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As in many cultures, food is essential to the way Fijians gather, celebrate, and communicate. Fijian cuisine relies heavily on fresh, local produce – from abundant seafood to locally-grown and -raised vegetables, fruits, meats and poultry, prepared in a way that marries traditional Fiji island culture with the hundreds of years of influence Indian food and tradition has had on the island’s residents. Some Fijian staples you may not recognise from home include:

Taro

A light purple root vegetable with dark green, edible leaves, taro is native to the tropics and a staple of the Fijian diet. The locals call it dalo, and it’s delicious when added to stews, steamed and served plain the way the locals like it, or cut into chips and deep fried. The leaves, called rourou, are cooked down in coconut milk until they resemble creamed spinach and served as a side, or stuffed with meat (usually corned beef or fish) and coconut meat to create delicious palusami.

Duruka

Often called ‘Fiji asparagus’, duruka is the unopened shoot of the cane plant. Related to sugarcane, duruka is most often steamed or roasted and served as is. It grows wild in some areas, and can be eaten raw, but we advise that you leave that to the locals!

Nama

A small seaweed that resembles nothing so much as a tiny bunch of grapes, nama is served fresh as a side dish or as part of a salad. A native to tropical areas, other nations such as Fiji’s neighbour Samoa serve nama, also called sea grapes, use it in soups and stews, though Fijians tend to prefer it fresh.

Fijian food is a culturally diverse mish-mash of native Fijian, British, Indian, and Chinese influences, and this is reflected in the vast array of cooking and spicing methods favoured by Fijian cooks and restaurants. When you’re in Fiji, be bold – try everything, because you never know where you’ll find your next culinary adventure.

If you love surfing, you’ll love Fiji. Now one of the world’s premiere destinations for surfing, it’s hard to believe that surfing in Fiji has only been freely available to the public since 2010.

Surfing Fiji

Fiji is home to some of the world’s best breaks, including the world-famous Cloudbreak, voted one of the world’s top-10 best/most challenging breaks, and Restaurants, which breaks right off Tavarua Island. Both have been home to the Fiji Pro, a staple of the Men’s and Women’s World Championship Tours until 2018. With swells ranging between two and twenty feet and a reef break, these two breaks are for advanced surfers only. But don’t worry if you’re not the next Pro Tour headliner – if you want to surf, Fiji has a break for you.
Moderate surfers will enjoy heading out to Desperations, a good wave for shortboarders and bodyboarders even when the ocean’s having an off day, or Namotu Left, considered by some the best longboard wave in Fiji.
Wilkes Pass has waves suitable for all skill levels, though surfers are warned to watch out for rips in the area as well as the ever-present reef, which in this area sits a little deeper below the surface.
If you’re just starting out, make your way to Swimming Pools, a fun, user-friendly break just off Namotu Island. It can be difficult to catch, but you’re guaranteed a fun ride.

What to bring

While there are some resorts and companies that rent or sell surf gear, check with your accommodation before you head over with only your backpack. The sea is warm enough that a swimsuit and a rashie will be perfect, and with all the reef breaks it’ll pay to throw your booties in your bag as well.

When to surf

While the breaks are best between April and October, the surfing in Fiji is good all year around. It can be less consistent during the wet season, November to March, but the swells do get bigger then.

Fiji is a beautiful place, and there’s so much more to it than surfing and sunbathing. Each island contains a vibrant ecosystem, made up of thousands of plants and animals and strung together by the ocean that surrounds them all. But human intervention has vastly altered the ecosystem of the Fiji islands, and some of its species are under threat.

One such species is the sea turtle. Sea turtles spend much of their lives in the ocean, only venturing on land to lay their eggs in the nesting season. Once hatched, the tiny hatchlings face a perilous journey down the beach to the ocean, dogged by predators and the bright tropical sun. Once they reach the ocean it’s no picnic either – commercial fishing with dangerous trawl nets, rubbish to get entangled in or eat by mistake, destruction of habitat by oil dredging, and being caught by humans for food or for their shells are all constant dangers in a sea turtle’s life. Of every 100 hatchlings that begin the struggle down the beach, only one or two will survive to adulthood. Sea turtles are considered to be critically endangered, and their trade is strictly prohibited in Fiji.

The Mamanuca Islands are home to the main nesting and foraging grounds of two species of sea turtle – the Hawksbill turtle and the Green turtle. These beautiful, gentle creatures rely on the beaches of Mamanuca to survive. Our community is mindful of these beautiful, endangered creatures and encourages tourists to respect their environment.

One step onto any Fijian island and it’s easy to see coconut trees springing up everywhere. The benefits and amazing versatility of the coconut is not news – the oil is cleansing and healing, the meat is delicious fresh or dried in a huge variety of sweet and savoury recipes, and the water is super hydrating. But to native Fijians, the coconut represents so much more – every inch, every aspect of the coconut tree has been essential in building local life into what it is today.

