Bula! Are you looking for a vacation for the whole family? Someplace that is family friendly, has great beaches and lots of cultural activities? Family Friendly Fiji it is! It is the perfect destination for families, for those who want a beach vacation, and for those who want to do more than plant themselves on the shore. There is plenty to do to satisfy your need for culture & activity. Or… just kick back in your cabana and set your clock to Fiji Time!
Kid Friendly
Fijians are so kid friendly that they have adopted the nickname “babysitters of the world.” The swimming is spectacular, the fish are friendly, there are caves and jungles to explore, and there are enough mangroves and mud pools to satisfy every get-grubby urge. And the Fijians – who famously adore children – have smiles and hugs for every little visitor. It isn’t unusual to see children in tears when the time comes to leave because they have bonded so strongly with their nannies.
Upon arrival at most resorts, your family is greeted by your nanny. Soon after initial introductions, your child is whisked away to the kids’ club. Depending on the resort, your nanny will typically entertain your child from about 8am to 9pm. It’s like summer camp for them and for you! And rest assured, their experience is well-rounded. Art, culture, music, physical activities, handicrafts, cooking classes, movies, swimming, games, the list goes on. But it’s not like you won’t be able to spend quality time with your children…everything revolves around your schedule and how you want to divvy it up.
Family Friendly Fiji
Visiting a Fijian Village
You should definitely take some excursions & mingle with the local culture. Visiting a Fijian village is a MUST. For the fashion conscious, please bear in mind that unless you are the chief, wearing a hat and sunglasses in a Fijian village is a big no-no. And ladies, you must cover your knees so bring along a sarong.
The national drink of Fiji is kava and partaking of kava with the village chief will undoubtedly be part of your village visit. So what exactly is kava? The official description: Kava or Yaqona is the unofficial national drink of Fiji. It is a mildly narcotic drink made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant (piper methysticum) with water and results in a numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue and a sense of relaxation. Basically, it is a muddy water-like substance served in coconut half shells. Its strength depends on how old the roots are. The older the roots, the stronger the brew. Should you choose to try a cup, you can opt for a small taste ‘low tide’ or go for the full cup experience ‘high tide.’ The resulting relaxed sensation may well explain the term ‘Fiji Time’, which refers to the relaxed way in which Fijians adhere to schedules.
Kava Tanoa Bowl
Which, incidentally, brings me to a point. Don’t expect everything to be punctual here. It’s “Fiji Time”. You’ll hear that a lot. This doesn’t mean excursions and transportation are on Fiji Time, but the people definitely are. They’re just laid back, genuinely warm and generous people. So relax and go with the flow.
Soft Coral Capital
Did you know that Fiji is the soft coral capital of the world? The coral reefs where I dove were very healthy… nice to see with so many reefs around the world suffering. One of the highlights was to help plant a coral garden. This is an effort to regenerate coral, which is threatened worldwide. Black Label Travel is big on sustainable travel, and I relish any chance I have to contribute to the effort. I am thrilled to say that I was the first guest of Kokomo Private Island Resort to assist in planting a coral garden!
A crab nestled in soft coral
BULA!!
If you don’t know what Bula means, just watch the short video below…
For more details, please visit the FIJI page on my website.
