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# fiji advice Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
intrepidtravellers 18:39 UTC 24 Nov 2007 | we have just passed through fiji and thought these tips may be helpful to first time travellers 1. i recommend movicol as a useful addition to your medical kit, this is mild constipation relief.....as some of those strange vegetables blocked me up awful. does anyone in fiji poo more than 2 times a month? 2. although we had 46kgs of luggage allowance we have found that this somewhat hinders your movements. we would recommend taking no more that 30kgs, as things like make-up, hair care, etc are readily available 3. it's quite inconvenient to pack up and move your belongings on a regular basis so we recommend picking one place and sticking to it. 4. in fiji if someone offers you cava it's not the nice champagne like drink u get at home so don't be offended when they bring out a bowl of dirty water. we're heading for new zealand next, any advice would be appreciated thanks |
markjoy 10:11 UTC 24 Dec 2007 | Hi intrepid traveller. 46kg! Between 2? Way too much. Even 15 each is more than you need. We tend to move around with about 10-15 each. I would imagine it was likely the Kava that blocked you up, though traveller tummy upset is the norm, and your body will adjust to dietary (and water) change after a time. This is especially true when you move to a different temperature. Most normal makeup/haircare items are available in NZ. (So is constipation relief, though I'd recommend adding a couple of teaspoons of psyllium husks to a big glass of water and drinking it, once a day, before the main meal.) There is no known danger of rabies in NZ. Occasionally there are serious dog attacks; dogs are legally required to be fenced in, or on a lead when being walked, and "dangerous breeds" are required to be muzzled. Serious dog attacks are very rare, but high profile when they happen. Shark attacks are also rare. Quite a long time since I've heard of anyone attacked in NZ waters. There are no snakes, and only two or three venomous spiders, and the venom is relatively harmless. It's unusual to get bitten, less usual still for a severe reaction to happen. There are sandflies. One of the "must sees' in NZ is Milford Sound. The scenery is stunning. So are the sandflies. (Like a little midge. Itchy as hell, if you aren't used to them. There are also mozzies here and there.) There is a risk of muggings, if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time. There have been some high profile ones. Unpleasant. The vast majority of tourists do not have this experience, of course, so it's no more dangerous than anywhere else, and a lot safer than some. Just use a bit of common sense. A peculiar version of English is widely spoken here, and the internet is widely available, except on Sundays, when the country is closed and the power goes off. (Actually, that was last century's joke. A lot of shops etc are open on Sunday; it's just another day.) The food here is, IMO, excellent. Many influences from around the world, but the predominant early settlers - after the Maori that is - were English, so that's the staple food basis. | 1