Islandliving fiji from the editor
AUTUMN 2017 | ISSUE 19
e c n e g l u d In issue
N
ext issue, we will be celebrating four years of Pacific Island Living. We started this magazine for Pacific people – to find, review and recommend things to see and do, and ultimately, buy. We are proudly an aspirational magazine, we want our readers to sit back and indulge just as much as we want to tell the world how great the Pacific really is. From Georgie Gordon’s health and beauty columns, to Carolyn Ernst’s gardening tips, we hope you agree Pacific Island Living has something for everyone. In four years our market has grown from Vanuatu and Nauru Airlines to cover most of the Pacific. We’re particularly proud of our market share in Fiji and the Solomon Islands as well as our distribution in Australia through Qantas Club lounges. As I write this column I’m in Fiji, having just flown in from Vanuatu. Next month it will be Nauru then the Sollies. Pacific Island Living truly is a Pacific magazine and we’re so pleased you have enjoyed it and helped its growth over the last four years. Please do keep in touch via our website, Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter. Happy reading. Tiffany Carroll
Find us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/pacificislandliving, Twitter
@PacIsLiving
and Instagram at instagram.com/pacisliving or read this and all our magazines online at www.pacific-island-living. com Cover images - Fiji Island Living courtesy Adrenalin Fiji; Solomon Island Living, by David Kirkland; Nauru Airlines Cover courtesy Nautilus Resort, Kosrae; Vanuatu cover courtesy Pavol Stranák. Copyright: All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced without the permission of the publisher. Articles express the opinions of the author and not necessarily those of Nauru Airlines, Tourism Fiji, Vanuatu Tourism Office or Pacific Island Living.
CRUISING THE YASAWAS I DINING I SHOPPING SHERATON TOKORIKI REOPENS PLUS FOOD I FASHION I BEAUTY I HEALTH I FINANCE
islandliving | 1 pacific
1 | Islandliving paciďŹ c
Ni Sa Bula
PICTURE: Likuliku Island Resort.
Bula Vinaka!
Forty-hour work weeks, long commutes and soul-sapping traffic jams can drain your energy but that’s nothing that a little R&R in Fiji can’t fix. Our 333 sun-kissed islands with their sugary beaches, thunderous waterfalls and colourful coral reefs are the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Escape to any of the many luxury accommodations hidden in remote, idyllic pockets of these beautiful islands. Intimate ‘bures’ tucked away in lush gardens, plush overwater bungalows and spacious private villas with jaw-dropping panoramic ocean views all compete to give you the ultimate romantic escape. With their mix of cultural décor, modern amenities, outdoor rock showers and private plunge pools, these tropical sanctuaries exude effortless island chic. Relax with a book, sunbathe by the pool or indulge in a decadent massage and spa treatment while dedicated staff cater to your every whim. Away from your little patch of paradise, there’s lots to keep
you occupied. Head inland and raft stunning river gorges, hit a round of golf on one of our championship golf courses or skydive over breathtaking island and reef mosaics. Our warm waters are an aquatic playground, where you can parasail, jetboard or surf exhilarating world-class breaks like Namotu Left and Cloudbreak. Fiji’s coral reefs are legendary so don a snorkel or dive the deep blue and discover why sites like the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall are some of the best in the world! For the ultimate extravagance, take a scenic helicopter ride or charter a luxury catamaran to a secluded beach for a romantic private picnic. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, take the jet-ski! There are countless ways to spoil yourself in Fiji. We hope to see you soon!
Vinaka! Islandliving | 1 Fiji
From cultural tours to cruises, weddings to rafting, Fiji has something for everyone. Bula and welcome!
Fiji: The Facts
We have two seasons: warm and even warmer. It’s a sunny, tropical climate that’ll wash the winter chills from your bones. That doesn’t mean it never rains here, but you can expect May to November, our cooler months, to range from 19° to 29°C. And from December to April, the temperatures move up the register to range from 22° to 33°C.
Geography
Fiji is a very hospitable land of blue-green lagoons, lush rainforests, pine forests, mountains and 1,666 kilometres (1000 miles) of white sand beaches spread over 300 islands scattered across 18,270 square kilometres (11,350 square miles) of ocean.
