snorkel food beach locals walks...can i have it all?

hey there,

I've been browsing through some of the posts and getting some great info.

but more specifically I'm planning a holiday- 2 or so weeks in fiji.
We have an under 2 year old...and don't want to travel to too many destinations.
i was wondering if there is a place or two that has the following features:
good snorkeling, swimming at beach, interesting walks (short walks is good)
near to local markets and other foody related things, (basically a place where local people use or live).
We are also interested in gardens (farms etc)

I think i'd like to spend a day or two in either suva or lautoka too.
and what about the interiors?...is there places that are good to visit that may have some of these features ? (well obviously not beach or snorkel)
oh and yeh we want to do it as cheap as possible...though don't mind paying more for quality and convenience.

i'll keep scouring the posts too...but if anyone can help me with there experiences, i'd greatly appreciate it .

cheers
n

Hi

Myself and my two small children are spending 5 weeks in Fiji leaving next week. For a village experience that is relatively cheap too (inland and on islands and beaches) check out fijibure.com

cheers
Julie

"near to local markets and other foody related things, (basically a place where local people use or live)"
This will more or less exclude most (small) island resorts in the Yasawas and Mamanucas. Even if the island has a settlement or two, you're not going to find markets or restaurants.

One possibility is to stay on Viti Levu, perhaps at a resort near Sigatoka. I've never stayed in this area so can't vouch for anything -- but at least you'd have the town to visit.

One other possibility I know of is to stay on Ovalau, specifically at the main town of Levuka. That will give you the town'market'foody related things. It's also possible to arrange some hiking and a homestay visit from here. For beach and snorkelling it would be a good idea to visit the nearby resort islands at Leleuvia or Caqalai.

Here is a link.

Suva would be an interesting stop if you went to Ovalau.
Lautoka doesn't have much in the way of conventional tourist attractions, but is also an interesting and genuine Fijian town. Recommended. If you stayed at Lautoka, then you are close to a national park and other homestay/traditional village arrangements.

yes...i think ovalau and a couple of days in caqelai sounds like the go for us. then some suva before or after...

cheers for the advice.

julie,
the fijian homestays look interesting also.
will be an amazing experience..esp. for your little ones

I second Ovalau also, it is well worth a visit.