|
Climate l Population l Religion l Language l Tipping l Currency/Credit Cards l Banking l Entry Requirements l Agriculture Quarantine l Health Quarantine l Attire l Communications l Etiquette in a Fijian Village
Fiji enjoys an ideal South Sea tropical climate. It is thus a perfect holiday destination, especially for those trying to escape the severe Northern Hemisphere winters. Maximum summer temperatures average 31 C (88 F) and the mean minimum is 22 C (72 F). The winter average maximum is 29 C (84 F) and the minimum is 29 C (66 F). These are much cooler in the uplands of the interior of the large islands.
A cooling trade wind blows from the east-south-east most of the year. It usually drops to a whisper in the evening and picks up again by mid morning. Fiji has a climate ideally suited for the outdoors, the beach and surf, for light cotton dresses, barbecues & water sports.
For more details on Fiji's climate & weather forecasts, we suggest you visit the Fiji Meteorological Service Online (www.met.gov.fj)
The population of close to 825,287 is multi-racial, composed of indigenous Fijians,
Indians, Europeans, Part Europeans and Chinese. Of these, 52.8% are Fijian, 40.3% Indian & 6.9% other races.
A multiracial, multicultural nation, Fiji is represented by major religions of the world. Visitors will see Christian churches, Mosques, Sikh & Hindu temples in the towns & the countryside. The majority of Fijians are of the Wesleyan persuasion, but all the other Christian denominations are represented. Visitors are welcome at Sunday worship throughout the Fiji Islands.
Almost everyone in Fiji speaks English - as it is the official language, but the Fijian language is preserved and widely spoken in many different dialects. Almost everyone is bilingual and many Fijian terms are included in everyday English usage. It is handy to know some of the more common words and phrases, and the Fijians will be delighted to know you picked up some of their language.
Fijian pronunciation is similar to English, but with a few changes to the phonetic alphabet. Below is a brief guide that will bring you close to the correct pronunciations. The best way to learn, since there are many subtleties, is to have a Fijian instruct you and then listen closely.
Tipping is not encouraged in Fiji and it is left to the individual to determine whether to make a gratuity.
The Fijian dollar is the basic unit of currency, available in denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50. Coins: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1. There is no limit to the amount of money to be brought in. Visitors are allowed to take out currency up to the amount imported.
Major credit cards are welcomed by most hotels, restaurants, shops, rental car agencies, tours, cruises and travel agents. American Express, Diners Club, Visa, JCB International and Mastercard, are represented in Suva. American Express and VISA can replace lost credit cards and travellers cheques.
Fiji is well represented by banking groups. These include: The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ), Bank of Baroda, Habib Bank, Colonial National Bank & Westpac Banking Corporation.
All groups have head offices in Suva with branches & agencies throughout Fiji.
Normal banking hours are from 9:30am to 3:00pm Monday to Thursday and to 4:00pm on Friday. All banks are closed on Public Holidays. ANZ operates a 24-hour service at Nadi International Airport's Arrivals Concourse.
ANZ offers ATM services in Suva, Nausori, Nadi, Nadi Airport, Lautoka & Labasa. National Bank & Westpac offer EFTPOS services in Suva, Nausori, Sigatoka, Nadi, & Lautoka.
Fiji welcomes visitors & to facilitate easy entry, everything has been done to make the process as pleasant as possible. A valid passport for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay & a ticket for return or onward travel is required. Entry visas are granted on arrival for a stay of 4 months or less for nationals of Commonwealth countries.
Nationals of other countries require pre-arranged visas, which can be applied for at the nearest Fiji High Commission in their respective country. Visas may be extended for up to six months on application to the Department of Immigration in Suva, Lautoka or Nadi. It is necessary to have an onward or return ticket & sufficient funds. Those wishing to stay more than six months should consult the Department of Immigration.
For more information on the customs, visit the Fiji Customs Website: www.customs.gov.fj/site/arrivals_guide.htm
Fiji is a country that carefully guards itself against human, animal and vegetable pests and diseases. It is free of all the serious plant and animal pests and diseases and it wants to maintain this privileged state. The importation of vegetable matter, seeds or any animal product is prohibited without the relevant import permits from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and forests. Further enquiries can be made at the office of Animal Health and Production, Suva & Nadi.
Fiji is free from malaria, yellow fever and major tropical diseases that are endemic to most tropical countries. It has an effective medical system in place, although local people still believe in the efficiency of age-old herbal remedies. Fresh water, reticulated in Suva, Lautoka and the other major towns, has been treated and is safe to drink from the tap. This also applies to hotels and resorts. Some resorts use artesian water for bathing, but provide drinking water separately. If this is the case, visitors will be advised.
Visitors to Fiji should bring a light tropical wardrobe. Bathing suits, shorts, T-shirts and, as they will soon discover, "sulus" (known also throughout the Pacific as pareau, lavalava or sarong) are a must for both men and women. The wrap-around "sulu" is Fiji's most distinctive and versatile form of dress. It is women who obtain the most benefit from the "sulu". There are at least ten different ways in which it can be used, even for evening wear. Ask your resort staff for hints on tying and wearing your "sulu".
Visitors are asked to be careful not to offend local sensibilities. Wearing bikinis and ultra-brief swimming costumes is fine at the resort but not when visiting villages or shopping in town. At such times it is easy to take a sulu to use as a wrap-around so no offence is caused. Both men and women should be careful to respect local feelings.
Most hotels have direct dialling facilities. The international country IDD code for Fiji is 679. There are no area codes. Thus, when dialling any part of Fiji from overseas the procedure would be: access code (679) plus the Fiji subscriber number. Telecom Fiji Ltd provides local telephone services while Fiji International Telecommunications Ltd provides international services. Services include domestic direct dialling, and facsimile services. Internet and email services are also available. Telecom Fiji also offers paging and voice mail. Vodafone Fiji provides a GSM digital mobile communication service. Card phones are also available in urban centres and can be bought from post offices, service stations and outer islands.
Village life is central to Fijian culture. When visiting a village, it is customary to present a gift of "yaqona", which is also known as "kava". The gift, called a sevusevu, is not expensive - half a kilo costs approximately $15 - $20. It is presented to the "Turaga ni Koro", the traditional head of the village. It is usually done in the head person's house and will be attended by whoever is on hand. Pounded into powder it will be mixed with water and served. Be prepared to shake hands and answer personal questions as to where you are from, whether married and if so how many children, boys, girls etc.
It is important to dress modestly when away from the hotel and especially visiting a village. Always carry a "sulu" to cover bathing togs, shorts, dresses or halter tops. Do not wear shoes in people's houses. It is also insulting to touch someone's head. Fijian are the friendliest people in the world. Your respect for their customs and traditions will not only make you a welcome guest in their villages and homes, but add another dimension to your Fijian holiday.
|