Time Zone
Straddling the 180th meridian, Fiji has frequently been called ‘the crossroads of the Pacific’. In fact, the International Date Line has been adjusted so that the entire archipelago falls into the same time zone, 12 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. From November to February Fiji moves one hour ahead with its own daylight savings.
2 | Islandliving Fiji
Population and language
Fiji’s population is approximately 837,000 made up of indigenous Fijians, Indians, Chinese, Europeans and South Pacific Islanders. English is the official language with Fijian and Hindustani also spoken.
Religion
Fiji is a multi-cultural nation with many religious beliefs. The people are primarily of the Wesleyan persuasion. Various protestant denominations, Roman Catholicism, Hinduism and Islam are also represented.
Local customs
It is important to dress modestly when away from hotels and resorts and particularly when visiting a Fijian village. Avoid wearing a hat in a village, it is considered an insult to the village chief. It is also insulting to touch someone’s head. It’s best to not wear shoes if visiting someone’s house. When visiting a village it is customary to present an inexpensive gift of yaqona or kava to the ‘Turaga Ni Koro’, the traditional head of the village. Be prepared to shake hands and answer personal questions as to where you are from, whether married; and, if so, how many children.
PICTURE: Adrenalin Fiji, Port Denarau.
The temperature
Health
Fiji is free from malaria, yellow fever and major tropical diseases. Inoculations are only required if travelling from an infected area. There is an effective medical system in place with government and privately run hospitals, clinics, surgical centres, dental services and pharmacies.
Phone calls and Internet
Fiji’s country code is +679. Many hotels and resorts have direct dialling facilities (IDD), and card phones are available in many shops and stores. Look for the Telecom call card signage on display. Fiji is well serviced by local mobile networks including Vodafone Fiji Limited, Digicel and Inkk Mobile. You can also arrange roaming status before travelling here as well as on arrival. Access to the internet and email is available in most parts of Fiji. In addition to sites at all major hotels, internet cafés are abundant in major cities and towns.
Currency and banking
The Fijian dollar is the basic unit of currency, available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Coins are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2. Normal banking hours are 9:30am to 4:00pm, Monday – Friday and 9:00am to 1:00pm on Saturdays in selected areas. There is a 24-hour currency exchange service at the arrivals concourse at Nadi Airport. ATMs are located around the country and at larger resorts and hotels.
Bargaining
You’ll find many sophisticated retail outlets here, suitable for traditional tourist shopping. And if you venture a little further, you’ll discover fruit and vegetable markets, overflowing with produce, curio and handicraft vendors, Indian merchandise and specialty gift stores. It’s here that you might find yourself in a bargaining session over price. It’s all part of the experience, so go ahead and enter into the spirit of it.
Tipping
We don’t encourage tipping, but you may, if you wish, offer extra payment for an outstanding service.
Electricity
The electric current is 240 volts AC 50Hz. Fiji has threepin power outlets, which are identical to Australia and New Zealand. Leading hotels and resorts offer universal outlets for 240v or 11v shavers, hair dryers and other electrical appliances.
Quarantine
To avoid the introduction of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases, we prohibit the importation of vegetable matter, seeds, or any animal product without a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.
Taxes
A 15% Government Value Added Tax (VAT) is applicable to all goods and services in Fiji. Visitors staying in hotels and resorts are subject to 5% Hotel Turnover Tax (HTT).
VAT refund scheme
The Fiji VAT refund scheme allows tourists to claim a refund (subject to certain conditions) of VAT paid on goods purchased in Fiji and taken out of Fiji via Nadi International Airport or Suva Wharf as the final port of departure to a foreign destination.
What are the conditions of the scheme?
To be eligible for a VAT refund under the Scheme, you must satisfy all of the following: Spend a minimum of FJ$500 (VAT Inclusive) in any of the approved licensed retailer outlets during your stay in Fiji and take the goods out of Fiji within two months from the date of purchase. Carry the goods with you as check-in baggage or hand luggage. Purchase the goods from an approved licensed retailer. You must ask the retailer for a refund form and a tax invoice(s) for goods purchased. So if you are spending over FJ$500 at Jacks, Tapoo etc make sure you ask them for the refund form. The licensed retailer must complete the form and attach receipts.
