FIJI - What to do ...

Hi,

My girlfriend and I are starting a 6 month trip in january 2008. We have decided to start with a week in fiji before going onto tour the north island of new zealand for a month.

Can anybody give us some idea of what they consider to be the 'must sees' of fiji?? as we only have 1 week there we want to see as much as we can and therefore thought planning some sort of route round the best bis would be a good place to start...

Thanks for your help and opinions,

Anya and Joe

If you want to "see" things as opposed to lazing on a beach, you could do a trip right around Viti Levu (the biggest island), with a side-trip to Ovalau for historical stuff.
And that would already fill your week.

For the usual beach and islands, see www.awesomefiji.com

ooh, you didn't ask, but we loved the north island of nz! had a great time traveling all around. made it as far south as rotorua & then all the way north & around. enjoy!

I agree with Laszlo---the main island is very interesting, has a lot of small towns, as well as Suva and Nadi and Lautoka. I'd stay in Suva a day or two. But pick another island, like Ovalau, for a couple of days as well, different side of Fijian life.

I'm going to hazard a guess that you are doing a "bit of everything" type trip of 6 mos. to several countries. That may sound like a long time but it will go fast especially if you spent more time in the wrong places than you'd wished. Fiji is special. Way more special than a week can provide IMHO. North Island NZ is also special, but less special than Fiji IMHO. I would suggest 3 weeks Fiji for a first visit, followed by 2 weeks in NZ North Island for a first visit... then move on. Don't rush about. Spend more time in fewer places as a rule of thumb, and if you really dig a place try to stay longer as you are there, or return another time for a longer visit. Another practical tip: Fiji is not that expensive once you are there if you are willing to economize for food, lodging and transport, while NZ is more expensive in all three. With Auzzie being even more expensive than NZ. Fiji's Visa upon arrival is for 4 mos... our 2nd trip there we spent 6 weeks and it was still too short. Naturally, with a blog handle like mine I'm biased. :>

As much as I like tropical islands, I personally found NZ more special than Fiji.

But I guess it's like comparing apples and oranges in a way.