If you have a need, it’s very likely that the coconut can help you out. Here’s how:

It’s good for your digestion

Many know coconut meat as the main ingredient in coconut ice – admittedly not itself a health food. But did you know that eating coconut meat can help your digestion? Coconut meat is a natural laxative, and it can help ease the symptoms of diarrhea, colitis, indigestion, piles, and stomach ulcers. Try swapping your regular plain flour for coconut flour, or use the milk to make a soothing popsicle.

It’s an all-purpose beauty product

Coconut milk is used in a huge range of beauty products, as it is natural, organic, and super hydrating for your skin and hair. Coconut oil is also a hugely versatile beauty product. It’s moisturising, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory, and you can get it at your local supermarket. For a low-cost, high-benefit beauty regimen, just smooth some straight out of the jar onto your face after a hot shower, then remove with a damp towel. Before long your skin will be glowing!

It’s an environmentally friendly cleaner

Despite being gentle enough to use on your skin, coconut oil is also versatile enough that you can use it to clean – almost anything, really. If it’s dirty, grimy, or needs some shine, just dip a clean cloth in some oil and off you go! Works on furniture, tyres, windows, whitegoods – everything can be squeaky clean and sparkling with the application of a little coconut oil!

If you’re a seasoned traveller – or even a regular commuter – you know the things you can’t live without. Phone, keys, something to read, a water bottle – these things probably make it into your bag without you even having to stop to think. But whether you’re new to island adventuring or a seasoned traveller, there are a few things that you’ll find yourself reaching for time and again on your Fiji adventure.

Sunscreen and insect repellent

It my go without saying, but proper sun protection is so important it needs to go on the top of the list. Items like sunscreen and insect repellent can be expensive to buy once you’re on the island, so make sure you pack enough to cover you for your whole trip

A scarf or cover up

Fijian locals dress fairly conservatively, so if you’re planning on spending some time exploring local towns and villages, consider bringing or wearing something that can cover your shoulders and knees. No-one wants to be turned away from a sacred space or suffer stink-eye from the locals while picking out fab local wares.

Reef shoes

If you like water sports, you probably know this already, but reef shoes and a comfy sports swimsuit will make your ocean adventures that much more comfortable. Contrary to the name you should never walk with these babies on the delicate coral reefs surrounding Fiji’s islands, they come in seriously handy for avoiding little cuts and scrapes while snorkelling.

Comfy walking shoes

When you booked your Fiji holiday you were probably imagining a week on the beach, soaking up the sun and catching up on your favourite authors. But there’s so much more to Fiji’s islands than sun and surf! Fiji is littered with beautiful national parks featuring walking and hiking for adventurers of all levels.

Resorts are a wonderful choice for a holiday. They offer relaxing beach time, quality accommodation and plenty of options for couples and young folks, and families. Many resorts offer a variety of activities and facilities for the whole family.

Beach volleyball

With so many resort rooms and bures being just footsteps from the sand, why not use the nets and play some fun family volleyball? Ask other guests to join you and make some new friends, or play with just your family. Our staffs are also happy to jump in and make up a team or fill in any uneven group numbers. The soft sand makes a safe playing surface for everyone.

Snorkelling

Just wade in meters from the shore and duck your head under to watch beautiful coral and tropical fish. Snorkelling is great for all ages! Malolo Island has incredible coral reefs. You can keep track of the different types of fish you encounter, or just watch and enjoy the colourful show.

Nature Walks

Plantation’s unspoiled and natural environment is one of the highlights of the island. Go exploring on your own, or ask Guest Services about a guided nature walk. Make the most of every day – or send the kids and let the parents have a sleep in!

Traditional Cooking Lessons

Have you been eating at your resort and wondering why it all tastes so good? Do you want to recreate your paradise when you return home? Experience authentic island style cooking techniques, get helpful hints and hear fun stories while learning to cook traditional Fijian food.

Sunset Cruise

Enjoy the beauty of a tropical sunset while on the ocean, a beautiful way to end one of your days at the resort. A Sunset Cruise is the ideal excursion to explore more of the Mamanuca Islands – just ask Guest Services for details.

When you hear ‘Fiji’, I’m sure your mind immediately turns to thoughts of pristine sand beaches, snorkelling through clear blue waters, and the classic honeymoon destination. But there’s so much more to Fiji than resorts and water sports. Fiji’s culture is open and hospitable, a blend of ancient and modern practises that comes from a riot of influences including Indian, Chinese, and European, as well as from its neighbours Tonga and Rotuma. Fiji’s culture touches every aspect of Fijian life, from food to music and celebrations, rituals, and the arts.

Fiji’s cultural history can be seen throughout its islands. It’s evident in its range of crafts, traditional etiquette, and local architecture. Throughout your stay in Fiji, you’ll be surrounded by a patchwork of languages, religions, and rituals, and the best way to experience the real Fiji is to dive right in.