Customs duty and duty free concessions
A bona fide passenger disembarking in Fiji is entitled to the following duty and VAT free concessions: Dutiable goods accompanying passengers (other than alcohol and tobacco products) not exceeding FJ$1,000 in value. Goods that are owned by passengers and not intended as gifts or for sale – personal effects, household effects for returning residents or intending residents, articles taken out of Fiji on departure on which duty and tax have been paid. Every passenger 17 years and over can bring into Fiji the following goods duty and VAT free, provided they are accompanied and not for sale: • Cigarettes, not exceeding 250 sticks or • Cigars, not exceeding 250 grams net weight or • Tobacco not exceeding 250 grams net weight or • Any combination of (1) to (3) above, provided the total net weight does not exceed 250 grams • Spirituous liquors not exceeding 2.25 litres or • Wines, not exceeding 4.5 litres or • Beer, not exceeding 4.5 litres or • Any combination of the goods in paragraph (5) to (7) above, provided that the combination does not exceed the equivalent quantity under any one paragraph • Other dutiable goods, not exceeding F$1,000 in value.
Islandliving | 3 Fiji
Cure KidsFiji
Sally Cooper, director of operations at Cure Fiji tells how having fun can lead to saving lives.
C
ure Kids Fiji, with support from our partners, is working on two of the biggest concerns in children’s health in Fiji. Cure Kids was formed in New Zealand as a charity in 1971, by two young doctors who knew there was a need for more research into children’s health. The duo approached Rotary with their idea and they became the founding partner of Cure Kids. Cure Kids has been responsible for some major breakthroughs in children’s health as a result of the research they have funded including research into sudden infant death syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Solutions from this research have been adopted as global standard best practise. In 2005 AccorHotels established their first resort in Fiji and as giving back to the community is high on their agenda, they sought out a local charity to partner with. They approached Cure Kids in New Zealand, with whom they had a strong partnership, and asked if they would establish something similar in Fiji; at that time there was no charity looking into long term sustainable health care solutions in Fiji. So in 2006 Cure Kids Fiji was formed. Last year marked our 10 year anniversary here and to celebrate we have just completed our biggest event to date. The AccorHotels Race to Survive was held for the first time in Fiji in 2006. From then it has been held every second year. The event has evolved over the ast decade and we have taken participants each year to a different part of Fiji. The
4 | Islandliving Fiji
five-day adventure race includes community service, RHD (Rheumatic Heart Disease) screening and a range of physical, mental and out-of-your-comfort-zone experiences. Participants come from AccorHotels in NZ, Australia and Fiji as well as some of their key suppliers and business partners. This year we had the largest event to date with 88 participants and 12 crew which included Dr Joe Kado our head cardiologist and RHD guru. All of the participants are requested to raise funds in order to be able to join the event. Although a minimum is set, most of the participants go well above and beyond. They are also required to train in the lead-up to the event in order to be able to swim 1km in open water, run 8km and paddle 4km. Last year, for the first time, we were very generously sponsored by South Sea Cruises. This allowed us to take the event up to the top of the Yasawa Islands, which is without doubt one of the most scenic areas in Fiji. Crystal clear waters teeming with marine life, white sand beaches and junglecovered volcanic mountains reaching from the sandy shores for the clouds. This amazing terrain made for some exciting activities! Day one started with a physical torture challenge set by Pacific Fitness before heading to Port Denarau to board our charter catamaran and speed up to the Yasawa Islands. We stopped at Naviti Island and set up camp in Kese Village. This area was badly affected by cyclone Winston and was still in
Participants and sponsors raised a record-breaking $841,000 which was more than has ever been raised by a single event in Fiji!
