Bula!

I spent my 30th birthday in Fiji, which made it much easier...

The Melanesians are very different from their Polynesian "cousins" and while Polynesians tend to concentrate on the coast, here many villages are in the so-called "Highlands" of Fiji islands.

The cultural mix in Fiji is very interesting, with a big Indian community, which was introduced here at the days of slavery. The people are extremely friendly and independent travel is very easy: Fiji is a lot more backpacker-friendly and surprisingly cheap if compared to Polynesia.

Even though most of the tourists spend their time on the beaches of the resorts (in Mamanuca and Yasawa you can find lots of lovely little islands), the main islands have many trails and are very interesting to explore...

After visiting Taveuni, Vanua Levu and Waya, I spent the last days in the Nausory Highlands, on the main island Viti Levu.

  Click here to read about the visit to the villages Navala and Bukuya  

  Click here for the pictures of Fiji

 

 Photos of Fiji