Going to Fiji is either island vacation or diving, but what if you encounter bad weather, such as a rainy day all day? Is Fiji just a holiday trip? Although it is a small island, Fiji's local culture as the capital of Suva is well worth a visit. So, in case of bad weather, charter a car to take an in-depth tour of the whole of Fiji once. But if the driving skills are great (skilled right driving), you can consider renting a car and driving, so that the play is more free. However, whether it is chartered or rented a car, it is most cost-effective to share it equally.
Charter attention
When chartering a car at a Fiji pier, first exclude those charter companies and choose to walk out of the pier entrance, where many local drivers will ask you if you want to take a car. Therefore, if there are many people, you can charter a car here, but before chartering a car, you must talk about the price. Local drivers are all randomly asking for prices. Let's take our own experience: we had about 13 partners from the cruise ship at that time, because we needed a big car, and the driver quoted us 550 FJD, which was equivalent to 225 US dollars. And a little more than half a day cost so much, and then we cut it to Fijian dollars 150.
Therefore, in the dock charter car must be cut the price, but where there are many people, there will be miscellaneous hands, and we must pay attention to thieves.
At the same time, there is no money exchange agency near the pier, but there are many ATMs on the streets of Fiji city, and the handling fee is generally FJD 5. Usually a hundred yuan can be exchanged for 30 FJDs.
Government Building
The Fiji Government Building is the first place we go, it is not a sight, but in the eyes of foreign tourists, the Government Building is a must-visit place on a Cultural Tour of Fiji. The whole government building has a strong sense of age, and there are two sculptures at the main entrance, which are the kings of the country. When we went, it was a rainy day, although there was no sunshine and blue sky, but the government building under the dark clouds still looked very spectacular and majestic.
We weren't allowed to enter the government building, but our charter driver was so enthusiastic that he offered to contact the government staff if we could go in and see. Although the government staff only gave us 5 minutes in the end, we were still very excited. After entering the building, we visited the Parliament Hall in the Government Building.
Entering the parliament hall, a fat government official also took the initiative to explain to us the various things in the parliament hall. Includes portraits on the table (photographs and messages of individual members of parliament, equivalent to the list card at the table of the national leader. ), and the table and chair where the most important leaders sit are specially sent by which country. Of course, the most interesting thing is when she talks about the various symbols on the flag - a white dove means that fiji used to have cannibals, but now it does not exist, and the white dove indicates peace, indicating that Fiji, and indeed the whole of Suva, is a peaceful and safe country.
When we finally wanted to leave, the government officials asked us to write down our message on the visiting book, which was a very honorable treatment. So 13 of us wrote a message to identify ourselves – costa Atlantic!
Later, we met two old Chinese couples here, also Costa boat passengers, because our chartered car can still sit two people, so we take them with us, so that each of us will share the cost equally for FJD 10 (but after all the trips, according to the Fiji tipping state system, we each have to tip the driver a little, normally 2.5 Fijian dollars, but we ended up giving 2 Fijian dollars each. ）
stadium
I can't believe that fiji stadiums can become one of the top ten attractions in Fiji, such a ranking is incredible. The stadium is next door to the government building, a spacious stadium, surrounded by a very beautiful lawn, the environment is particularly green. So, after visiting the government building, we crossed the road directly to the stadium.
But the stadium is just a glance away, and you don't have to spend too much time.
museum
As the number one national museum in Fiji's top ten tourist attractions, you have to go. Entrance fees to the museum are FJD 10 per person, or FJD 5 if you have a student ID.
Before entering the museum, there are many stalls selling local gadgets nearby, things are relatively rough, you can visit the museum first and then come out to take a closer look, because the museum also has to buy local specialties, but the price must be more expensive than outside, but there are a few things worth buying.
Entering the museum first, there will be a fat Fijian man dressed as a primitive aboriginal, and interested people can go over and take a picture with him at no charge. Then there is the visit to the museum. The largest hall of the museum exhibits boats, boats of ancient Fijians who went out to sea, and there are paintings on the walls to illustrate fijian history. Of course, there are many things that Fiji used to use in the past that are very similar to Chinese farmland props.
Walking toward the right side of the hall, there will be a display of shells that have been seen in many oceanographic museums, the only favorite is the oval ball-like shell, and the rest is not surprising, but ordinary.
Then enter another room, which is dedicated to buying local specialties. Most of the tricks, personally feel that there are three things to consider buying, the first is the refrigerator sticker, Fiji's refrigerator sticker is more literary, some like a brooch, very beautiful. Ranging from FJD 8 to FJD 10, although there are also duty-free shops in the city, but only 0.5 FJD cheaper.
The second is the grass cloth totem, which has plants, animals and writing, which is a souvenir with local characteristics. However, the price was not cheap, at that time I bought one for FJD 52, and a friend bought one that was slightly cheaper, needing more than 40. Others cost FJD 92, but FJD 92 is prettier. However, this kind of thing should not be given away when bought back, one is expensive, and the other is more suitable for keeping it for yourself.
