18 days in Fiji (#11) Robinson Crusoe Island tour

Bula! Hello and welcome to my series on Fiji. This is the 11th post and it's going to be about the last of the five full day cruises that we went on during our 18 days in Fiji.

I hope that what I share will be helpful to you in making wiser choices for a smoother more enjoyable vacation and helpful in getting better value for your bucks.

Visit to Vusama Village
 (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Robinson Crusoe Island Combo Tour 

We had not actually planned to go on this tour. But because I had won a dance competition at the resort that we were staying at which gave us a good discount, we decided to splurge on this tour for the rest of the family.

And boy! I'm glad we did because it was jam packed with cultural sights and experiences plus a good feed. This tour is actually a combination of their day and night tour.

First off, we were picked up from our resort on Denarau Island and taken to the jetty meeting point some 30 minutes drive away.

Boat ride
 (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We then went by two boats to Vusama Village. This is a genuine living and breathing Fijian village. As such we had to respect their customs. Women were instructed to wear clothes that covered their shoulders and skirts that extended to their knees. A long sarong was acceptable.

The village was organised around a central field with homes built around its edges.

A home on Vusama Village
 (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We were welcomed to the village with singing and taken to their community hall where we were welcomed with a kava ceremony.

Welcome in song by village women
  (Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Preparing the kava for the ceremony
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

This was followed by a tour of the village including a visit to their Methodist church that was built with money from the sale of coconuts by the villagers. This had taken them several years to achieve.

At the Methodist church
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We were shown the chief's home where we met in the 'meeting lounge'. There our guide told us many interesting things about their village and answered our questions. And yes, they do have TV and internet in the village.

The chief's burre 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

After that we were given the opportunity to purchase souvenirs at a reasonable price.

Local handicrafts and carvings for sale 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Fresh coconuts were also available for sale. After this lady expertly opened a coconut, the young boy in the green t-shirt had a go at opening one too. He was not as proficient as the lady, but his elders encouraged him to have a go. There is only one way to master a skill.

This is the way to cut a coconut
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Freshness epitomised 
(Photo by Maria and copyright Maria Ngo)

When that part of the tour was completed we were led back to the river bank. There the staff hauled up some mud crabs that would form part of our 'afternoon tea' before we took another boat ride, this time to Robinson Crusoe Island.

The welcoming party to Robinson Crusoe Island 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Welcome to Robinson Crusoe Island 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Robinson Crusoe island is about 25 acres. By the time we arrive, it's time for lunch.

Instructions and welcome to the island 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A well catered buffet lunch 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Lunch was buffet style with plenty to choose from with a range of vegetables, meat and fish and fruit. Tea and coffee is free flowing while water, soft drinks and other alcoholic beverages have to be purchased. If you are like us, if we had known that fresh water was not included, we would have brought our own supply.

No complaints here 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Staying healthy with tropical fruit 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Over lunch we were entertained to a Fijian meke (cultural dances and performance).

A Fijian meke 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A slow meke 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

For those who want to go snorkelling, there is a short boat ride involved to get to where the coral and fish are. You won't see much from the beach but sea weed and some not very colourful fish.

Kayaks are available for you to use any time you like.

In the afternoon there was a hermit crab race and medicine walk.

A medicine walk is basically a guided walk of plants with medicinal properties that the locals have relied on for generations to treat ulcers, tooth aches, cuts, wounds, insect bites, coughs etc. Some of these are taken from the bark and others from the leaves, fruit or root. Sometimes the remedy is drunk and other times it is applied like a poultice.

Local eye infection treatment 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

We did visit an ancient pottery site but unfortunately for us, that day was the potter's day off, so we didn't see that.

While all that was going on, the staff was busy cooking up the mud crab as well as preparing our lovo feast. It was the most beautifully flavoured curried crab - I think she'd have given the contestants on Master Chef a good run for their money.

