Fiji - A Nostalgic Visit

I am planning a surprise trip to Fiji for my mum, who lived and worked there in the 1950s. I am going to buy the Lonely Planet guide, because I've never been there either, but I really wanted to get a bit of info. For starters, we don't want to stay at one of the resorts. Mum used to live/work in Suva, so I'm figuring we'll use that as a base and do our exploring from there. A stupid question: is it safe there? Are there decent hotels there? Can I assume that rental cars will be available at the airport? How long does it take to drive from Nadi to Suva? Are there decent beaches in the vicinity of Suva? Any info appreciated.

Any of the Pacific islands are as safe as Sydney, or probably more so, provided you remember that their people are relatively conservative, and you keep bikinis and budgie smugglers for the resorts.
The info that reaches Australian media only focuses on the bad (and this seems to have completely died down in Fiji anyhow) - they need and want visitors, and go out of their way to look after them.
Your Mum will probably find long-lost friends who will be delighted to welcome her.

Suva is great - and unless you do something really stupid, the only realistic threat to your safety is the odd pickpocket in crowded market areas.
It has a good range of hotels, though as it is not a tourist town, no beach resorts.
Car-rentals should pose no problem to arrange.
The drive from Nadi shouldn't take longer than 4 hours.

As for the beaches... I'm afraid Fiji's best are elsewhere!

Thanks folks for the info.

1950 is sure a long trime ago. Your mum will certainly notice lots of changes for the better and for the worst.
Yes there is a lot of very decent hotels in Suva as good as anywhere in the world and yes it is safe.
If money is not a problem than talk to your travel agent about the best hotels to go to. One that comes to mind is the Holiday Inn or the Novetel. However there are no decent beaches in Suva.
If you really want to give Mum a treat the Warwick Hotel on the coral coast is fantastic. You could always go on a day trip to Suva. I personally find Suva very exhausting with lots of cars and not enough roads.Not bad for a day trip so she could visit all the old places she may remember., if they are still there. Presidents house which she will remember as the Governors house in Nasese. If you have other questions I would be happy to advise. arcole@connect.com.fj

I lived in Suva with 7 other American students for 6 months back in 2008. While we had a wonderful time in Fiji and learned so much about the Pacific and Fiji/Indo-Fijian culture we also experienced our fair share of crime. My friend's apartment was broken into and robbed during the early evening. Another female friend of mine was beat up pretty badly by a group of men and mugged in a bar. I personally did not encounter any problems but really be careful when you are walking in the city just like you would in any capital. Do not walk alone at night and take taxis whenever possible, they are very cheap. Avoid the shadier pubs and clubs on Carnavon Street at night. Most crime takes place in Suva and Nadi. Outside of the capitals it is far less of a problem.
The Holiday Inn in Suva is actually quite nice. I never stayed their myself but I frequently posed as a guest and used their lovely swimming pool which is right next to the ocean with lovely views of the volcanic mountains of Viti Levu. You will have to go to Pacific Harbour for the nearest beaches. Suva is a bit of an industrial port, so no white sand beaches to be found within the city. The beach at the Uprising Resort (Pac. Harbour) is top notch and they allow anyone to use it free of charge even if you are not a paying guest. Enjoy your visit! It should be really wonderful and exciting for your mother to return after so many years.

Koalas, I suspect if your mother worked there in the 50s, she is not likely to go to the sort of bars students frequent at night. Like most places, if you don't walk the streets at night, and take care of your personal possessions in public places, you will be fine.

" Koalas, I suspect if your mother worked there in the 50s, she is not likely to go to the sort of bars students frequent at night. "

Nor will she defraud a hotel by using their facilities while falsely posing as a guest-being older does have it's benefits.