Sigatoka Navala Lautoka ADVICE PLEASE

tealard2711:09 UTC08 Jan 2010

Hi.

First time posting to Thorn Tree...have read on this site before and hoping for some more great advice! I am going to Fiji at the end of February and am booked at the Octopus for 4 nights. However, I have a day or two in Nadi to spare surrounding my flights and I, being the extensive researcher, am stuck between these three options. I prefer to do it myself to save money (as opposed to booking a tour). Any advice?

Bus to Sigatoka Dunes. Hike one hour loop (is this safe for me to do as a 28 year old single female alone?) Bus into Sigatoka village. Visit Wednesday markets (Wednesday and Saturday are supposed to be the best). Take Bounty Cruise $40 cruise at 2 pm up stream to pottery village. Bus back to Nadi in evening. Concerns: accurate bus timetables (not found on internet), hiking alone, too much in one day?, can't find any information on Bounty Cruise online--anyone tried it?
Navala--read in guide books this is authentic village and experience....except no info on how to get there/back alone and again if it's safe. Is there anything else to see up there?
Lautoka--wasn't even considering this until reading the forum postings. Why is it so popular? Just sounds like a town with some markets...am I missing something?

Any advice you could give on travel, safety tips, and just the best options to spend my day would be appreciated. I also have a half day prior to flying out of Nadi, but I thought I'd just do the temple and markets in Nadi itself to be close to the city for my departure. Anything else I could squeeze in that day worth seeing?

Lots of questions! I look forward to your help. Much thanks! :)
Teal

Taimarilyn20:03 UTC08 Jan 2010

Navala is very remote and to get to it you would have to travel north through Lautoka to Ba and then into the mountains from there. I have read several reviews from people who had bad experiences trying to "go it alone" to there - I don't think you have time anyway.

Lautoka is the 2nd biggest town in Fiji and is just that, a town, but without the heavy tourist influence of Nadi. I find it interesting as you can experience more of a real Fiji there. They have the best market on the Western side of Fiji, and I like visiting the fisherman's wharf there to look at the local boats.
Sigatoka - many years since I visited the sand dunes and I think it's more organised now with a visitor's centre for information. The market in Sigatoka - very persistent sellers who will pursue you! - more so than other places in Fiji. Can't help with the cruise you are looking at. I do think that you are trying to cram too much into that one day - you haven't factored in "Fiji time".

thecellarseller05:57 UTC09 Jan 2010

check out the Sandlewood Inn! We had great service no matter the time of day or night. Bartender would pick us some Mango off the tree in the yard, cut and serve any time...in the bar with a beer!
It also has a pool. Shor t cab ride into Nadi city center !

tealard2710:45 UTC09 Jan 2010

Thanks TaiMarilyn. Your info helped; I think I will eliminate Navala from the possibilities. Still interested in Sigatoka--I know about "Fiji time", but I am ambitious and want to make the best of my one day. And I'm not sure visiting a town just for the market is the direction I want to go...I prefer to combine nature WITH a real Fiji town...

Going to check more into Lautoka though.

#2 I already have accomodation booked. Thanks.

mandja04:00 UTC10 Jan 2010

"Bus to Sigatoka Dunes. Hike one hour loop (is this safe for me to do as a 28 year old single female alone?" - yes
Travelling in Fiji (by day ) is very safe.

gillrh05:07 UTC10 Jan 2010

I spent a couple weeks in Lautoka, on a boat in the harbour. Found it to be a pleasant enough place with friendly people. The market was pretty great, though it was just that, a market. We were there for Fiji Day and they had some incredible things going on. Suspect you'd find that wherever you are in the country on that day though.

nztourist19:36 UTC22 Jan 2010

consider a village homestay

it is very safe and you will get to experience the real fiji....we stayed at Danny's Village Homestay

saki and tupo the hosts are awesome and they can take you on guided tours to waterfalls, local markets etc

nztourist19:36 UTC22 Jan 2010

consider a village homestay

it is very safe and you will get to experience the real fiji....we stayed at Danny's Village Homestay

saki and tupo the hosts are awesome and they can take you on guided tours to waterfalls, local markets etc