Mud crab curry cooked over hot coals with fresh ingredients 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Served in a coconut husk 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

For those who wish to purchase more souvenirs, you can do so around this time. With hindsight, I should have purchased a dolphin or shark carving then. It was beautifully crafted and quite a reasonable price. But then I might have had to bring another bag with me.

Local carvings 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A little before dinner time we were treated to a fire walk and the opening of the lovo feast.

A lovo 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Uncovering the lovo  
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Walking on hot coals 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The hot coals 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The lovo is like a New Zealand hangi where the food is cooked in a pit oven in the ground with super heated stones. The food that evening all had a smoky flavour.

A delicious Fijian dinner 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The evening party joins us just before dinner and is welcomed like us with singing to the island and followed by a kava ceremony.

The evening party joins us 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

There is another high energy meke in the evening followed by spectacular fire dancing.

Evening performance 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

High energy evening performance 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

The hut housing the toilet and showers are kept very clean and continuously being swept up. If you are here for the full day, you might like to consider bringing some toiletries and a towel with you for the shower if you like freshening up before dinner.

The shower block 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

After the entertainment we return the way we came. The river cruise in the day time is rather different at night in the rain. It added to our sense of adventure and we arrive safely at the jetty we departed from earlier in the morning.

We are taken back to our accommodation in comfortable coaches - tired, happy and most satisfied with the many memories and experiences that we'd acquired.

I was most impressed with the hard working cheerful talented and energetic staff who had looked after and entertained us so well the whole day.

If I had to rate the tour, I would have given it a 5 out of 5 stars. We contributed to their staff appreciation fund quite willingly. They more than deserved it.

I felt at the end of this tour that I had fully experienced a kava ceremony (two in fact) and was full bottle with Fijian cultural performances.

Tips and advice 

So, if you get an opportunity to participate in their dance competition at your resort, I'd encourage you to do so. You never know if you might just win a prize for a discounted tour ticket. (I was glad for all the zumba classes that I'd been taking!)

This combo tour is rather full on - if you want to participate in all that they have to offer. But if you just want to chill out in the hammock or rest in the shade all afternoon, that's also an alternative.

Swinging on a hammock
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Shaded lounges by the beach  
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

If you intend to stay hydrated, consider bringing some bottled water with you (although there is tea/coffee running all day). Sun screen and insect repellant is always recommended but we didn't see or hear any mosquitoes the whole time we were there.

As mentioned, there are shower facilities. Bring what you need to be comfortable.

Speaking of comfortable, I was glad I had thought to pack a raincoat. This came in useful on our return trip. December is known for its tropical thunderstorms. And in fact, it also rained in the afternoon - almost right after the curried crabs were served.

This cruise only operates on two days of the week. This was one cruise that we had not considered while we were home so we had not booked it earlier. Knowing what I know now, I'd have checked the on-line cost before departing.

If you're not in the habit of tucking a spoon into your day bag, if you plan to purchase a fresh coconut, bring a spoon.

Our cheeky medicine walk guide cum performer 
(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Thank you and vinaka for reading. Next post will be about our time on Mantaray Island Resort. I hope you'll join me there.

Vinaka!(Photo by and copyright Maria Ngo)

18 days in Fiji (#7) Bula! Music, fire and welcome!

Bula! Hello and welcome! After spending 18 days in Fiji, a bit of it does rub off on you.

Frangipani 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

Thanks for popping by on my 7th post now on my series on Fiji. The aim of this series is to help you have a smoother more enjoyable holiday, be less stressed and make wiser decisions that could save you money and keep you safer. (For those who missed out on my post on marine dangers, you can check it out here.)

My post today is a brief introduction to some aspects of the Fijian language and culture that you can expect to encounter.

Music, fire and welcome! 

I'd been told that Fijians are a very friendly people. Well, I had no idea how friendly and welcoming they were because my very first encounter was a very pleasant surprise.

