I’m no authority in what places are the must-dos. But I can tell you which are the ones I went to. I’ll sprinkle in some basic information along the way and tell you about my experience. Your trip will be different than mine. But I thought I’d share what I saw.

I had never been to Fiji. And as a life goal of reaching all the countries in the world, I checked which destination I could easily reach with a flight from Sydney. And there I was.

As home to the country’s main international airport, Nadi is often the first stop to many tourists who want to access the Pacific Islands and its diverse regions. Nadi is located on Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. 

Nadi is surrounded by beautiful beaches, inhabited by friendly locals, and houses a rich culture and history.  Many are drawn by its clear waters and breathtaking views of the ocean. But the city has more to offer than being a resort paradise. And that’s what I tried to explore during my visit.

Here are five things I visited in Nadi:

The Sabeto Hot Springs and Mud Pool

Before, I’ve dipped my body in the Dead Sea. And Fiji’s mud volume (and salt concentration) has nothing compared to what the former has to offer. But the preference on experience comes down to personal taste. 

The vibe in Sabeto is a lot more relaxing. It whispers therapeutic more than screaming adventure. And that could be people’s cup of tea.

The sequence goes as follows: I got muddied up, literally. Then, I got into the mud pool. And as if the scorching heat of the Pacific wasn’t enough, I dipped myself in natural geothermal water from the hot springs. 

I made the description sound a bit heated. And to an extent, the body would agree. But I did feel a bit of cleansing and rejuvenation.  Maybe that is all panacea and an illusion I’ve created in my head? Whatever I was on, what’s important is to be in the right headspace when all this warmth is absorbed by the body.

I didn’t opt for a massage. I haven’t had one since my surgery a couple of months ago. But that option is also on the table. They assured me the services are great and that I’ll get pampered and soaked in coconut oil. I cannot make a comment. So I’ll leave it for you to judge. 

The Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple

What would a country be if there were no religious structures to admire? While the country of Fiji is predominantly Christian (a little over 60%), the population has good Hindu representation (a little less than 30%).

The temple is one of the largest of its kind in this part of the hemisphere. It is dedicated to Murugan, the Hindu God of War and Victory. He is also the son of a more well-known entity, Shiva.

The vibrant colours of the temple immediately pop. And upon closer inspection, the carvings and the ornaments look exquisite and intricate. 

Rituals and prayers are performed on a regular basis. So if you’re lucky, you can witness firsthand how the locals practice their faith.

Word of caution – do give the place the respect it deserves. Give space for people to exercise their religious rights, no pictures inside, and wear appropriate clothing. Covers are available should you be in shorts (like I was).

The Fiji Cultural Village

From the Netherlands to Fiji, that would have taken me more than 30 hours of travel. So I made it a priority to embrace their customs and traditions. And I disregarded my own upbringing and threw my expectations out of the door. 

Is there a better way to immerse myself in a culture as rich as the Fijians’ than to pay a visit to a living museum? Reconstructed homes of village chiefs, noblemen, and ordinary tribespeople await, alongside a plethora of weapons, potteries, fishing gear, and cookware.

The best part was witnessing traditional fire-making. I’ve only seen this on television – Survivor to be exact. But I witnessed a local do it with ease and without flint! 

None of the people guiding or talking through Fijian history live in the area. No one resides there past opening hours. So that is a reminder of how real the experience is… if that’s what you’re looking for, another option would be…

Viseisei Village

Visesei Village is the oldest Fijian village. Settlement dates back to approximately 3,500 years ago. And a stop would be a great way to observed how locals live.

I was surprised. I was imagining something less modern. I attribute the expectation to my ignorance. Some modernity has caught up with the town. However, the relax and laid back vibe is consistent. Even my introductory greeting alluded to this behaviour.  

Upon arrival, a traditional kava ceremony might await you. And drinking one is inevitable. I had to turn down another round of kava as I had two intakes in a span of 24 hours. Given my lack of familiarity on the side effects of accumulating kava in the body, I had to stay prudent. 

There are traditional houses and views of the ocean. Occasional traditional performances happen. But what I should have seen coming was a constant bombardment of locals getting foreigners to buy their souvenirs. 

The Garden of the Sleeping Giant

Many botanical gardens give off a manufactured or curated vibe. And while The Garden of the Sleeping Giant isn’t exempt from those attributes, being at the foothills of the Nasouri Highlands helps ease its oneness with nature.

The entire pathway is relaxing – lily ponds, orchids, native flora, and a couple of benches to sit down on. But I decided to go off and visit the vantage point that was under construction. I underestimated the sun rays at 9 in the morning. And I was toast. 

But views of mountains are rarely this green. At least the ones I’ve seen. And that made the mini-hike exhausting but fulfilling. 

In case you’re wondering how the description of “sleeping giant” fits into the equation, I actually had to be outside of the garden and instead be on the road to see it. The mountain is shaped like a man lying down. And once I saw the nose, the belly, and the legs, I was incapable of unseeing it. 

---

The trip to Nadi happened on May 2023.