Fiji Research
Had a look at Fiji and found this rather amusing ’10 things to know’ on traveljournals.net
10 facts about Fiji
1. Fijians are cheerful. Apart from the occasional political coup or race riot, life is relaxed and laid-back.
2. They say “Bula!” a lot. Means hello/welcome/cheers/good health/good morning/etc. The all-purpose Fijian greeting.
3. They dring kava. A mild intoxicant, looks and tastes like ditch-water, makes your mouth go numb in kind of a nice way. Makes Fijians even more cheerful.
4. Palm trees are dangerous. Watch where you sling your hammock – a coconut might fall on your head. Fijians say coconuts have eyes and choose who to fall on, and if a coconut falls on you then you are going to have really bad luck. Starting right then, presumably.
5. The climate is idyllic. There are no seasons as such – it is warm all the time, except when it is hot. Sometimes it rains.
6. Fijians like to sing. Whenever you step on or off a plane or boat, chances are some guys with guitars and loud floral shirts will sing you a cheerful song.
7. Fiji has its own time zone. Most things operate on flexible “Fiji Time”, like manana but with less sense of urgency.
8. The sea is warm. Clear, blue and calm in the lagoons with lots of colourful fish. You can hear the splashes as they chase each other about after dark. Big surf on the outer reefs to satisfy the kamikaze Aussies.
9. The mynah birds are gallus. Like noisy starlings with attitude. Applies to mynah birds everywhere, but the Fijian ones seem particularly pushy, maybe in contrast to the general laid-back atmosphere.
10. It is paradise – almost. Yer actual tropical island fantasy, apart from the mosquitos which come and whine in your ear as you doze off in your hammock. Bula, ye wee b@#$%@!
