Just Back From ...

Fiji

The isle of smiles: by Matt James

I was looking forward to Fiji. Not just because of the stunning photographs of the beaches and islands I had seen in the brochures. No, no, no; it was something a lot simpler: I just wanted to relax!! The week before I had got married and needed a well-deserved rest from organizing, socializing and worrying about how we are going to pay the credit card bills.

Arriving into Nadi airport I instantly knew that we were going to have a relaxing time: we were greeted by 4 men with guitars playing their “Bula! Bula!” welcome song handing out traditional shell lei necklaces. Why don’t we do that at our airports, I thought?

I soon wound down to “Fiji time”. I wore a permanent smile; I walked slower, and I even thought slower. My worries of how we pay the credit card bills were forgotten. I had found what I was looking for: relaxation. The Fijian people were so friendly and accommodating; you couldn’t help but smile back and shout Bula!

The next day we took a helicopter to Matamanoa Island, which lies about 30 km from the main land in the Mamanuca group of islands. Helicopters are the way to travel; not only do you get a view of Fiji from the air (which is simply stunning), but for a short while you are treated to how the other half live. Or you imagine that you are in the A-Team: “If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team."

Again, we were welcomed by beaming musicians greeting us with great gusto and shouts of Bula! It didn’t matter that it was raining at this point. And it didn’t concern me that I had managed to lose my mobile phone somewhere enroute from Sydney to Matamanoa. In fact, nothing really mattered anymore. Fiji had this affect.

We spent a wonderful 5 nights in Fiji but could have easily spent another 5. It is one of those destinations where you promise yourself that you will go back to. And we will. Although, now back to reality, I am still uncertain how we are going to pay those credit card bills.