Fiji

Bula! The traditional greeting from Fiji, nexus of the Pacific and archipelago of several hundred islands. Fiji is one of several countries in the Melanesia region of the Pacific, with a distinct culture and history from the other two major regions, Polynesia and Micronesia. Most of the population live on the two major islands, and there is a heavy Indian influence following the extensive import of indentured labour in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fiji gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1970.

My trip to Fiji was not very long at only a couple of nights, as part of my return from Samoa back through Los Angeles and on to Alaska where I was living at the time. I had a full two days however, spending the first on a boat trip out to the lush tropical Mamanuca Islands, and the second exploring the biggest island of Viti Levu around the coast from Nadi, where the international airport is. I fully intend to be back sometime as there is much more to see, and it’s very well connected to other Pacific islands too.