There are many ways to experience Fiji’s culture, from national parks and historical sites to village tours, traditional water sports and even adventure cruises. If you like history, many historical artifacts and documents that depict this story are preserved and displayed within museums and protected as National Heritage Sites. Rugby is the island’s national sport, so be sure to catch a game if you have the chance – especially if that game is between Fiji and its rival neighbours Tonga or Samoa. Popular cultural experiences for tourists include taking part in a traditional Kava ceremony followed by festivities of song and dance; enjoying a Lovo, or traditional Fijian feast cooked in an earth oven, and witnessing the drama and daring of a fire walking ceremony.

For more details or to get involved in Fiji’s rich culture, ask your concierge what they recommend. They’ll have the local knowledge to connect you to a truly authentic Fijian cultural experience.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on Saturday 28th April for our second annual Animals Fiji Golf Tournament Fundraiser! For the second year in a row, Plantation Island hosted a fun day out of friendly competition for a good cause.

Our golf course was the perfect venue for the event, and we welcomed 35 players who participated in the tournament. The day was sunny and warm, a wonderful day for golfing. The players and their friends and families were invited to catch the Malolo Catamaran from Port Denarau to the resort. While the players made their way to the golf course, their entourages were able to frolic at the beach or stay and watch the golfing.

The participants enjoyed nine holes of golf, and prizes were awarded for best team score, longest drive and nearest to the pin. Everyone enjoyed a buffet-style lunch after the prize ceremony at Plantation Island Resort. Congratulations to Niven, our Resort Manager; and Umesh, our chef, the winners of the competition! Plantation Island Resort is happy to have contributed to such a wonderful day out.

Animals Fiji is a registered Fiji and US charity that focuses on animal welfare. They are based in Nadi but operate throughout Fiji. Their five clinics offer veterinary services and welfare outreach, and the clinic in Nadi also operates as a shelter, taking in strays, injured and abused animals. We are very happy to have spent a second year supporting such a valuable organisation, and hope to continue to support them in the future.

We would like to thank all of the sponsors for the event, which was a great success. We raised over $10,000FJ for Animals Fiji through sponsorship and the entry fee.

Malolo Lailai has a problem. Its once-pristine beaches are under threat from rubbish being washed up from the ocean. Like many Pacific islands, insufficient rubbish disposal methods are leaving the developing populations with insufficient means to get rid of their rubbish, which means that people are returning to the old ways of dumping their waste – feeding it to the pigs, or throwing it in the ocean. With Fiji’s growing range of imported goods being wrapped in fewer and fewer biodegradable materials, plastics have nowhere to go other than back on to Fiji’s pristine beaches.

But all is not lost. Plantation Island Resort is committed to the future of the island it calls home, and community initiative such as the Resort’s annual clean-up day aims to tidy up the beaches and restore the beauty and tranquillity of the Malolo Lailai landscape.

Plantation Island Resort’s inaugural clean-up day was held in early April, and was a roaring success. Over 100 staff and guests gathered together to pick up rubbish from the resort’s beaches and share a meal afterwards.

“Environmental initiatives are a priority for Plantation Island Resort in 2018,” said Akskay Singh, the Resort’s Director of Sales, Marketing & Strategic Development. “We have banned all plastic shopping bags from the Resort and are currently working on a number of exciting initiatives that will help tackle the global plastic pollution problem.” These initiatives include reducing the amount of plastic waste the resort and its guests produce by providing reusable shopping bags for guests.

“This island is our home and we will do everything we can to protect it for generations to come. We are committed to operating in an economically, socially and environmentally responsible manner, and to strive to be a leader in sustainable development.”

It is a fact universally acknowledged that long layovers are tough. If you’re at the start of your trip – say, less than 8 hours in – you just want to get on your way. If you’re nearing the end, having travelled 10 hours plus, you’re desperate to be in a safe environment with a real bed and real food. Either way, you’re going to find a bathroom and a hot drink, then settle in one of those airport loungers and count the hours until your next flight.

But what if there was a better way?

Many cities offer great day trips and tours for the mini-vacationer, and a lot of a city’s best attractions – museums, restaurants, and activities – are best enjoyed over no more than half a day. The same is true for many hotels and resorts, which offer day-rates for travellers who are just breezing through.

Consider Fiji. A common stopover point for flights between the United States and those nations south of the Equator, Fiji is rich with mini-vacation and day trip opportunities that will leave you relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready to jump back on that plane. The island is small enough that a stopover of 5 hours or longer will enable you to explore its charms with ease; anything longer than that, will give you plenty of time for a day trip out to one of Fiji’s many beautiful resorts.

A 10 minute Taxi from Nadi International Airport, Fiji’s main international airport, will take you into the town proper Nadi, where you can shop, eat, and explore the local culture. A further 10 minute ride down the road is Denarau Port, where ferries depart every hour for the surrounding resort islands. Some resorts offer day trip packages, including transfers, meals, and use of all resort facilities – including snorkel hire, waterparks, and showers to clean up in after. What better way to wash off the plane than in the Pacific Ocean?

Next time you’re travelling long-haul, consider breaking your trip with a day trip. It could be just what you need.