recovery mode. Here the four teams were each tasked with installing a water tank. The installation will provide Kese with just under 40,000 litres of fresh water. During the day Dr Joe and his team were screening the kids from the local villages (there are three on the island) for RHD. There were several cases discovered and liason with their local health centre will ensure these kids now receive treatment. That evening we were entertained by the village children and feasted upon a fresh seafood banquet that had been harvested that day by the men of the village. Day two we were woken very early by the sound of village roosters. The water tanks were completed and we bid farewell to Kese village before taking off on an all-terrain cross country run in a mere 42-degree midday heat … Across soft sand, through bush land, through villages and finished with a 45-degree cliff climb. The swimming event that followed was a welcome reprieve! We then set off by boat to Barefoot Manta – a resort with luxury tents. Here we set up camp for the next two nights. Day three was the most physical day. The four teams spent the morning rotating through four activities which included abseiling down a cliff face, climbing coconut trees, weaving baskets and free diving for stones … this was all before lunch. After lunch there was another cross country event which
included a beach run, mud course, hill climb, ocean swim and spider web challenge. Needless to say we all slept well that night! Day four, up early and off on the Barefoot Kuata where the participants got to snorkel with white tip reef sharks and build Bilibili rafts for racing. From here we transferred to South Sea Island and did a series of kayak relays around the island before setting up camp on our own private island for the night. The sound system was hacked and before we knew it there was a bit of a beach party happening with some of the more energetic participants dancing into the night. Day five another early start and kayak relays before heading back to the mainland. A run through sand dunes that had been the training grounds for the Fiji 7’s pre-Olympics was the next challenge of the day before taking on the Momi Bay Zip Line course. Participants all gathered to run the finish line together. The driveway up the Sofitel was lined with over 150 children and staff to welcome us in. The first hot showers were had before the final dinner which included entertainment from the Police Marching Band, a children’s choir and fire dancers. The final reveal of funds raised was real cause to celebrate. The record breaking $841,000 was more than has ever been raised by a single event in Fiji!
Islandliving | 5 Fiji
indulge yourself
Fiji Diningu’Guide s best Viti Lev
Tiffany Carroll and Tatyana Leonov took time out to discover some of the best restaurants in Fiji.
F
iji is renowned for its powdery white-sand beaches and ludicrously turquoise-blue sea and travellers flock to this island paradise to unwind, explore and forget their urban existence. Today the Fijian culinary scene is attracting a new breed of travellers and its epicentre is the perpetually busy Nadi and surrounds – the place to swim and relax in the sun – and now also to eat and eat. There are excellent resort restaurants headed up by international chefs who craft gastronomic delights, a colourful market to explore, kava ceremonies and romantic beach picnics. Discovering the culinary scene in Fiji is about letting
6 | Islandliving Fiji
go and doing as the locals do during the day and feasting on haute cuisine at night. Or the other way around. It really doesn’t matter in Fiji. Less than 10 kilometres from Nadi, Denarau Island is home to a cornucopia of resorts, most with fabulous restaurants that offer the ultimate in dining – lavish fine diners, elegant waterfront restaurants and casual poolside hangouts – it’s all there. Local chefs are getting creative with cooking styles, sometimes fusing modern techniques with traditional cooking methods, and international chefs are bringing their own experiences and adding it to the mix.
Suva on the other hand has endured living in the shadow of Nadi, its western big brother for tourism, beaches and, up until recently, its dining scene. Suva can now share the accolades of Denarau with some of Fiji’s best restaurants serving up delicious food, unique ambience and fresh local food. Similarly, the Coral Coast is bursting with good restaurants, mainly at the big resorts along the coast, but also at smaller, locally run cafes as well.
with a grand foyer and impressive entrance driveway. There are five unique restaurant choices, three bars and a romantic private island bure dining option. The culinary landscape covers Japanese, Italian, local seafood specialities, and the brasserie style Bula restaurant. The Wiki Walu restaurant is located on its own private island and is very popular with both in-house guests and visitors from neighbouring resorts – do book ahead. Pappagallo (opposite page) is the hotel’s Italian restaurant located within the main hotel complex. This restaurant engaged famed Brisbane (and now Vanuatu-based) chef Mario Alfieri to design its menu. The result is authentic Italian food with a Pacific twist.
Cardo’s
Snowy House
With locations throughout Fiji, including Suva, Nadi, Lautoka and Savusavu, Snowy House is everyone’s favourite dessert café. Snowy House is a premium café, where you can enjoy tasty drinks and a different variety of desserts. They serve loads of unique drinks created using in-house recipes including coffee, tea, juice and smoothies. “We offer a comfortable, friendly environment for everyone to come and enjoy our selection of cookies, pastries, and different desserts, which are homemade and freshly prepared,” the team at Snowy House says. Snowy House is the very first dessert café to introduce the most popular and famous Korean Ice Dessert, Bing-soo in Fiji. It is served as “Snow”. Red Bean Snow is made of ice shavings and sweetened red beans plus a variety of toppings to bring out distinctive flavours.
