Hey…discover the real Fiji

The Mole reckons that 99% of tourists that visit Fiji just get on the plane, arrive in Fiji, get transferred to their resort and hardly ever leave except on an excursion, never really getting the opporunity to taste and experience the real Fiji!

Of course, if they are visiting the fantastic Mamanuca, Yasawa or other islands, that is OK, but if you are staying on the main island, then The Mole says, give renting a car a try and discover that other Fiji.

By the way – is Fiji safe?  The most dangerous thing that could happen to you in Fiji is getting hit on the head with a coconut!

So, back to the self drive option, which could also be combined with a stay on the islands or a cruise with Blue Lagoon Cruises – www.bluelagooncruises.com  

There are sides of Fiji you will never see or discover if you don’t get out and about and the best way to do that is to rent a car.

All the major car rental companies are to be found Fiji, but you do need to book before you go as they do run short of cars and as usual with car rentals companies, it is hard to work out the detail and the best deal….. you know the kind of stuff, does the price include unlimited kilometres?  Is there a cheaper rate for long-term hire?  Does the price include local taxes?  Does the price include all the insurance you need?  Do you need to leave a deposit?  Do they put a block on your credit card? Are there extra charges for returning the vehicle to a different depot? 

All exhausting questions and how do you compare the different answers each company gives you, either on line, by phone or through your travel agent and also when you arrive in that car rental office at the airport and they say, this and that are extra, how do you know if they are already included or not?

Well there is an easy and very simple answer, by booking through Vroom Vroom Vroom, yes wierd name, but the guys at Vroom have created a web site that allows you save heaps of time because their site compares car rental prices from companies including Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Budget and Europcar and in Australia alone they have negotiated rental deals in 240 locations including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Perth, Adelaide, Gold Coast plus many more, plus Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the UK and of course, Fiji!

For more information visit: www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au

The booking process is so simple and all Vroom’s rates include GST for domestic rental, vehicle registration fees, basic insurance , with more information available in the straight forward terms and conditions after selecting a vehicle to book, unlimited kilometres unless otherwise specifically stated, vehicle recovery fees, allowing additional authorised drivers , airport tax when applicable, one way fees when applicable………..basically no hidden fees!   The only thing not included as this can vary by location is any age surcharges for drivers under 25.

What The Mole also liked about Vroom is that the bookings process is so easy and the really big plus is that they do not take your credit card number on line, so really safe and you are not paying for your vehicle months before you need it.  The time you pay is when you pick up the car.  In fact the process was so simple that I had actually booked my car in Fiji before I realised it.

So, back to Fiji, the car I booked with Vroom was actually with Budget and when I compared different companies, I managed to save heaps because most companies charged a drop off fee because I was picking up in one location and dropping off in another….not Vroom though!

So, once you have decided to go self drive in Fiji, what do you do?

Nearly all visitors to Fiji land in Nadi [pronounced Nandi] international airport, so you will pick you your Vroom car and after familiarising yourself with the car, off you go….for Aussies and Brits, phew in Fiji they drive on the left…well kind of!

Day One – Getting used to driving in Fiji

I suggest that you take some time to get used to your car and also driving in Fiji, by driving south towards Nadi, but following the signs for Suva and avoiding Nadi town centre for now and driving to Sonaisali Island Resort, about half an hour away.

You will see scenic countryside just inland from the coast, sugar cane fields and there are heaps of them, but in cane harvesting season look out for the little, but often very long sugar cane trains!  

By now you will have realised that driving in Fiji is a pretty laid back affair, with cars, trucks and buses, stopping and starting at will, with not much signalling, not travelling at any great speed, few road marking, lots of animals around, and lots of big holes in the road especially after heavy rain, oh and also look out for speed bumps on the entry and exit to villages……..so take care and take your time – also observe the speed limits, radar checks have arrived in Fiji, well sometimes!