The third one that can be bought seems to be only available in museums, and I haven't seen it in a long time in duty-free shops. It's a straw rag doll, particularly cute but too expensive for over $30.
Walking through the souvenir room to the left, there will be two directions, one is the second floor of the stairs, one is to go straight to the next exhibition hall, and the next exhibition hall is some guns and other things. On the second floor are animal and plant specimens. But to be honest, these specimens are too sloppy to be taken.
The only thing that interested me a little was the bat specimen, a large bat in the dark light, which was quite infiltrative. Suddenly I remembered Palau's bat soup.
Fast food in Fiji
It was already two or three o'clock in the afternoon when we left the museum and the driver took us to eat some local restaurants. There are three places to choose from, one for meat, one for seafood, and one for fast food. The 15 people divided into three groups and went to the restaurant they wanted to eat. But restaurants are close by and can be reached on foot after getting off the bus. Among them, I went to eat local fast food with a few partners.
I have to say that fast food is very cheap. The two partners ordered two set menus, lamb and pork, plus rice, curry soup, and some fried small snacks for around FJD 26. A friend and I ordered all vegetarian and generous portions – two loaves, two curry soups, a bowl of sautéed beans, a bowl of vegetables I don't know what to do, a vegetable burritos (black), two sweethearts like hemp balls (uniformly commenting that it's the best), two small spring rolls, two pumpkin-like loaves, and two bottles of coke for only FJD 16.
St. Mary's Church
This is the oldest church in Fiji, an open church, and was encountered when looking for a restaurant, so it wasn't on our radar. But this is the oldest church in all of Fiji, and it looks a bit like Notre Dame cathedral from the side. So after eating, the driver dropped us off here.
The church is divided into two floors, one floor is empty, and there is basically nothing to see. But the second floor is where believers pray. But the internal structure of the church is not as fine as that of European churches, and the carving is not good enough. The only thing to look at is probably the glass window.
Colio Cultural Village
Colio was the most surprising place of all my journeys – it was really a small village that was ranked second in Fiji's top 10 attractions. I really wonder if Fiji is out of sights? It's an ordinary little village, where a stage is set up on the lawn and then sung and danced. However, on the day we went, because it was raining, let alone no performance, at first we didn't even see a villager.
The whole village really didn't see where there was culture, and the houses where the families lived were simply simple, like containers. Later, a local who did not know whether it was a villager or a local of the village saw us and warmly invited us to his house, the empty hall, and brought us a lot of chairs. At first, everyone thought that they were inviting us to sit down and perform a show for us, but they did not expect to finally take out a round bucket the size of a household garbage can, saying that it was to give a little fee - the legendary entrance fee to the village.
Everyone was stunned, threw away a little money, and then walked away.
But the villagers here are still very nice and very welcoming. Although the Cultural Village does not have any shows because there are no tourists on rainy days, it is also a scenic spot after all, so it is not too much to charge a little.
The most beautiful sandy beach in Fiji
From the Cultural Village to Fiji's most beautiful sandy beach, it takes a little more than an hour to drive. But this most beautiful beach is actually where a holiday home is located, where you can swim, drink, chat, hang out in a daze, watch ball games, etc. However, the scenery is very beautiful, although it is a rainy day, but it can be seen - if it is blue sky and blue sea, it is absolutely beautiful here.
The staff at the holiday home etc were also nice, no money to get in and out of the beach, you can take pictures casually. Many locals play in the pool, but they are all dressed, whether male or female, are Fijians more conservative?
It's close to Christmas, and the holiday home reception and other places are filled with Christmas flavors.
Shopping
The duty free shop was close to the marina so we could walk back to the boat at that time or take the free bus. Of course, there are also supermarkets and restaurants near duty-free shops. Of course, there are also places to eat upstairs in the duty-free shop. There are many ATMs nearby, but duty-free shops can be swiped, including UnionPay. However, as long as the card is swiped, there is a 2% handling fee.
However, when you go out shopping at night, you must always pay attention to safety, and local security seems to be unstable.
Tips:
(1) Fijians are more conservative, both men and women, it is best not to wear cool clothes.
(2) Do not touch the heads of any Fijians, including small children. Fijians believe that the head is the most sacred part of the human being, the highest spiritual place.
(3) When entering the village, be sure to take off your hat, sunglasses, and not talk loudly, otherwise this is disrespectful to the behavior of the village chief.
(4) In Fiji, people who know or don't know will greet you with "bula", and you can respond to "bula" with a smile.
(5) Never make a loud noise when visiting the tribe.
(6) During the Christmas period, the number of thefts and robberies in Fiji has risen sharply, so people who travel to Fiji during this period must pay special attention to safety.