1st Week
We have now been in Fiji for over a month already.
Stephen and I arrived in Nadi and was driven to Suva as it was quicker and cheaper than going by plane. During the two days spent in Suva we met with the Australian Volunteers International Fiji team. We were introduced to Fijian and Indo-Fijian culture by two university professors – that was really interesting and we learned a lot!
We also were treated to a historical walk around Suva, some good food and meeting other volunteers in Suva. Then it was back to Nadi (by plane this time) to visit with my parent organisation Animals Fiji. This was so important to do as we were going to based in Savusavu on a smaller island and it was great to meet the team in the head office in Nadi and see their facilities so that I had more of an idea of how the organisation operated. We stayed with Bec, another Australian who now worked for Animals Fiji (an ex-volunteer who stayed!) and her two cats in a lovely apartment a little way out of Nadi. Bec gave us a lot of useful information about staying in Fiji – thanks a heap Bec!
Then it was off to Savusavu – but not without its issues. Our most vexing one was getting our luggage there. Our luggage allowance from Brisbane to Fiji was one 30kg case plus 7 kg carryon – while that sounds a lot we were going for a year and had a few things (like nice sheets as we were warned that cotton in Fiji was quite harsh) and sharp kitchen knives among other things). We also paid for a 15 kg extra bag! This included such things as all Stephen’s snorkelling and fishing gear as well as a blow up Standup Paddle board and pump which were not light!
So the problem was that the small plane to Labasa (larger town on the island of Vanua Levu) only carried 15 kg bags. So we had to buy another bag, half the contents of our 30kg bags and then add two extra 15 kg bags – quite the procedure – but with the help of Bec, we managed to have everything get to us in Savusavu.
2nd Week
Having arrived in Savusavu, with all our luggage, we stayed in the Hot Springs Hotel, which had a beautiful view over the bay. We were accompanied by Tokasa, a member of the Australian Volunteers Fiji team, to help us acclimatise and find accommodation. She was an ex-local so she knew a lot of people, but our accommodation was found eventually my new co-worker Luisa, who knew someone that had an apartment. It was a nice place – roomy but noisy as it was in town, so easy to get to my new workplace, no car park, but at a good price. So after four days in another hotel, and not yet unpacked since we left Australia – we thought we had found ourselves a permanent spot.
However, after we unpacked and got sorted, the apartment owner asked if we could move to a bigger three-bedroom apartment (with spa) as she needed the two-bedroom one we were in for a single occupant. Of course we said yes, and proceeded to pack up and move (again). Happily we have now been here for over a week and think this will be it for the year.
3rd and 4th weeks
This has been spent mainly getting to know the place, setting up telephone and internet service – working out television (there is a free-to-air station except you have to pay for a set-top box so not really free – Stephen worked out how to get it through his iPad). We have found a place that sells reasonable wine for $13FJD per bottle ($9 AUD).
Most other items (except for fish) are around 2-3 times the price of what they are in Australia so it is a little expensive – even when you convert it back to Australian dollars! Unfortunately, withdrawing AUD from Teller machines attracts a sizable fee and a lousy exchange rate as well.
Some examples: Butter, $6.50 for 250 gms, Cheese $10 for 250 gms (just your average tasty block).
We have found that contrary to what we were told – we can get a lot of things here (albeit expensive) that we need for cooking – so that is good.
Stephen has put up some tasty fare. He has been getting fresh fish from the fishermen on Saturday mornings, however we have found out that sometimes they are there and sometimes not 😊 Fiji style.The markets are good for veges and fruit – but more on that another day.
Sorry if I have rambled.
Mary-Anne (and Stephen)
First meal Stephen cooked for me in our first apartment! Chilli crab with local rice and local garlic green bean!
Although this doesnt look special it tasted great – fish from local fishermen, steamed in ginger and garlic with chilli and lime (yes the lime flesh is quite orange).