All incoming overseas aircraft land at the only international airport in Fiji, located at Nadi (pronounced nandi) on the largest Fijian Island - Viti Levu.  Suva is the capital of Fiji and is located on the south coast, but that airport only handles local flights.  I spent a day and a half recovering from jet lag at a local resort near Nadi airport.  The lush vegetation and mountains in the center of the island of Viti Levu are my first glimpse of Fiji. Sugar Cane is a major crop on this island.

Bus service appears to be excellent on Viti Levu, and would provide a low cost way to explore this rather large island.  A typhoon had hit Fiji a few months previously, as indicated by the snapped off tops of the Palm trees along main street of Nadi.  Many travellers don't venture past Nadi - preferring to stay in one of the local resorts, and shop duty free along the Main street.  This is a shame, since they are missing many of the more beautiful parts of Fiji.

Although Fiji's education system is quite advanced, and they have universal medical care, other aspects of daily Fijian life are more primitive.  It is still common to see women washing clothes in the local rivers, and farmers' bures (houses) are still very basic one room structures located in their fields.  Some western-style housing is seen in Suva's suburbs, such as the Nausori Highlands, but it is not common outside of the major towns. Many indigenous Fijians continue to live in villages in extended communal living arrangements.

Communal living works in this country with the indigenous Fijians, mainly because there is fruit on the trees, fish in the ocean, and soil to cultivate, and Fijians who like to share the work and the rewards of this traditional lifestyle.

Lautoka is the second largest town in Fiji, and forms the industrial base for the island of Viti Levu, and most of the country.  Lautoka also has an excellent harbour, where inter-island freight and tour boats going to the neighbouring islands depart from.

Sugar mill photos used with permission - Colourview, Fotocentre Ltd., N.Z.

I took a day trip to "Treasure Island", located just off the coast near Lautoka.  This resort offers the idyllic tropical island experience, for those of us who like to just do nothing for a few days.  These type of resorts tend to be all-inclusive pricing, and usually include all sports equipment, food, drink (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), boat transportation, and sometimes excursions to neighbouring locales.

Coral Coast - the next leg of my travels, which includes the road trip Nadi to Sigatoka, as well as the Coral Coast.