Let the Countdown Begin! Fun Facts about Fiji

About a year ago, I moved into my current apartment and met my to-be (and now former) roommate, who was born and raised in Fiji. Before I even moved in, he and his friends invited me over to drink kava (more on that later) as he shared videos, music, and information about his homeland. Fiji sounds like a paradise, but it had always been a distant, overlooked travel destination in my mind until that night, when I was blown away by Fiji, and the island nation jumped toward the top of my bucket list.

I mean, how could it not be? (photo credit)

I mean, how could it not be? (photo credit)

So it was just my luck that when booking flights home to California for Christmas, the least expensive ones were on Fiji Airways with a layover in Nadi, on Fiji’s main island. I quickly determined that I would be able to extend that layover from a few hours to a few days, and, thus, I went from thinking I wouldn’t be able to squeeze in any new destinations for a while to planning an absolutely alluring trip to the South Pacific.

With just over two months to go until my arrival, I got in touch with Tourism Fiji to learn more about my trip ahead, and they sent back lots of interesting information about their country. Thanks to their info, plus a little Wikipedia research, here are a few fun facts about Fiji.

Fun Facts About Fiji

  • Fiji is made up of over 332 islands, with only 110 permanently inhabited, plus more than 500 islets.
  • The country is called “Viti” in the Fijian language, but Tongans referred to it as “Fisi”, and Captain James Cook anglicized that pronunciation, giving it its modern English name.
  • The original Fijians, known as the “Lapita people” after their characteristic pottery, arrived in the islands about 3500 years ago.
  • Fiji is culturally diverse, playing host to a variety of races and religions, with the majority of Fijians being Wesleyan.
  • Fiji’s national drink is called kava and is made from the root of a pepper plant and drunk from coconut shell cups. Supposedly, it numbs your muscles, although when my former roommate offered it to me, I was too surprised by its bitter taste to drink enough to experience numbness. I may have to give it another go on my trip, especially because I just learned it’s bad manners to refuse a bowl.
  • Fiji’s official languages are English, Fijian, and Fiji Hindi. (I now feel pretty ignorant for being so impressed by my former Fijian roommate’s English skills, thinking it wasn’t his native language!)
  • 10% of Fiji’s 476 indigenous plants are endemic (in other words, found nowhere else in the world).
  • Fiji’s traditional dance is called meke and looks pretty amazing:

  • Fiji gained independence from the British in 1970. This was followed by several military coups and new constitutions. They held their first democratic elections very recently, on September 17th of this year.
  • The key phrase to know in Fiji is “bula,” kind of like Hawaii’s “aloha” in that it can mean anything from hello to cheers to welcome to bless you.

I’m enamored already! See you in a few months, Fiji!



14 Responses

  1. Lew McAvoy says:

    Thank goodness your website has a comments box! I’ve been locked in the bathroom of the Rose Bowl since the last game and for some reason the only website I can access is yours. Please send help.

    • Hellew Lew,

      Apologies about your unfortunate conundrum. You’ve come to the right place, as this blog also doubles as the Official Rose Bowl Bathroom Security Blog, covering the myriad heated issues pertaining to official Rose Bowl bathroom security.

      Unfortunately, as this upcoming weekend is an away game followed by a bye week, I am currently on holiday in Nantucket and will be returning on Saturday, the 22nd of November (the 25th anniversary of Back to the Future Part II’s release!), at which point I can assist you.

      In the meanwhile, please help yourself to the box of Wheaties I have stored in the toilet roll pantry. You can find a spare key in a rock turtle (tricky key hiders, those are!) in stall 53.

      Warm regards,
      Ned

  2. Nana says:

    Sounds fabulous, and you know Tutu would have been SO envious, being a tropical island sort of guy. Can’t wait to hear all about it and see photos. I guess the CA contingent is sorry to lose a few days with you over the holidays, but this is certainly an opportunity not to be missed.

    Love you~
    Nana

    • I’m sure he would have been! I’ll be sure to give him a toast from there!

      I was hesitant to cut into my time back home, but, in the end, it seemed worth it, and I still get about 16.5 days there, longer than I’ve had in over a year!

  3. Tupou Moeofo says:

    Bula Vinaka Kirstie, many thanks for composing your blog about tropical paradise of the Fiji Islands on Nov 03rd! Jeez that was supersonic fast of you and thru e-correspondence you had it uploaded in a breeze of a second online – good one Bula Fiji Time! Wish you the best at the Adventure Expo in Sydney this weekend and do feel free to stop by the Fiji FIBA Booth in the Sydney Town Hall. Catch up again soon & Stay blessed. Tupou.

    • Thanks for your comment, Tupou, and thanks again for all your help via email! The warmth of Fijians I’ve met so far, both in person and online, make me even more eager for my trip!

  4. Olg L. says:

    Wow!!! Amazing trip you’re going to have!!! I hope there will be a lot posts with pictures! Good luck!

    http://feelthetraveling.blogspot.com

  5. Tupou Moeofo says:

    Bula Kirstie, You’re more than welcome and it was lovely having to catch up on E-note. The warmth and friendliness of the people comes naturally. You will meet & see more once you’re in Fiji. There is always something to do whilst on vacation. Enjoy Australia and catch up soon. Best regards.

  6. Tupou Moeofo says:

    I’d say it’s a God given inheritance that is shared across the islands in Fiji. Hope you’re enjoying your weekend and that you’ve visited the Adventure & Travel Expo in Sydney. You will meet up with some amazing friends from Fiji who are there right now. Have a great weekend & Regards!

  7. Tupou Moeofo says:

    That’s absolutely fabulous Kirstie! Hope you met up with the delegates from Fiji yesterday (09th November). Vinaka & have a wonderful week!

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