The Blissful Country of the South Pacific: Discovering Fiji - A Paradise Perfect for Your Honeymoon!

2019.11.28 published

I Went to Fiji! ♡

When it comes to resort destinations around the world, familiar names for Japanese people include Hawaii, Guam, Bali, and the Maldives,

"Where should we go for our honeymoon?"

"I'm interested in overseas wedding ceremonies."

"I want to relax at a resort with my partner ♡"

For brides who are contemplating these thoughts, I highly recommend the paradise of Fiji in the South Pacific! ♡

What kind of image do you have of Fiji??

"The ocean looks really beautiful."

"They participated in the Rugby World Cup, right?"

"Isn't it the happiest country in the world...?"

"But I haven't seen many tourists visiting."

Most people might have similar impressions.＊

Until I was invited by the Fiji Tourism Board and experienced my first trip there, I had those impressions. However, once I visited and saw it with my own eyes,

I was truly moved by how wonderful Fiji is ♡ I definitely want to go back...!

Let me share and introduce my experiences and feelings from that time with all of you. I would be very happy if you consider Fiji for your wedding, honeymoon, or travel destination! ♡

Here are the website and Instagram of the Fiji Tourism Board＊

➡ Here is the Fiji Tourism Board's website＊

➡ Here is the Fiji Tourism Board's Instagram＊

【Basic Information ①】 So, what kind of country is Fiji? What language is spoken?

Fiji is a republic consisting of 333 islands in the South Pacific. The capital city is Suva.

Its total area is slightly larger than the four prefectures of Shikoku! The population is about 850,000.

Fiji belongs to the Oceania region alongside Australia and New Zealand, and while people speak Fijian and Hindi, the official language is English＊

(It was formerly a British colony.)

I found that the Fijian people's English is very easy to understand, and their pronunciation is beautiful. Many people speak slowly, too.

It is popular as a destination for language study, and I had no problem communicating in English.♩

【Basic Information ②】 What about travel time and time difference?

One of the concerns when traveling is the travel time.

From Narita Airport to Nadi Airport in Fiji, a direct flight is operated by "Fiji Airways," and it takes about 8.5 to 9 hours.

Whether 9 hours is long, short, or normal depends on the person, but what I found great is the efficiency of the flight time!

Fiji Airways operates flights twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing Narita Airport at 9 PM and arriving in Fiji at 9 AM the next day.

Since you arrive in the morning after sleeping overnight, you hardly experience jet lag! ♡

When traveling abroad, there are often cases where you arrive in the evening and it's just a matter of heading to the hotel, or arriving in the middle of the night and having nothing to do...

However, in this case, I felt no sense of wasted time, and I was thrilled that it wasn't at a half-hearted hour! ♡

You can fully enjoy sightseeing from the first day ♩

On the return trip, you depart Fiji at 2 PM and arrive back at Narita around 7 PM. You can have a leisurely morning, and after returning, if you’re in the Kanto area, you’ll have plenty of time to get home!

I appreciated Fiji Airways for considering the timing of flights for Japanese tourists! ♡

The time difference is 3 hours, with Fiji ahead. (It's 4 hours ahead during daylight saving time.)

【Basic Information ③】 What is the best time for sightseeing?

The average temperature in Fiji is 23 to 28 degrees.＊

While it may sound like a hot tropical climate, it's not at all the humid heat that makes you feel like you're suffering from heatstroke like in Japan; it's simply warm and very comfortable.

The year is divided into the dry season (May to November) and the rainy season (December to April), so the dry season is recommended for sightseeing! ♡

【Basic Information ④】 What should I wear?

Generally, wearing short-sleeved shirts or summer dresses is fine all year round. If you bring a cardigan or hoodie to wear in the morning or at night, you'll be good!＊

Since the sun is strong during the day, both men and women absolutely need sunscreen. Sunglasses and sandals for walking on the beach would also be great!

Your luggage won’t take up too much space.♩

【Basic Information ⑤】 What about currency, prices, and tipping?

Next,

The currency in Fiji is the Fijian dollar (F$). 1 Fijian dollar is approximately 50 to 60 yen, so you can convert prices in restaurants and souvenir shops by multiplying by 60.

Prices are slightly cheaper than in Japan, with a 500ml bottle of mineral water costing about 1 Fijian dollar (60 yen), although it can vary by location.

There's no tipping system like in the USA or Europe, but if you receive excellent service, a little tip is appreciated.＊

(This is a very rare commemorative note from when the Fiji national team won a gold medal in the rugby sevens at the Rio Olympics in 2016 ♡)

Now, I'll elaborate on the charm of Fiji that I felt during my visit, and the reasons I recommend it for weddings and honeymoons! ♡

The Charm of Fiji ① The People Are Amazing♡

"The people are warm."