Sigatoka, Navala, Lautoka? ADVICE PLEASE! Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Fiji
tealard2711:09 UTC08 Jan 2010	Hi. First time posting to Thorn Tree...have read on this site before and hoping for some more great advice! I am going to Fiji at the end of February and am booked at the Octopus for 4 nights. However, I have a day or two in Nadi to spare surrounding my flights and I, being the extensive researcher, am stuck between these three options. I prefer to do it myself to save money (as opposed to booking a tour). Any advice? Bus to Sigatoka Dunes. Hike one hour loop (is this safe for me to do as a 28 year old single female alone?) Bus into Sigatoka village. Visit Wednesday markets (Wednesday and Saturday are supposed to be the best). Take Bounty Cruise $40 cruise at 2 pm up stream to pottery village. Bus back to Nadi in evening. Concerns: accurate bus timetables (not found on internet), hiking alone, too much in one day?, can't find any information on Bounty Cruise online--anyone tried it? Navala--read in guide books this is authentic village and experience....except no info on how to get there/back alone and again if it's safe. Is there anything else to see up there? Lautoka--wasn't even considering this until reading the forum postings. Why is it so popular? Just sounds like a town with some markets...am I missing something? Any advice you could give on travel, safety tips, and just the best options to spend my day would be appreciated. I also have a half day prior to flying out of Nadi, but I thought I'd just do the temple and markets in Nadi itself to be close to the city for my departure. Anything else I could squeeze in that day worth seeing? Lots of questions! I look forward to your help. Much thanks! :) Teal
Taimarilyn20:03 UTC08 Jan 2010	Navala is very remote and to get to it you would have to travel north through Lautoka to Ba and then into the mountains from there. I have read several reviews from people who had bad experiences trying to "go it alone" to there - I don't think you have time anyway. Lautoka is the 2nd biggest town in Fiji and is just that, a town, but without the heavy tourist influence of Nadi. I find it interesting as you can experience more of a real Fiji there. They have the best market on the Western side of Fiji, and I like visiting the fisherman's wharf there to look at the local boats. Sigatoka - many years since I visited the sand dunes and I think it's more organised now with a visitor's centre for information. The market in Sigatoka - very persistent sellers who will pursue you! - more so than other places in Fiji. Can't help with the cruise you are looking at. I do think that you are trying to cram too much into that one day - you haven't factored in "Fiji time".	1
thecellarseller05:57 UTC09 Jan 2010	check out the Sandlewood Inn! We had great service no matter the time of day or night. Bartender would pick us some Mango off the tree in the yard, cut and serve any time...in the bar with a beer! It also has a pool. Shor t cab ride into Nadi city center !	2
tealard2710:45 UTC09 Jan 2010	Thanks TaiMarilyn. Your info helped; I think I will eliminate Navala from the possibilities. Still interested in Sigatoka--I know about "Fiji time", but I am ambitious and want to make the best of my one day. And I'm not sure visiting a town just for the market is the direction I want to go...I prefer to combine nature WITH a real Fiji town... Going to check more into Lautoka though. #2 I already have accomodation booked. Thanks.	3
mandja04:00 UTC10 Jan 2010	"Bus to Sigatoka Dunes. Hike one hour loop (is this safe for me to do as a 28 year old single female alone?" - yes Travelling in Fiji (by day ) is very safe.	4
gillrh05:07 UTC10 Jan 2010	I spent a couple weeks in Lautoka, on a boat in the harbour. Found it to be a pleasant enough place with friendly people. The market was pretty great, though it was just that, a market. We were there for Fiji Day and they had some incredible things going on. Suspect you'd find that wherever you are in the country on that day though.	5
nztourist19:36 UTC22 Jan 2010	consider a village homestay it is very safe and you will get to experience the real fiji....we stayed at Danny's Village Homestay saki and tupo the hosts are awesome and they can take you on guided tours to waterfalls, local markets etc	6
nztourist19:36 UTC22 Jan 2010	consider a village homestay it is very safe and you will get to experience the real fiji....we stayed at Danny's Village Homestay saki and tupo the hosts are awesome and they can take you on guided tours to waterfalls, local markets etc	7

Sigatoka, Navala, Lautoka? ADVICE PLEASE!