Fiji - The Island of Smiles

Viti Levu
The largest island is home to nearly seventy percent of the rainbow of nationalities that make up the people of Fiji. Just over 50 % residents are Fijian, 40 % are Indian, and the remaining 7 % are members of other races. It is between the Fijians and the Indians, who immigrated at the end of the 19th century as workers on sugar plantations, that the fiercest struggles for supremacy on the island take place. After the coup d'état in 2006, the situation also calmed down in to the capital city of Suva, which is also the largest city and shows an incredibly cosmopolitan face with Christian churches, Hindu temples, Muslim prayer houses and even an abandoned Jewish cemetery. It is most interesting to observe the mixture of races and cultures at the city market, where they offer food for Polynesian, Indian, Fijian, Chinese and European households. Part of the market is only dedicated to selling coffee, but not coffee as we know it around the world, but the dried root of the plant yaqona. The root, ground into powder and mixed with water, gives the appearance of a muddy slurry, and to tell the truth, the taste is not much better, but the effect of the drink, called coffee, is slightly narcotic and is therefore incredibly popular, especially in the villages in the interior of the island. If we decide to explore the green interior of the island, when we visit one of the villages on the way, we will certainly be served coffee, which is very legal in Fiji, its effects are first felt on the lips, which become numb. The most surprising part of exploring the interior of the island is certainly the simple way of life of the inhabitants. Many of them still live in traditional bures, houses with thatched roofs, in which the central space of the house is empty and dedicated to socializing with friends, with whom the hosts sit on the floor and talk long into the night over coffee.

Mamanucas Archipelago
Most visitors to Fiji first get to know the city Nadi. Not because of the beauty and importance, but because of the airport nearby. Nadi is also an excellent starting point for getting to know the archipelago Mamanuca. About 20 islets that make up the group lie in a wide lagoon between the reef Malolo and islands Viti Levu. Mamanuca is the easiest to reach archipelago and therefore also the most frequently visited. The nearest islet Little by little convinces us that Fiji really is the soft coral capital of the world, as the famous researcher called it Cousteau. The island Beachcomber is intended for young people who enjoy diving, not too expensive accommodation and above all plenty of fun, a nearby island Castaway however, it is a haven for honeymooners with deeper pockets. Tokoriki Island Resort is intended for romance and enjoyment as a couple, as children under the age of 12 are not allowed to stay at all. The archipelago is ideal for snorkeling or more serious diving for properly trained underwater explorers. Some coral walls are more than 80 meters high and there is never a shortage of vibrant and colorful life around them.

Yasawa Islands
When we talk about the beauty of the Pacific islands, we often think of the paradise beaches from the movies. It is one of the most famous films Blue Lagoon starring Brooke Shields. The most beautiful scenes were filmed right on the beaches of the archipelago Yasawas. The archipelago consists of about twenty islands of volcanic origin, and the chain is located about 40 kilometers northwest of the main island of Viti Levu. White sandy beaches, crystal clear water, lush tropical rainforest and high volcanic peaks are ideal for relaxing by the sea or actively discovering natural beauty.

Northern Archipelago
Northern islands Vanua Levu and Taveuni and smaller islands in their vicinity make up the Northern Archipelago, where, despite the modern hotel complexes, life still moves slowly and where visitors can feel the pulse of the real Fiji. Vanua Levu (Big Island) is the second largest island of the Fijian archipelago, with a population of approximately 130,000. A 31-kilometer-long rainbow coral reef stretches along the island of Taveuni. One of the most beautiful hidden corners of Fiji is certainly the town of Savusavu on the island of Vanua Levu, known for copra - the dry kernel of the coconut from which coconut oil is produced - and hot thermal springs. A nearby island Taveuni it is known as a vast garden with waterfalls cascading down steep walls, lush vegetation, excellent bird watching and especially villages Waitabu and Boom, which secured the former fishing area in 1998. The ban on fishing has borne fruit, as ten years later life in the warm tropical sea is lively and varied, and many visitors are happy to observe the world under the sea level and thereby contribute to the well-being of the villages.

Kadavu
Group around Fiji's fourth largest island Kadavu it lies about 100 kilometers south of the central island of Viti Levu. Kadavu is known mainly among divers because of the 50-kilometer-long Astrolabe reef, and the interior of the island, which is least known to tourists and least developed, is also attractive. 75 % of the island is still covered with tropical rainforest, which is home to many birds, including four endemic species.

To break
The heart of Fiji is represented by the seven major and numerous smaller islands that belong to the group To break, lie east of the largest island of Viti Levu. With a population of just over 16,000, the most rustic part of Fiji is visited by few tourists, who tend to stay longer than originally planned. The Lomaviti group is also considered a fishing center and adventurers who enjoy hunting big fish will not be disappointed.