Fiji, December 2024
From Coastal Bliss to City Buzz
When most people think of Fiji, they imagine turquoise waters, swaying palm trees, and endless relaxation. And while we certainly got our fair share of that, our week-long adventure took us beyond the beaches and into the heart of the island — driving through villages, coastal towns, and unexpected contrasts along the way.
Cruising the Coral Coast
We landed in Nadi, where the sun was high, the air was warm, and the resorts were just as dreamy as we’d hoped. From the very start, we knew we wanted more than just the poolside view — so we hired a car and hit the road, ready to explore the main island at our own pace.
Our route took us south along the Coral Coast, first to Sigatoka, then Pacific Harbour, and onward to Suva. The first few stops were exactly what we imagined when we pictured Fiji: idyllic towns with sleepy beaches, lush greenery, and a kind of peace that made us instantly slow down. Each coastal stop offered a unique charm — from hidden beach spots to local fruit stands on the roadside.
Suva – The City That Wasn’t for Us
And then we arrived in Suva, Fiji’s capital. While it had its own energy and buzz, we quickly realised: Suva just wasn’t the city for us. It was too busy, with traffic, noise, and a pace that clashed with the relaxed rhythm we’d grown to love on the southern coast. There were some interesting sights, sure, but we didn’t linger long.
Around that time, we had a rather unexpected Airbnb experience — one that added a wild twist to the trip. Our bedroom had frogs, and in the middle of the night, Dom got bitten — possibly by one of them. That was our cue. We packed up and left that Airbnb shortly after. Definitely not the tropical wildlife encounter we had in mind.
Off the Beaten Path
From Suva, we continued our loop up toward Ba, passing through smaller towns and villages. These less busy areas offered a more local feel — fewer tourists, fewer signs, and definitely fewer places to eat. But surprisingly, that wasn’t a problem for us.
We’d already discovered that the resorts back in Nadi had everything we needed — from world-class dining to sunset cocktails on the beach. So when we wanted comfort, pampering, or a little luxury, we simply made our way back to where the holiday had started — and where it quietly peaked.
In the end, it wasn’t about choosing between luxury and adventure — it was about having a bit of both. And Fiji delivered.