Right in the immigration customs hall in Nadi International Airport, even before I'd collected my luggage, we were greeted by a trio of singing Fijian men dressed in their sulu complete with white frangipanis behind their ears.

They were such a welcome sight and sound to my sleep deprived brain and body as we stepped off our 5 hour flight shortly after 6 a.m. that morning.

I was not sure if I was allowed to take photos, so, my apologies that this photo isn't the clearest one as I tried to take it surreptitiously. I tried not to stare but I could not take my eyes off this rather unusual welcome to the country. (Perhaps you'll take a better one and share it with me. *wink*) So right there and then was my introduction to the role that music played in their culture.

Welcome to Fiji! 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo) 

I was to encounter their deep appreciation of music and the profound way in which it was used to capture their history and preserve it through role play and story-telling over and over and over again in the coming days.

Music was used to recount this people's journey from a land far away and their delight in a good catch of fish and even battles fought. There is even one about the boogey man and what happens to misbehaving children.

The guitar and ukele appear to be the main preferred instruments. I have no doubt that their transportability as well as tonal qualities that match the human voice so perfectly, have something to do with it.

Our first brush with the Fijian welcome was continued with more upon arrival at the resort we were staying in.

Wyndham serenade 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

This was soon to become a key feature of the day cruises/trips and another resort where we stayed for 4 nights. (By the way, I will write a more detailed account of these in future posts, so keep coming back.)

The crew on board PJ's fishing, snorkeling and sailing adventures included some contemporary and other well loved country western and pop classics. The stringed instruments were accompanied by skillful drumming with a plastic bucket and worn out snorkel.

Musical soiree with PJ's Fiji fishing, snorkeling and sailing adventures
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

A musical Bula welcome! 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

In Port Denarau, in the evening, we were treated to more free public performances with music and fire dancing. The fire dancing is in the central 'hub' of the shopping centre in Port Denarau while the restaurants tended to face the water. So you can't dine and watch the performances.

I was quite surprised at the length of this free musical performance and fire dancing. If I had known earlier about where the performance was going to take place, I would have timed our meal better to take advantage of this.

Dinner at Port Denarau 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Fire dancing 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

Bula! Vinaka! 

Now, don't be taken aback if someone suddenly calls out loudly to you, 'Bula!' It's just a very enthusiastic Hello and/or Welcome!

Bula! is pronounced 'Mboo-lah!' although the 'm' is almost imperceptible, you could for all accounts get away with just saying 'Boo lah'.

This phrase is used morning, noon and night.

If you want to be more formal, you could say 'Ni sa yadra' (pronounced Nee sah yan drah) for Good Morning, and 'Ni sa Bula' (Nee sah mboo lah) for Good afternoon or Good evening. But generally, Bula covers just about every situation.

If you notice in the above, 'yadra', the 'd' is pronounced with an 'n' before it. Such that Nadi is actually pronounced as Nahn-dee. 

The letter 'a' is pronounced like in 'ah' rather than 'ay'.

Another phrase that you'll hear a lot of is Vinaka! (Vee naka). This means, Thank you.

Another opportunity to practice saying Vinaka 
(Photo taken by and copyright Maria Ngo)

And if you wanted to say, Thank you very much, you would say 'Vinaka vaka levu' (Vee naka vaka ley voo). 

There are lots of other phrases that you could learn (which have been well documented elsewhere), but, with a cheery Bula! and grateful Vinaka, you'll soon feel quite at home among the Fijians. This is because while you'll hear them conversing with one another in a Fijian dialect, if you speak English, you'll have no problems being understood. English is after all one of the three official languages spoken in Fiji. The other two being Bauan Fijian and Hindi. There are many Fijian dialects but Bauan is the official one.

So with that, I shall bid you Vinaka for reading my post, and Vinaka Vaka Levu in anticipation of liking my blog page and sharing it.

Catch you soon at my next post.

Vinaka Vaka Levu! 
(Copyright Maria Ngo)