Fiji General Information

Climate
Anytime is a good time to go to Fiji. The islands enjoy an ideal South Seas tropical climate with warm, pleasant temperatures year-round. It is a perfect destination, especially for those who want to escape the doldrums of winter.

Temperature range in summer: 24 - 36 C/ 80 - 100F
Temperature range in winter: 21 - 26 C/ 74 - 84F

The larger islands have mountain ranges lying across the paths of the prevailing winds resulting in greater clouds and rainfall on the eastern side of Viti Levu and northeastern islands generally from December through April. The western sides (Mamnucas and Yasawas) are drier, with clear skies for most of the year. Fiji’s warm, tropical waters are great for snorkeling and diving with average temperatures 26 and 30 C. One generally only needs a 3-5 mls wetsuit for diving. Visitors should have sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for sun protection - even in overcast weather. For protection against “mossies”, bring your favorite repellant. Dress is casual all year-round (no ties, gentlemen).

Health and Medical
Fiji is free from major tropical diseases including malaria, yellow fever and cholera. Vaccinations are only required if you are coming from an infected area. Tap water in Fiji is generally safe to drink, but avoid drinking untreated water in remote villages. Bottled water, under the label “Fiji Artesian Water” is now available. Fiji has an effective, western style medical system. There are hospitals located in major cities (Suva, Lautoka and Nadi) and health clinics in other areas. Major hotels and resorts generally retain registered nurses on staff and a doctor on call. As in all travel, it is wise to take out travel/medical insurance before departing.

Currency and Banking
The Fijian dollar is the basic unit of currency and is available in denominations of FJD2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 notes. Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50, and $1. Visitors are allowed to take out amounts up to that brought in on arrival. Visitors can exchange travelers’ cheques and foreign currency at banks and larger hotels/resorts. Banks have head offices in Suva with branches and agencies throughout Fiji. Normal business hours are 9:30am to 3:00pm - Monday to Thursday and until 4:00pm on Friday. There is an ANZ currency exchange service on the arrivals concourse at Nadi Airport. It opens upon arrival of the first flight and closes when the last flight has disembarked. Once off the main island banking is more restricted. On the island of Taveuni there are two bank branches whereas there are no branches on the island of Kadavu. Most others have none. Major credit cards (Visa, AMEX, MC, and Diners, but not Discover) are accepted by most tourism entities. ATMs are available in Suva, Nadi, Sigatoka and Lautoka, and are the best way to get cash - use your Plus or Cirrus asociated debit card, not a credit card. There is one in the Nadi airport, so you can get Fijian dollars immediately on arrival. A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 12.5% is applicable to all goods and services purchased in Fiji. Check to see if VAT is already included in prices when pricing goods, crafts, etc.

Exchange Rate
As rates change, you will need to check a fx converter such as FXConverter, or a bank for current rates. However, it generally stays around 55 to 65 US cents to the Fiji dollar.

Here is an idea of the average costs of goods and services in Fiji dollars which may be purchased while there:
Fijian village entertainment: 24
Sporting Event: 10
Meals: Breakfast -12; Lunch - 16; Dinner - 25

Tipping
Direct tipping is not encouraged in Fiji. However a gratuity acknowledging better service is appreciated. Tips should be placed in the box at hotel reception marked “Village Fund” or “Holiday Fund” for collective donations.

Electricity
The electric current is 240 volts AC. Outlets are the same 3-pin configuration as in Australia. Adapters and converters can be obtained at most travel stores, department stores and on line. Check to see if your appliance has a voltage switch, or is auto-sensing. If not, you'll need a converter; if it has, just an adaptor. Most major hotels come with hair dryers in room or will be equipped with universal outlets for 240 or 110 volts.

Communications
Most hotels have direct dial facilities. Check with the operator for long distance and international charges, which may also be found in the telephone directory. Please note that the international country IDD code for Fiji is 679. Fiji has recently adopted 7 digit phone numbers, so older information found in books, on the web etc may be incorrect. Access to internet and email are available all over Fiji. In addition to sites at all major hotels, internet cafes are abundant in major towns. VodaPhone Fiji Limited, a subsidiary of Telecom Fiji Ltd., operates a GSM digital mobile communications service. US mobile phones will not work in Fiji unless they are tri-band and have an international plan. VodaPhone Fiji has roaming agreements with all Australia (GSM) operators Telestra, OPTUS and VodaPhone Pty. All mobile customers are advised to check with their network operators for their roaming status before traveling to Fiji.

Arts & Culture
Tradition is at the core of the Fijian way of life. Most villagers still practice traditional arts and crafts as well as dance and music. Today there is a trend toward incorporating more modern technologies of painting, fashion design, photography and computer design which are enhancing the cultural fabric of the nation.

Crafts
Fiji’s principal craft is pottery and has been used to record the history of the people for the last three millennia. Both decorative and functional, whether used in trade or everyday village life, pottery is an integral part of Fijian life. The main artisan centres are in the Sigatoka River Valley, Southwest Viti Levu and the Rewa Delta just north of Suva. Another traditional art is woodcarving, which is exemplified in principal by the yaqona-serving bowl (tanoa). Also boats, musical instruments and implements of war serve as other examples. Visit the Fiji Museum or Official Handicrafts Centre in Suva for prime examples of arts and crafts. The Fiji Visitors Bureau can often arrange to contact the artisans directly; please eitehr ask us about this prior to your trip, or the FVB once in Fiji.

Bark Cloth and Textiles
Masi or tapa is made by stripping the bark of the paper mulberry tree, soaking it and then beating it flat and joining it into large sections. Intricate designs representing individual clans or regions are then applied. The rich colours are achieved by grinding barks, red clay resins and charred nuts. Striking tapa mats and wall hangings are used for traditional ceremonies as well as masi outfits for the bride and groom. Woven mats (ibe) made from pandanus leaves are spread on the ground for ceremonies and given as valued presents. They were distinguished by weaving brightly coloured feathers into the mats but today, coloured threads are substituted.

