Wednesday, April 13, 2011
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White Sand, Clear Water, Palm Trees. Typical Mana Island
Mana island is one of 333 fijian islands, just a 4 hour boat ride from Nadi from about $50 return. Mana island is a lovely little island you can easily walk round in about 3 hours providing you're steady on your feet as you do have to clamber over rocks round some of the edges. The accommodation on Mana varies from budget to exclusive with the island having its own airstrip its a popular destination for families and honeymooners as well as backpackers. The island seems to be split in to 3 sections, the section where you arrive on the boat is where all the backpacker accommodation is, some more expensive than others. I stayed at 'Serenas' which was $35 a night with 3 meals included; the dorm rooms were basic as was the one cold tap used as a shower. Although the family that ran it were lovely and very helpful i wouldn't recommend it, the food was questionable, often cold, and I personally don't enjoy doughnuts for breakfast. The situation was similar next door at Mana Lagoon, although they have a small games room and the only shop on the island.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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Sunset from the pool in Fiji
If you're planning on visiting Fiji you can do it in one of 2 ways: 1. Book a set tour for a specified number of days and on a pre-determined number of islands, having the whole thing planned out for you or 2. you can get a flight, land in Nadi and see what happens from there. Although a little daunting I'd recommend the latter; its cheaper and if you get somewhere you don't want to be you can leave or likewise if you really like somewhere you can stay longer. As a starter when you land in Nadi airport your going to get harassed by people trying to book you into tours and plan your trip... they're all working on commission and can be a bit pushy. Be strong and walk through the airport there's a free phone and you can dial one of a number of hostels to pick you up. More often than not they'll pick you up for free but if not its only about $10 - $15 fjd
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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Drinking Cava with the locals at a “Cava Ceremony”
If you're visiting fiji you have to try cava! Cava is a local drink usually drank with a group of people in a 'cava ceremony' it is made from a plant root grown on the main land. The root is ground down in to a fine powder, its then wrapped in muslin cloth and put in water it is dipped in and out and squeezed many, many times until all the goodness from the roots is realised in to the water.