Fiji Islands - A Tropical Paradise

An island paradise that has a total of about 322 islands in its range and 116 of those are inhabited. The main population however lives on 2 major islands Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. The diving and snorkeling are fantastic. The islands have fringes of coral in them. The real beauty of Fiji lies in its people and its natural beauty. One finds a diversity of culture in Fiji, The people there are from various races and backgrounds. They are influenced by Melanesian, Micronesian, Indian, Chinese and Polynesian cultures. The local people are in a minority. The people of Fiji are friendly and take kindly to foreigners, probably since most of them came from other places themselves.

Fiji has a temperate climate and can be enjoyed the whole year; however May to October is the dry season, and is the best time to go. The rains are infrequent during that time and the temperatures are something to escape to, from the strong winters of the Northern Hemisphere. The chances of getting a tropical cyclone in winter is low as are the rainfall and humidity. Most years Fiji has a stable climate thanks to the large expanse of water surrounding the islands. The windward sides of the mountains of Fiji invite the most rainfall. The tropical cyclones generally come in from November to May like unwelcome guests but do not do much damage.

Lapita settlers founded the islands around 1500 B.C. The Lapitas were a coastal fishing people who turned their emphasis onto agriculture. They also headed thousands of miles to Tonga Samoa. Cannibalism was a common thing among the people there. In 1643 the first European sighted the islands of Fiji. There was an influx of missionaries in the middle 1800's when they were trying to convert the local people.

The Bouma National Heritage Park is strewn with natural beauty and has a couple of huge waterfalls. They have natural swimming pools that one can visit. The trails are a bit hairy but they have guardrails and resting points built which help the weaker traveler. The birds at Colo-I-Suva are magical in their singing and the flowers will draw you in. You can visit the museum to see an array of interesting sights of the old jewelry, cannibal utensils and musical instruments. You will also find the Chiefs whale tooth necklaces and war apparatus. The parliament house in Fiji is marvelous. It was opened in 1992. The sand dunes of Sigatoka are a natural wonder that has to be seen to be appreciated. They have been forming for thousands of years and are of a grayish color as opposed to sand dunes in Africa.

Fiji islands are beautiful to see and visit. They draw you in and do not want you to go back. The natural beauty the birds and the beaches all beckon the traveler to where it is difficult to say no to it. Fiji Islands have to be on the list for places to see before you die.