There are many large hotels and resorts to stay at in Fiji but when your budget is a little thin try flashpacking!
I was lucky enough to stay for five nights in a Beach front Bure at Mango Bay Resort just out of Sigatoka on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. The region is called the Coral Coast and it’s one of Viti Levu’s main tourism areas. The Shangri-La and the Warwick resorts were just up the road. Mango Bay Resort is what is known as a flashpacker’s resort.
What is Flashpacking?
What is flashpacking I hear you ask? Well my definition of flashpacking is that it is similar to backpacking just with a slighter bigger budget and staying in single or double rooms instead of dorms. It would be somewhere between backpacker dorms and resorts I guess. In my case it was a reasonably priced bure on the beach with its own private outdoor bathroom.
I count myself very lucky to have been able to fall asleep each night with the sound of the waves against the shore and actually laying my head on the pillow and being able to see those waves coming in toward me. It was absolute bliss!
Activities
There were quite a few activities available such as snorkelling, stand up paddling, kayaking, boating and swimming. One day I went with a group to a school on one of the nearby islands. It was a lovely day and the kids were just great. They were quite impressed with my Aussie Rules Football kick. They sang and danced for us too.
On another day I did a cooking class with one of the Fijian guys who worked at Mango Bay Resort. We cooked fish in coconut milk which was delicious. The Fijians call the coconut tree the tree of life because all parts are used. The trunk is used to make furniture and houses and the coconuts are used to drink and for cooking.
Kava
One night I tried Kava which was an interesting experience! Kava is a mildly narcotic drink which is made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant with water. It just mainly made my throat a bit numb. A couple of South Americans, myself and some local lads bonded while we drank from a communal bowl. It is part of Fijian tradition and is an acquired taste.
The last thing I would like to mention about Fiji is the temperature of the water. It is so warm! If you live in a country where the sea temperature is cold you won’t believe how great it is to swim in the lovely warm water of Fiji. So go ahead and plan your flashpacking holiday in Fiji. You might just be surprised that you can afford that trip!