The first time we went to Cardo’s we expected just another tourist trap – you know, friendly enough but a fairly common menu and touristy prices. That was about eight trips ago and the fact we keep going back proves we were indeed very wrong about Cardo’s. You see Cardo’s is more than a restaurant and bar, its actually a second home to many locals and long term expats. They go for the cold beer and food, sure, but they also go for Cardo – the man himself. Proprietor Richard (Cardo) Slatter, a fun, feisty and flamboyant (well, perhaps well-dressed is a better description) Fijian is the life and love of Cardo’s. A sharp wit and just as sharp a tongue, Cardo has been doing what he does best – restaurants and bars for longer than he cares to admit or remember. This experience and charm is why locals, repeat guests and visiting journos keep coming back. It’s the sort of place you want to hang out with mates, or join a table of expats and locals. Famed for his imported NZ steak, friendly, efficient staff who get to know you by name and great cocktails, Cardo’s is an institution in Denarau. The locals go there because they know they’ll get great food, enjoy live music and watch all the big games on big screens. So if the footy, rugby, cricket or soccer is on, you won’t need to set the home recorder, head down to Cardo’s to enjoy a few drinks, a beautiful waterfront setting and the game.
Warwick Fiji
The Warwick Fiji is part of a large international chain with several properties in the Pacific; this is a hotel of substance
Islandliving | 7 Fiji
Top and below left:Flying Fish at the Sheraton. Right, top; Lulu’s friendly service. Above: V Restaurant at the Sofitel.
Flying Fish
At Sheraton Fiji Resort’s al fresco waterfront Flying Fish restaurant (Peter Kurivita’s signature brand) Pawel Klodowski is wowing customers with polished, tantalising dishes every night. Fijian seafood is prominently featured on the menu and à la carte dining is always popular, however now there’s a new concept for patrons wanting something a little bit different. Book for a Chef’s Table dinner and get up close and personal with the creators. Private or communal, the idea is that guests watch the chefs do their meticulous work and indulge in both a degustation and show. sheratonfiji.com
V Restaurant
Just a stone’s throw away French chef Jean-Marc Ruzzene presents diners with a sophisticated French-inspired menu at the suave V Restaurant at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa. Unlike the perennially busy Salt Restaurant which overlooks the gigantic family pool and the softly lapping waves of the calm sea, step into V Restaurant and enter another realm, one where thatched roofs and palm fronds don’t exist, instead an elegant interior colour scheme of browns, crèmes and beiges dominates the elegant room. Here everything is beautifully presented (think crisp table
8 | Islandliving Fiji
linen and beautiful menus), service always comes with a smile, and dishes whizz out looking like artworks. An out-of-this world experience … in the tourist centre of Fiji.
Lulu’s
Another Port Denarau favourite amongst locals, Lulu’s has resisted the temptation to mark up, it’s no tourist trap, rather offers good quality food and service. Lulu’s philosophy is to use only the best quality ingredients available, prepared in simple yet delicious recipes, and served with friendly Fijian service and a smile. Open daily, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner; the menu has something for everyone. Renowned for in-house roasted coffees, fresh fruit juices, burgers and made to order sushi. From the bar you can expect icy cold beers, a selection of wines or an exciting cocktail such as an Espresso Martini or a Mojito. Lulu’s is the ideal place to meet old friends for a couple of drinks, make new friends while you watch the world go by, or just enjoy a good meal with fair prices and portions. Look out for their new bar/cafe at Nadi International Airport departures too – a welcome addition to airport fare with the same great food and service as Denarau.
Life is a collection of special moments Let Warwick Le Lagon be part of it Surrounded by natural beauty along the cobalt waters of Erakor Lagoon, Warwick Le Lagon - Vanuatu offers opportunities to create those special moments. Whether planning a relaxing holiday, romantic escape, wedding or conference, guests enjoy comfortable accommodation, exotic scenery, soothing spas, delectable cuisine and a host of activities suitable for all ages.
Warwick Le Lagon - Vanuatu, Elluk Road, Erakor Lagoon, Port Vila, Vanuatu D +678 22313 | info.lelagon@warwickhotels.com | warwickhotels.com/le-lagon-resort
1 | Islandliving paciďŹ c
1 | Islandliving paciďŹ c