Fiji
From Singapore, we often travel south/east towards Australia… then New Zealand. But did you know that further 2000km north/east of New Zealand lies Fiji – an island country in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? It is made of more than 330 islands, of which 110 are inhibited and it has a population of less than a million!
At-A-Glance
Kauai was an hour’s flight away from Honolulu, we landed at night to settle into our Airbnb and stocked up on groceries to last the next 5 days! We looked forward to breathtaking hikes from the dramatic cliffs and pinnacles of its Na Pali Coast, to Waimea Canyon also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific; from the accessible Wailua’s Falls to the inaccessible Weeping Walls these trails are ranked as one of the most beautiful in the world!
Main Highlights
Garden of the Sleeping Giant: We dived straight into the local ambience – Fijian lunch and kava ceremony, followed by a dip in warm therapeutic mudpools before visiting the beautiful Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Sigatoka Sand Dunes: This is one of Fiji’s National Archaeological Heritage Site, where you hiked 30 minutes up and down the dunes. We ended our trip in Sigatoka town where we had a nice ice cream to wrap up a hot hot day!
Shark Reef Marine Reserve: This was a protected Marine Park and the diving operators are actually running a conservation project for sustainable and efficient eco-tourism. Breathtaking views across 8 species of sharks – Blacktip Reef Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Silvertip Sharks, Tawny Nurse Sharks, Sicklefin Lemon Sharks, Bull Sharks and the occasional Tiger Shark!
Tavoro Waterfalls: Flying into Taveuni, the Tavoro Waterfalls trail took us along a 3-hour hike that passes three waterfalls. The first fall is nearby at 24m high, and as we trek further into the second and third falls… they offer a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle we are used to!
Lavena Coastal Walk: It sits at the coastal boundary of the Bouma National Heritage Park and offers us an opportunity to hike as an extended family across remote beaches, rope-crossing rivers, humid rainforests, and traditional gardens.
Photo Reel
Tavoro Falls
Lavena Coastal Walk
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Shark-Reef-Marine-Reserve
Tavoro Falls
Lavena Coastal Walk
Sigatoka Sand Dunes
Garden of the Sleeping Giant
Shark-Reef-Marine-Reserve
Swing:
All smiles from the oldest little Bean
Beauty Pageant:
Stumbled upon the crowning of Ms Fiji – and I think the blue one is prettiest among them all
Crazy Trek:
With a little one in the tummy, we scurried through a muddy trail to see… these waterfalls!
Men in the household:
One step at a time across the vast dunes
Shade:
Seeking shade under the hot afternoon sun
Blast from the past:
Lots of classic cars on the roads around Sigatoka town
Ice cream:
Nothing better than a cold dessert after the sand dunes
Diversity:
Thousands of fish all around us
Close:
Some of the wild sharks approached less than 2-3 metres away from us!
Safety pole:
A little push from the unfamiliar metal keeps the sharks at bay
Throttle plane into Taveuni:
Flying into a remote island to see the “real” Fiji
Villa:
Home for the next few days for the entire family – a villa with its own gardens and opens out to the Pacific Ocean
Kayak:
Paddling the little princess around the coast
Song:
Our local host serenading the little Beans with a local folk tune
Start of the trail:
Rise and shine… everyone looking fresh
Generations apart:
How fast they will age…
Highlight at the waterfall:
Bouncing on GongGong
A new friend:
Our guide’s son – the same age as our biggest Bean – walking barefoot and leading the way!
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