Fiji Visit Getting Close: Remaining Questions
Jan 16th, 2012, 05:38 AM
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Fiji Visit Getting Close: Remaining Questions
We're spending 5 days in Fiji on our return trip from AUS/NZ to the US. A little R & R! We have our accormmodations booked at the Outrigger on the Lagoon. Questions with which we'd appreciate some help:
-Is it preferable to book a transport from the airport, and rent a car at the hotel for a couple of days for island exploration. . .or just rent a car at the airport for the whole time?
-If anyone is familiar with the Outrigger Hotel, do you know if there are restaurants to which we can easily walk? This may relate to the rental car question above.
-We're hoping to take a trip to an "out" island or two. Any ideas?
Thanks, in advance, to all responses and any suggestions for our enjoyment of Fiji.
-Is it preferable to book a transport from the airport, and rent a car at the hotel for a couple of days for island exploration. . .or just rent a car at the airport for the whole time?
-If anyone is familiar with the Outrigger Hotel, do you know if there are restaurants to which we can easily walk? This may relate to the rental car question above.
-We're hoping to take a trip to an "out" island or two. Any ideas?
Thanks, in advance, to all responses and any suggestions for our enjoyment of Fiji.
Jan 28th, 2012, 08:04 PM
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Sorry I don't know the Outrigger sorry, we stay on Denaru Island. We have never hired a car. We negotiate a taxi to take you ALL day to whatever sights you want to see. I think it is was about $60 or $70 Fijian all day including petrol. Each time you get in to a cab they ask you what you are doing and offer to take you. With the driving done, you can fully concentrate on the sights you are seeing.
Jan 29th, 2012, 06:23 PM
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I know the area and possibly the Hotel from 30 years ago. It's on the SOUTH coast and exposed to bad weather, tidal waves etc. And you will probably get rain most days. It's isolated. If you're sensible you won't be going into town shopping. Take a book and sit round the pool.
Make sure you've pre-booked your airport to hotel transfers with a good company. Take the Hotel limo.
We took a taxi from the Airport to Denarau. This car had broken springs, no brakes and whatever... it was a frightening trip. There don't appear to be regulations for cars. The roads are rough and dusty,with just a bit of tar-seal.
You will travel through rural Fiji and see poverty. You'll look rich. When tourists drive round sightseeing it's uncomfortable. They will watch you.
Most tourists stay on Denarau Island (9 hotels) that has a Western shopping centre. It's the gateway to the outter Islands. Tourists eat at their Hotels or at Port Denarua Shopping Centre. But the hotels provide everything. Your Hotel is isolated so will provide everything including your entertainment.
A shuttle bus goes round the hotels and take tourists to the wharf. Each Island has a different character. What you pay is what you get.
Castaway Island is wonderful and an amazing place, great for snorkling.
Treasure Island is small and run down. I stayed a week last year and enjoyed my stay because of its basic roughness - almost camping. The beach was a mess, flies round the food, rooms are rundown, but the pool is fabulous. I wouldn't rush back.. but it was a great escape from our Western world.
Be sensible and keep safe.
Make sure you've pre-booked your airport to hotel transfers with a good company. Take the Hotel limo.
We took a taxi from the Airport to Denarau. This car had broken springs, no brakes and whatever... it was a frightening trip. There don't appear to be regulations for cars. The roads are rough and dusty,with just a bit of tar-seal.
You will travel through rural Fiji and see poverty. You'll look rich. When tourists drive round sightseeing it's uncomfortable. They will watch you.
Most tourists stay on Denarau Island (9 hotels) that has a Western shopping centre. It's the gateway to the outter Islands. Tourists eat at their Hotels or at Port Denarua Shopping Centre. But the hotels provide everything. Your Hotel is isolated so will provide everything including your entertainment.
A shuttle bus goes round the hotels and take tourists to the wharf. Each Island has a different character. What you pay is what you get.
Castaway Island is wonderful and an amazing place, great for snorkling.
Treasure Island is small and run down. I stayed a week last year and enjoyed my stay because of its basic roughness - almost camping. The beach was a mess, flies round the food, rooms are rundown, but the pool is fabulous. I wouldn't rush back.. but it was a great escape from our Western world.
Be sensible and keep safe.
Jan 30th, 2012, 06:02 AM
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We appreciate the helpful responses.
OldKiwiGal, are you suggesting that rather than just catching a taxi from the airport to our hotel, we should pre-book a "transport", like Rosie's? Are we more assured of a safer vehicle?
MissGreen, we like the idea of hiring a taxi for the day. Thanks for the suggestion.
OldKiwiGal, are you suggesting that rather than just catching a taxi from the airport to our hotel, we should pre-book a "transport", like Rosie's? Are we more assured of a safer vehicle?
