HOLIDAYS: FIJI
FIJI IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CULTURE, CRUISES AND CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATER ON THIS ISLAND PARADISE.
Image: Daniel James Clarke
WORDS DANIEL JAMES CLARKE
“Bula! Another rum punch?” It was just enough to stir me from my paradiselike state, lounging by the pool. The children of the group were lighting the resort lanterns under the watchful eye of the kids’ club director, the sun had begun slowly setting behind the azure waters, and I was confident my next words would be “Yes, please”. Fiji sets itself up as the perfect long-weekend escape from the bustle of Sydney. Close enough for a four-day getaway, yet far enough to lose myself in another culture. Glamorous enough to feel royally pampered, yet affordable as an alternative to interstate travel. We’d found the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure just four hours from the city. Ziplining through the nearby Garden of the Sleeping Giant provided enough adrenaline to warrant a relaxing mud-pool hot-spring session. A day of snorkelling and kayaking around a private island ensured a great excuse to indulge in all of the seafood and Indian-infused cuisine the archipelago has on offer. Flying into Nadi, nearby Denarau Island hadn’t required any expensive transfers or long waits to allow my feet to dig into the soft sands. A multitude of sailing boats supply ample day