On to the fabulous Sonaisali Island Resort, the closest island to the main island and just the place to recover after your flight and discovering Fiji roads and driving.

You need to park the car in their secure car park on the main island and get the ferry across to the island a few minutes away. 

Day Two – Sonaisali Island Resort

I suggest a couple of days at Sonaisali to get that Fiji “Bula” vibe really going and get used to “Fiji Time”. 

At Sonaisali they have jet ski safaris, sunset sailing trips, a heap of non motorised activities free of charge, great food, especially at the signature Plantation Restaurant, or just hang out in the spa in their spa bures – ah relaxing!

For more information visit: www.sonaisali.com

Day Three –  Sonaisali to the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa

Drive South from Sonailsali towards Suva and the Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa about an hour and half down the Coral Coast, through villages and picturesque view points.

At Sigatoka stop to see the ornate mosque which dominates the skyline, visit the Sigatoka Sand Dunes and visit the Kula Bird Park before continuing to The Warwick Resort & Spa for the night.

Day  Four and Five – The Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa

Relax and enjoy all this resort has to offer.

This is a great opportunity to go deep see fishing, have a relaxing spa treatment or laze by the pool before dinner in one of the many wonderful restaurants the resort has to offer.

For more information visit: www.warwickfiji.com

Day Six – The Warwick Fiji Resort & Spa to the Holiday Inn Suva

Suva is the largest city of Fiji and home to the local Government, with the museum worth a visit as it houses the largest collection of Fijian artefacts as well as relics from the legendary HMS Bounty.

This is a great opportunity to purchase souvenirs from the open air markets or Handicraft Centre.

Suva is much maligned, but is safe and has a great tropical buzz, but also like anywhere else don’t leave valuables in the car.

For more information on the Holiday Inn Suva for your overnight visit: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/suvvp?_requestid=79805

Day Seven – Suva to Wananavu

This is where you discover some of the more remote regions of Fiji, not normally visited by tourists as you head north out of Suva.

On the Kings Road between Suva and Rakiraki there is a 50km section of road that is unsealed [it may be sealed by now – unlikely though in Fiji!] about half way along the day’s drive, but this is part of the excitement and well worth the effort with great views over the ocean and of the mountains as the road winds through the mountains and Viti Levu Bay.

On the way visit the Black Christ Mural at the Naiserelagi Catholic Mission.

Overnight at Wananavu Beach Resort

Days Eight and Nine – Wananavu Beach Resort

Take a picnic to a secluded beach, scuba dive in pristine waters with abundant sea life and live corals, or simply relax around the lovely pool area of Wananavu Beach Resort.

Nearby Rakiraki is renowned for its distinctive old world charm and stunning sunsets.

The unspoilt area is known as the Suncoast and combines the lush tropical climate of the east coast with the sunny climate of the west.  As Viti Levu’s northernmost point, it enjoys spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

For more information visit: www.wananavu.com

Day Eleven – Return to Nadi and Sonaisali

The final day of driving takes you through scenic countryside and sugarcane fields, past historic Viseisei Village, Fiji’s first village settlement and past the Sleeping Giant Mountains, through lautoka, Fiji’s sugar capital with a sugar processing plant, distilleries and breweries, back to Nadi and Sonaisali Island Resort for as long as you like for some lying by the pool therapy before your flight home!

You can also visit Nadi, either on the way or perhaps better when you are staying at Sonaisali.

Nadi is Fiji’s third largest city and international gateway, with shops and restaurants, and the major place of worship for Hindus in Fiji is the Sri Siva Sunramaniya Temple, located on the east side of town.

So, what could be easier, a combination of resorts and discovering the hidden delights of Fiji, an island that has a tremendous amount of undiscovered history, landscape, scenery, views, beaches, reefs and more and of course Fiji’s amazing people.

Give it a try, you will not be disappointed.

You can rent a car from www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au and hotels and resorts can be booked on line or through travel agents.

An on location report from Fiji by The Mole