Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020 |

# Really scared about bures, please help? Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
helenandjohn88 19:17 UTC 16 Feb 2011 | Hi everyone, I am setting off on my first backpacking trip in 3 weeks with my boyfriend, and our first stop is Fiji. We are in Fiji for two weeks, and plan on traveling from Nadi - Suva, then on to the Lomaiviti Island Group. Whilst there, we are extremely interested in visiting Caqalai, as it seems like the perfect relaxing getaway - no fuss and no tourists for a good price. However, I am extremely arachnopobic, and am very stressed at the idea of sleeping in a bure/dorm crawling with huge spiders. I am seriously considering not going to this island based on the blog posts and reviews that mention the spiders here. I know that it is obviously not just Caqalai that has spiders in Fiji, but it is the bures that concern me! And I also know this seems like a very trivial problem, and many people just tell me to "not worry, they can't hurt you" etc. etc. but this doesn't work. I don't want my phobia to hold me back, but I think it might if I can't get valid reassurance from someone =( Basically, what I'm asking is: has anyone been to Caqalai and/or slept in a thatched bure like this? Were there many spiders? Can you recommend anything at all that may help? I honestly don't know what I'm going to do, I'm terrified. Thanks, Helen x |
peter_n_margaret 19:47 UTC 16 Feb 2011 | We live in Fiji at the moment and we have never seen a spider bigger than 6mm across yet....still hoping.... :-) Their web site says.... Beds have mosquito nets, ..... No spider is going to get through a mosquito net. Just enjoy.... Cheers, Peter | 1
h2ooh 20:46 UTC 16 Feb 2011 | "No spider is going to get through a mosquito net" No... but they might lift it to crawl under it... or just carry it off like the mosquitoes do in Alaska.. ;-) | 2
childchi 02:29 UTC 17 Feb 2011 | Hi Helen, I live in Fiji. I have a fear of toads and my sister have a fear of lizards, As a child we slept under mosquito nets. As an adult I use coils for mosquitos and no lizard, spiders , or roaches ever bother me. No hugh spiders here except the little ones that make webs in your house. None of these are poisonious. My phobia has lessened with age. When I go visit my children in Australia they have every thing poisonious. You'll be fine, and they do not crawl under your net . You will be fine believe me. The Lomaivite groups is lovely. Enjoy your stay. | 3
watsoff 20:43 UTC 17 Feb 2011 | I'm also highly arachnophobic but I've never even seen a spider in Fiji in all of my 16 stays there. I've stayed in villages with no mossie nets, no problem. I know they have spiders, as does every other country in the world, but they don't seem to make many public appearances, not while I'm there anyway. Just go and enjoy yourself. | 4
peter_n_margaret 07:31 UTC 18 Feb 2011 | "No... but they might lift it to crawl under it... or just carry it off like the mosquitoes do in Alaska.. ;-) " Crap Cheers, Peter Edited by: Peter_n_Margaret | 5
helenandjohn88 23:13 UTC 18 Feb 2011 | Thanks everyone for your replies, I really appreciate the reassurance! I've given it some thought and have decided to not let my fear stop me from having such a wonderful experience - I've been told i would definitely regret it! Again, thank you for giving me your advice and experiences. Helen | 6
h2ooh 00:57 UTC 07 Apr 2011 | childchi... be careful of using mosquito coils over an extended period of time. They can cause respiratory problems like emphysema. I know of cases in Alaska where people have had severe problems that were traced to using "Pic" coils over a period of years. They were wildlife biologists and conservation workers that spent a lot of time in the bush in Alaska. | 7