Music and Dance
Fijians have a great sense of vocal harmony and any occasion to hear group singing should not be missed. Especially try to attend at least one meke (dance and singing performance), church service or impromptu gathering around the kava bowl. While the present day guitar is the musical instrument of choice, traditional nose flutes, panpipes, shell trumpets and lalis (drums from hollowed logs) are still used by groups from time to time. Most mekes and cruises end with the singing of the traditional and nostalgic Fijian farewell song, “Isa Lei”. Mekes traditionally follow lovo feasts where all the food is cooked in an underground oven. Mekes are usually held once a week at most larger resorts but lovos are held all over the islands.

Oral and Written Traditions
The oral tradition of passing on history, legends and myths is still prevalent and is being further revived through storytellers. As the use of English language is wide spread, much is being written to compliment the oral traditions. There is a growing core of writers, poets and playwrights in both the Fijian and Indo- Fijian communities. The Fiji Visitors Bureau can help with dates of special performances, and often your hotel for dates and times of local performances.

Etiquette
Fiji is a friendly but reasonably conservative country, with roots in village traditions, Indian style, and English reserve. Away from the beach, and even on it in non-tourist areas, you should be tastefully covered up. If invited to, or visiting, a village, make sure your legs are covered, and you wear a top that doesn't expose much skin - arms below the armpit are OK. The ubuquitous sulu is useful to wrap around shorts or a short skirt. It's tradional to take some yaqona, the root from which kava is made, with you as a gift. If you are visiting with an organized group, the tour leader will take care of this. If you wish to make an unescorted visit to a village, purchase a bundle of unpounded yaqona root (about FJD6-8 worth). When approaching the village, do not enter directly but wait near the entrance. Someone will greet you and arrange for the best time to see the village. You will be introduced to the Turaga Ni Koro (village chief) or his representative. Present him with the kava, which he will accept as a traditional sevusevu (gift of respect). Then, when he gives his blessing, he will assign someone to be your guide and host whilst in the village. It may be possible that your initial request to enter will be refused, but usually only if the village is involved in some other activity such as preparing for a feast, celebration or funeral. It is also wise not to go on Sunday, unless previously invited to a church service.

Important Tips About Visiting Villages
a. Dress modestly - do not wear shorts or you must carry a sulu. Women must not have their shoulders bare or wear halter-tops.
b. Always remove your shoes before entering any house or other building.
c. Stay with your assigned host
d. Speak softly - raised voices are interpreted as a sign of anger
e. Show respect but be cautious with praise
f. If you spend the night at a village, reward your host with a useful gift.

You will find some villages more traditional than others, especially those distant from towns and urban centres. Like many traditional cultures, Fijians are not judgmental of other people and will rarely express a negative opinion. However, you will find that the more you respect their customs, the warmer your village welcome will be.

Architecture
The bure, or thatched roof structure, is the traditional places of dwelling in Fiji. Today, its meaning has been extended to hotel rooms. You can experience many types of bure settings at hotel throughout Fiji. One of the only all bure villages remaining in Fiji is Navala located in the highlands on the northwest part of Viti Levu. If visiting Navala, or any village, please be cognizant of etiquette for entering a Fijian home or village.

Language
Fiji is an English speaking country, although the two major ethnic groups - Fijians and Indo-Fijians, speak their vernacular Fijian and Hindustani. In the Fijian language, the vowels are pronounced as in English and other languages using the same alphabet. But there are certain unusually pronounced consonants, which can be confusing. Visitors will invariably mispronounce many words such as Sigatoka (which is pronounced Singatoka); Beqa (pronounced Mbengga) and the Mamanucas Islands (are in fact the Mamanutha Islands). Don't worry about this, you will still be understood, and the friendly Fijians will understand your difficulty.

A quick reference guide to the consonants:
b is mb as in remember
c is th as in then
d is nd as in candy
g is ng as in sing
q is g as in great

Following are a few expressions common to everyday life -try them out before yur departure so you can use at least some of them comfortably. As in all countries, such friendly language attemtps show your interest in the country, and is appreciated. Your Fijian hosts will admire you for trying and help you with your pronunciation.

Fijian Phase: Phonetic Pronunciation: English translation

Bula : Boola : Hello Good day (informal); Ni Sa Bula Nee Sa Boola Good day (formal)
Vinaka : Veenaka : Thank you; Vinaka Vakalevu : Thank you very much
Io : Ee-o : Yes; Sega : Senga : No
Ni Sa Yadra : Nee sa yandra : Good Morning
Moce : Motheh : Good bye
Kere : kere : Please (informal); Yalo vinaka : Please (formal)
Wai : Why : Water
Dua : N’Doo a : One; Rua : Roo a : Two; Tolu : Tow lu : Three; Tini : Teeni : Ten
Dua Na Drau : Doo-a Na N’Drau : Hundred
E vei na... : eh vey na : Where is...
valeilailai : vale-lai-lai : the toilet
na otela na : oh-te-la : the hotel
na makete : na ma-ke-tey : the market
E ya vica na : Eh yah vitha na : How much is...
sau ni taxi : sao nee taxi : the taxi fare
sau ni kakana : sao nee kakana : the meal
O cei na yacamuni : O they na ya-tha-mu-ni : What is your name?
Na yacaqu ko.... : Na ya-than-gu ko : My name is....
Kemuni mai vei? : Kay-moo-ni my vey : Where are you from?
Au mai... : Ow my... : I am from...