Four Days in Fiji: BYO Bestie & Mum
Home of the best drop of bottled water.
“Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”
Not every day you go to work and get paid to spend 4 days in Fiji after a quick flight, stay in a stunning resort and fly home. It was my last work trip as a short-haul cabin crew and I managed to get my hands on a trip swap. As soon as my crew web portal was updated I was messaging my Mum and Bestie “Come, come, come!!! 4 days off in Fiji, come crash my last work trip!”.
One of the perks of my job is that the company must provide a certain standard in where we stay, for example, we must have room service (food available 24/7) laundry services, comfy beds, and certain facilities. All of these standards result in 4+ star resorts and hotels.
I feel grateful every day this is my job, I have truly found my niche. I feel like when I am at work, I'm not working, I am living. They say, “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life” and that’s true.
We stayed at the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort, located 25 minutes from Nadi Airport, one of the biggest resorts on Fiji Island suited for all travellers families and friends.
We were greeted with a welcome cocktail and bottomless Fijian waters when we arrived. I opted for a twin room which costed no extra. We hopped on a golf cart, getting a small tour of the resort premises as we were driven to our rooms.
February is the wet season and whilst it rained at the resort, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, there were obvious skies and sun when we were out on the boat.
Jack and I sun-bathing on the barge at Cloud9 after jumping off the boat into the warm salty water.
Do’s, Don’t’s and Delicious Food
Alright, fellow travellers, let's talk Fiji hacks! Here's the lowdown on how to rock your island escape like a boss:
Cash Rules Everything: Sure, plastic is fantastic, but in Fiji, cash is king. Keep some Fijian dollars handy for those off-the-grid moments and when you're dealing with local vendors who prefer cold hard cash. From snagging souvenirs at the market to scoring epic island tours, having cash in your pocket ensures you're always ready for action.
Kava Craze: You haven't truly experienced Fiji until you've sipped on some Kava. This earthy drink is like their version of a social mixer, bringing people together for a good time without the hangover. Dive into a Kava ceremony, mingle with the locals, and soak up that island vibe. And if you're staying at a resort, go all-in with those bottomless drink packages—trust me, they're worth every penny.
Plug and Play: No need to stress about adapters if you're coming from Australia. Fiji's got you covered with wall sockets that match, so you can charge up your gadgets hassle-free and focus on capturing those Insta-worthy moments.
Stay Hydrated, Stay Sane: Remember, tap water in Fiji isn't your BFF. Stick to bottled water to quench your thirst and avoid any unwanted surprises. And with those Fijian sunrays packing a serious punch, lather up with sunscreen like it's nobody's business—you don't want to end up looking like a lobster on vacation, do you?
Buzz Off, Mosquitoes!: Those pesky bugs might be tiny, but they pack a mean bite. Keep them at bay with some insect repellent and cover up with long sleeves when you're venturing into the wild. Ain't nobody got time for dengue fever.
Island-Hopping Extravaganza: Fiji's main island is just the tip of the iceberg, my friends. With over 300 islands waiting to be explored, why stick to one? Get your island-hopping game on and discover hidden gems like secluded beaches, vibrant reefs, and untouched wilderness. Each island has its own vibe, so why not sample them all?
Savy Spending: I found alcohol on the island including at Airport Duty Free was much more expensive than in Australia. I packed my own alcohol to mix with my drinks on the island and saved a lot of money. Cocktails were about $30-$35 a pop, I felt like I was 18 again sneaking a flask in at the local pub but ya’ gotta do what you gotta do to survive in this cost of living crisis!
Armed with these Fiji secrets, you're all set for the adventure of a lifetime. So grab your sunscreen, and your sense of adventure, and get ready to uncover the magic of Fiji, one epic island at a time. Let's do this! 🌴🌺
When I travel, diving into local eats is a non-negotiable. So, when I hit up Fiji, I was all in for some island flavour exploration.
On our first night after a couple of cocktails from the cocktail cart in the hotel lobby, Jack, Mum (Grace), and I decided to trek it into town. We're big on strolling and soaking in the vibes, so the 30-minute walk was right up our alley.
After meandering through the streets, we stumbled upon this cozy joint boasting local grub. The air was thick with spices, and my taste buds were on high alert.
Their menu was all about veggie goodness paired with fresh seafood, roti and rice—total island vibes, right? We couldn't resist trying their lobster soup. Smoky, curry-kissed, and bursting with flavour with notes of coconut, it was like a party in my mouth.
As we slurped away, I couldn't help but think about how food brings folks together, no matter where you're from. It was more than just a meal—it was a taste of Fiji's soul.
Nadina, Fijian Authentic Restaurant.
Divin’ into Day Tours
Fiji is a big island, so big with so many other little islands, your best guide to seeing it all is booking day tours. Whilst the holiday destination screams romantic getaway, you can go to Fiji as a single person and do non-couple-like things.
I planned the itinerary for Jack and Grace as soon as my roster was published, from the research I have done I am going to guide you on how to find the best tours.
If you’re not booking your trip via a travel agent I would suggest booking your day trips/tours on the website Viator and if you sign up to Cashrewards (if you’re in Australia) you can receive up to 10% cashback each time you book.
Jack and I on the ferry over to Cloud9 (day drinking floating bar with tunes and snorkelling).
What to look for when booking your day trips?
Many of the day trips are very similar, however, to get the best value out of your tours look for these things:
Food and drinks inclusive: both of our tours included food and drinks. While Seventh Heaven and Cloud9 (floating day clubs) only provide a voucher to spend, you will find snorkelling sailboats and island trips will include a buffet lunch/dinner.
Hotel transfers: Many tours will provide hotel and resort transfers so make sure you find one that can pick you up and drop you home, Fiji taxis are not cheap.
Discounts: If you are in the travel and tourism industry most tour operators provide a discount of up to 20%, it’s worth emailing them to ask how to access this discount. (If you are cabin crew, just show your ASIC, however, these discounts are only for crew, not their companions). If you are booking multiple-day tours and trips, try and stick to the same tour operator and email them to ask if they can offer a discount for multiple-day tours.
During our snorkelling tour, the boat took us out to a sand bar where they brought over drinks for us while we stood on high sands and gasbagged.
I will go back to Fiji just for this restaurant!
On our final night, a colleague of mine recommended a Lebanese restaurant we should visit. I cannot stress the importance that, if you do go to Fiji, you HAVE to go to this restaurant and eat THE HUMMUS!!!
Byblos “A Taste of Lebanon”, located in the Radisson Blu Resort, [literally] next door to the Sheraton, serves a hummus that lives rent-free in my head.
Sadly I didn’t get any photos of the food, however, the highlights were the Mousakka, Hummus (obvs) and Chicken Shawarma Plate.