"Everyone I met was kind."

These are sentiments often expressed in various countries and regions, but

Fiji truly embodies that warmth and boundless brightness of its people in airports, streets, and hotels.＊

The Japanese staff member of the Fiji Tourism Board, who has lived in Fiji for over 15 years, also shared, "Fijians are very good-natured, serious, and many are akin to the Japanese, which attracts me." ♡

But where does this national characteristic of kindness and the positive impressions felt by tourists come from...?

I pondered this while spending time there, and I realized that the main reason lies in their greetings.♩

In Fiji, there’s a word "bula."

This is a basic word used as a greeting at any time of the day and also for toasting, and it’s common for everyone to greet each other with "Bula!" (Really, everyone says "Bula! Bula! Bula!" ♡)

This word "bula" holds deep meanings beyond greetings, such as "life, blessing, energy, may we all be healthy, etc."

I believe this is why Fiji is such a lively, energetic, and smile-filled country; everyone is raised understanding the bula spirit from childhood.♩

The Charm of Fiji ② Traditions and Culture Remain

Fiji hasn't been completely commercialized like Hawaii or Guam, so it doesn't feel like "Although I'm on an overseas trip, I end up seeing only Japanese and Asians everywhere!" It's wonderful to be able to experience the local traditions and culture.

So it’s particularly recommended for couples looking for a honeymoon destination that's a little different! ♡

Here’s a local souvenir shop inside the hotel.

Handmade necklaces and many cute designs are available that I wanted to wear during my stay, and I ended up spending a lot of time there. ♩

For men, this kind of souvenir might be nice ♡

You should definitely try the local dish called "kokoda."

It’s a traditional home-cooked dish made of marinated tomatoes, onions, lemon, and fresh white fish in coconut milk; it has a refreshing taste and is delicious! ♡

(There’s also a valuable opportunity to have it made right in front of you at the hotel!)

Otherwise, here’s a pattern on a tablecloth!

This pattern is called "tapa," which is geometric, and there are craftsmen in Fiji who handcraft it.＊

It is used in ceremonies and celebrations, and imagining that it might be used for a wedding and family party in Fiji is quite exciting! ♡

I also got to see "meke," a traditional dance and song performance. ♩

The male meke is dynamic and full of vigor! It seems to enhance the warrior spirit before battle.

The female meke expresses welcome. Their transparent and beautiful singing voice and dance were captivating! ♡

The Charm of Fiji ③ The Food is Delicious

And many people are concerned about...?? Food! ♡

I generally had breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel restaurant, and each time it was really delicious! ♡

According to a Japanese person living there, the restaurants popular with foreigners in Fiji are usually "delicious" and "hardly ever disappointing"!＊

There are also two Japanese restaurants (Daikoku) and an izakaya (Ikkyu) near Nadi Airport, which I want to try next time. ♩

The Charm of Fiji ④ You Can Have a Legal Wedding! ♡

And! If you’re considering having a wedding in Fiji,

You can have a "legal wedding," which carries formal legal meaning within Fiji.

What is that...? I think many people might wonder.

For example, in a Japanese wedding, just having a ceremony at a venue doesn't have any legal significance in terms of marriage, right? It’s merely a ceremony to celebrate the couple. (This is called a blessing wedding.)

A "legal wedding" is a style of ceremony that follows local civil law, so your marriage is officially recorded at the local office! ♡

It will also be noted in your Japanese family registry as "marriage according to the Fiji Republic method," leaving a lifelong treasure of memories!

This is a rare system worldwide, making it the biggest appeal of a wedding in Fiji! ♡

The Charm of Fiji ⑤ The Stars Are Beautiful Because It's in the Southern Hemisphere

Finally, one of the most beautiful experiences was the view of the stars.＊

Fiji is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the night sky you see is different from that of Japan. (It seems to be upside down!)

I also felt that the stars looked closer than the ones I usually see in Japan ♡. It was such a magnificent view that I wanted to gaze at it forever.

I absolutely recommend that wedding parties after the ceremony or honeymoon dinners be scheduled for the time when the sunset and the first stars begin to appear! ♡

Definitely, visit Fiji someday! ♡

The paradise of the South Pacific, Fiji ♡

I hope at least a bit of Fiji's charm and beauty has been conveyed.

For overseas weddings, honeymoons, family trips, and solo travel, please consider taking a trip to Fiji someday! ♡

➡ Here is the Fiji Tourism Board's website＊

➡ Here is the Fiji Tourism Board's Instagram＊