Our trip to FIJI was to be one of our most memorable experiences ever. The sights, the sounds, the smells all come together to make Fiji something exciting and pleasant, yet different from anything we have previously known. Our Worldmark Resort was amazing! It boasts the longest swimming pool in the Southern Hemisphere. I swam in it everyday and believe it was! One day we decided to take a hike……

The Mountains of Fiji
The mountains are not so rugged; more like rolling hills, heavily volcanic in nature. The land is covered with thick, tall grasses and all kinds of bushes and trees. A type of Pine tree grows plentifully. Bushes are thick and easily hide the local animals, including the Wild Pig, often hunted by the Fijians with sharp bamboo sticks. Vegetation includes Lemon, Guava and other tropical fruit type trees. Coconut trees are plentiful and usually loaded with coconuts.

We began our trip at the top of a 3000 foot mountain and walked down the back side to the lower elevations. We looked at a place along the cliffs where people used to live in caves, cut into the cliffs. The Fijians were in hiding years ago from the Cannibals.

The Fijian Village
It is customary in Fijian culture for one’s knees to be covered, especially when entering a village or entertaining guests. It is otherwise, a sign of disrespect. We Americans were given the option. The Fijians were glad that we chose to show respect for their culture.

The Fijian village was a stark contrast to our own neighborhoods. The houses were very small, open to the world, without windows or doors. The better houses were built out of corrugated sheet metal pieces, thatched roofs and curtains; others out of poles and grass. Floors and walls may be covered with woven palm leaves.

The large hut, made from thatch, leaves and bamboo was a central meeting place for gatherings and ceremonies. It was a place where the Kava Ceremony was held. Kava is a Fijian drink made from the root of a certain plant.

We were guests (although we paid to have this ceremony and lunch prepared for us). The Kava Ceremony was performed as if we were guests of honor. The mixing of the water and powdered root was thorough. We were served in a cup made of Coconut shell. We would clap our hands three times, drink (bottoms up), return the cup and then clap three times again. After we each had a cup, we were given the option of another. The taste was similar to wet dirt, but some of us drank a second time. Following that, our lips began to tingle and go partially numb. Fijians will often sit for hours and drink this stuff, probably going numb all over, and waking up the next day without any side effects.

The Fijian lunch prepared for us was Taro Root, boiled; Taro Root cooked in Coconut Milk; and Taro Root some other way. We had a small portion of Deviled Ham and a few other dishes we could not spell. We drank lemonade. The Fijian Women would not eat until we had finished our lunch. It was their custom to wait until guests had eaten before the hosts would eat.

The children were fun loving and friendly. They wanted to be held, swung and pampered. They entertained us with the “tricks” they could do (like stand on a mound or beat on a log with a stick). Their clothes were well used and plain. They were barefoot and shirtless. Their hands were rough; their smiles warm. They enjoyed life.

We commented about the poverty and lack of electricity or running water or indoor facilities. Our guide agreed they were poor but “they had all they needed” to be happy. It did not seem to faze them that people like us were “rich”, having all the things they do not have.

The day we were there, the villagers were preparing a feast of a cow they found on someone else’s property because they could not kill a wild pig.

You should visit Fiji sometime……It’s a great experience.