MissGreen, we like the idea of hiring a taxi for the day. Thanks for the suggestion.
Jan 31st, 2012, 01:10 AM
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Tomarkot I strongly suggest you use a Company such as Roies.
I have no links to travel industry or Fiji. I just love Fiji and been there many times - I aim to go every year. The people are lovely, but they don't understand your culture. They say yes to everything, but don't understand what you're saying. You're assuming you'll be safe in a taxi, because in your country there are rules surrounding taxis. You might get a good car, that is the gamble. The Fijian people walk everywhere, they usually live in huts with dirt floors. They're trained to work in the Service Industry; and they do a wonderful job. Most of the businesses have metal doors and bars over the frontages. Your Hotel is a good distance from the Airport.... it looks like a redevelopment on where I stayed in 1978. Your drive will probably take 45 minutes or more, over bumpy roads. I haven't been that way for several years.
The Fiji Resorts are fantastic and provide everything. You're going on holiday. Roies is well known in every Fiji Resort - there are two major transfer companies, both are good. They welcome you and get you to your hotel. Usually they create a commentary as they drive along...just listen and laugh. Don't panic and wonder what you've done... once you arrive at your Resort everything will be just fine. You'll do enough sightseeing on your journey to the Resort. The Resort will have paddle boats, snorkles and whatever else they have nearby to entertain you. Back in 1978 we had Frog and Casci racing! Real Frogs, real Cascis...after all the Cocktails I drank I thought it was fantastic!
Recently I got out of the pool when I was hungry, thinking I'd been about an hour. It had been over four hours - whew! talk about sunburnt. You will have a grand relaxing time in Fiji...but do things the Fiji way.
I have no links to travel industry or Fiji. I just love Fiji and been there many times - I aim to go every year. The people are lovely, but they don't understand your culture. They say yes to everything, but don't understand what you're saying. You're assuming you'll be safe in a taxi, because in your country there are rules surrounding taxis. You might get a good car, that is the gamble. The Fijian people walk everywhere, they usually live in huts with dirt floors. They're trained to work in the Service Industry; and they do a wonderful job. Most of the businesses have metal doors and bars over the frontages. Your Hotel is a good distance from the Airport.... it looks like a redevelopment on where I stayed in 1978. Your drive will probably take 45 minutes or more, over bumpy roads. I haven't been that way for several years.
The Fiji Resorts are fantastic and provide everything. You're going on holiday. Roies is well known in every Fiji Resort - there are two major transfer companies, both are good. They welcome you and get you to your hotel. Usually they create a commentary as they drive along...just listen and laugh. Don't panic and wonder what you've done... once you arrive at your Resort everything will be just fine. You'll do enough sightseeing on your journey to the Resort. The Resort will have paddle boats, snorkles and whatever else they have nearby to entertain you. Back in 1978 we had Frog and Casci racing! Real Frogs, real Cascis...after all the Cocktails I drank I thought it was fantastic!
Recently I got out of the pool when I was hungry, thinking I'd been about an hour. It had been over four hours - whew! talk about sunburnt. You will have a grand relaxing time in Fiji...but do things the Fiji way.
Jan 31st, 2012, 05:25 AM
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OldKiwiGal, thanks so much for your input. We've had a more difficult time getting info about Fiji than other travel destinations.
Have you heard about the recent spate of really bad weather? Flooding, landslides. Several deaths. Farm fields all flooded. Apparently, the airport has been closed. . .on and off. Some roads are washed away. We're wondering about how it'll be to "vacation" there in early March. Do you have a good contact site regarding Fiji? We've gotten Fijian newspapers on-line, but other than what is stated above, they're not too helpful. Yesterday we e-mailed the Outrigger Hotel where we're staying, but so far have received no response. We're guessing that it's not to their advantage to discourage visitors.
If you have any ideas, we'd appreciate. Thanks!!!
Have you heard about the recent spate of really bad weather? Flooding, landslides. Several deaths. Farm fields all flooded. Apparently, the airport has been closed. . .on and off. Some roads are washed away. We're wondering about how it'll be to "vacation" there in early March. Do you have a good contact site regarding Fiji? We've gotten Fijian newspapers on-line, but other than what is stated above, they're not too helpful. Yesterday we e-mailed the Outrigger Hotel where we're staying, but so far have received no response. We're guessing that it's not to their advantage to discourage visitors.
If you have any ideas, we'd appreciate. Thanks!!!
Jan 31st, 2012, 11:56 AM
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Media reports on FIJI are always anti-Fiji.
