard. However touching him or trying to engage in eye contact is quite disrespectful and could land you into trouble with a six foot, fit, Fijian man.
The guard wears a traditional white sulu as he stands to attention at the gates.
We took a few steps back and just appreciated the outfit!
Emily Falls
Next stop, Emily Falls. Fiji has so many beautiful waterfalls, and you will find them as close as 15-20 min drive from the capital. Once we hit the mountain ranges surrounding Suva the tropical rainforest engulfed us. A local family is entrusted with the guardianship of Emily's Waterfall which is named after their first born daughter. A wonderful namesake idea if you ask me and a beautiful destination.
Shannon takes a dip!
Pauline beneath Emily Falls
Pam having some fun under Emily Falls
Maya under the falls
We were taught by our guide that "Flowers in the left ear means you are taken, flowers in right is single and behind both ears means you're desperate" - Bill (Moana tour guide)
Navatuvula Village
The highlight of our trip to Fiji would have to be our visit to Navatuvula Village. Here we were invited to dance with the locals, sample the foods prepared from the forest and listen to the gong of the native church bells.
Tina learning how to weave
Editing this I got a fright, can you see a figure in the doorway? I was too scared to adjust the exposure. Anyone brave enough to do it and report back?
A close up of Gemma's Lei. In Polynesia a Lei is given as an affectionate way to say something. In our case 'Bula! Welcome to our Village'.
Gemma and Carolyn looking lovely in their tropical outfits
We were invited to see the village Church and play their wooden instrument used instead of bells to summon the local people
Gemma and I
Then onto our lunch, the foods that they prepared for us included Yams, Breadfruit, and Taro Root and a lemon and hot chilli sauce, we also bought fresh coconuts from the village to drink it down with, yummo.
Opening our coconuts
Using the thumb to remove flesh from the coconut, Fiji
Me saying goodbye. They loved a TIGHT hug!
Gemma saying her goodbyes
Suva City
To end our day we headed into the city of Suva to buy a few trinkets and explore. Suva Fiji, I'm excited, can you tell?
Have you been to Fiji? What were your highlights?
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.
Maya xo