Yes there is flooding, and the locals will be hurting. It will be there biggist News all year. The TV pictures show the same places that get regular flooding. This flooding is near Nadi and will be causing them serious problems on the road - once the waters go down, the hot sun comes out, they'll have a big mess. You're going to the South of the Island. It's important to Fiji to keep the Resorts running... each Resorts is a little town. You might take another route...or travel by boat, or whatever.
The gardeners will be working long hours to make your place look perfect. If people stay away..the Resort will be empty and the staff will look after you like little treasures.
I have friend who went to Fiji during the Military Koo, Just them an one other couple danced and ate all the food; they had a wonderful time and so much attention from the staff. They never saw any military stuff. These things do happen, but very little is of the scale we call News worthy...mostly created especailly for the TV Camera. The Airport was closed - it probably did close - doesn't every airport close due to bad wind, earthquakes whatever...but the media blow the Fiji stories out of size.
Yes there is flooding, and the locals will be hurting. It will be there biggist News all year. The TV pictures show the same places that get regular flooding. This flooding is near Nadi and will be causing them serious problems on the road - once the waters go down, the hot sun comes out, they'll have a big mess. You're going to the South of the Island. It's important to Fiji to keep the Resorts running... each Resorts is a little town. You might take another route...or travel by boat, or whatever.
The gardeners will be working long hours to make your place look perfect. If people stay away..the Resort will be empty and the staff will look after you like little treasures.
I have friend who went to Fiji during the Military Koo, Just them an one other couple danced and ate all the food; they had a wonderful time and so much attention from the staff. They never saw any military stuff. These things do happen, but very little is of the scale we call News worthy...mostly created especailly for the TV Camera. The Airport was closed - it probably did close - doesn't every airport close due to bad wind, earthquakes whatever...but the media blow the Fiji stories out of size.
Feb 1st, 2012, 05:19 PM
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A couple of quick points which may help you out with the Outrigger resort. We stayed there a few years back. It is a well set up and run resort, large pool and near by activities. Make sure you go to the Kula Bird Park which is next door (Walking distance). The lagoon near the resort is really shallow and only really swimable at high tide. You can take trips out to outer reefs from the resrt though. Their is also a preaviling wind there that does not seem to diminish. You dont notice iot so much in the resort but you do on the beach.
As far as transport is concerned. It is easier to get a coach/bus to the resort (Rosies). Once there if you want to do a little local travelling the local bus service to Sigatoka has a stop outside the front of the resort. For rental cars I would not hire at the resort but get one from Korotogo (The beach strip to the side of the resort. Way cheaper). I would not recommend driving at night, cows have a habit of lying on the tarseal, plus there are a lot of pedestrians who walk in the road. Daytime is fine (So long as the roads have not been too damaged by the floods - you will be able to gauge that by the bus trip from the airport)
The same goes for eating. There are a few restaurants/cafes (Not many but a few) next to the Outrigger. Prices are a fraction of the resort and the food is varied. The Bedarra Beach Inn for example has a restaurant open in the evenings and the food is pretty good. They have a happy hour as well. However Lovo night at the resort is well worth staying there for.
As far as the news in concerned, yes there were pretty severe floods last week, but all is being cleared up now. It may take time though as infrastructure is not a strong suit for Fiji. Most of the flooding was in the west around Nadi and Lautoka, not Sigatoka which is where you are going.
As far as transport is concerned. It is easier to get a coach/bus to the resort (Rosies). Once there if you want to do a little local travelling the local bus service to Sigatoka has a stop outside the front of the resort. For rental cars I would not hire at the resort but get one from Korotogo (The beach strip to the side of the resort. Way cheaper). I would not recommend driving at night, cows have a habit of lying on the tarseal, plus there are a lot of pedestrians who walk in the road. Daytime is fine (So long as the roads have not been too damaged by the floods - you will be able to gauge that by the bus trip from the airport)
The same goes for eating. There are a few restaurants/cafes (Not many but a few) next to the Outrigger. Prices are a fraction of the resort and the food is varied. The Bedarra Beach Inn for example has a restaurant open in the evenings and the food is pretty good. They have a happy hour as well. However Lovo night at the resort is well worth staying there for.
As far as the news in concerned, yes there were pretty severe floods last week, but all is being cleared up now. It may take time though as infrastructure is not a strong suit for Fiji. Most of the flooding was in the west around Nadi and Lautoka, not Sigatoka which is where you are going.
Feb 2nd, 2012, 07:34 AM
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Kiwi_acct, thanks so much! Your information regarding the Outrigger, and Fiji in general, is very comforting to us. We had been so looking forward to this island as R & R enroute back home from OZ & NZ, but most recently have been very concerned. Your information buoys up our spirits and we'll now look forward to a lovely time there.
