After an afternoon nap, I awoke to the sound of shouting, no not another Coup - the evening ritual of the warrior lighting the torches around the hotel. From the balcony I could already see the flaming torches flickering in the gardens, and I was just in time to see him trotting away, grass skirt shaking, like the scariest Olympic Torch Relay Runner you have ever seen.
The nightly fire fighting ritual; routines, that’s what you need here, in this Pacific Paradise. Because time slows, you drift subconsciously into 'Fiji Time' - if you didn't have a routine then you might not get anything done.
We too have our routine. Breakfast buffet - some sun, a nap, afternoon tea, some TV, a walk (more like a stroll), buffet dinner (Louise loves a buffet), then more TV, computer, and bed. Chuck in a drive to Suva, and a day cruise, and you can fill ten nights here. Sure, initially it was a shock, but can one get out of 'Fiji time'? Can we survive without to a mid day nap? Will the boss get angry if I'm two hours late to work, and then shrug, and give the excuse, "I'm on Fiji time".
At dinner all the staff gathered around one of the tables, and sang the most beautiful song, the baritone of the men, in perfect harmony with the women. It was so good that it could have been sung by a professional choir, not a motley crew from the restaurant consisting of the waitresses, chefs, and the managers. Louise asked why they were singing that song.
"It's the traditional Fijian farewell song".
The nightly fire fighting ritual; routines, that’s what you need here, in this Pacific Paradise. Because time slows, you drift subconsciously into 'Fiji Time' - if you didn't have a routine then you might not get anything done.
We too have our routine. Breakfast buffet - some sun, a nap, afternoon tea, some TV, a walk (more like a stroll), buffet dinner (Louise loves a buffet), then more TV, computer, and bed. Chuck in a drive to Suva, and a day cruise, and you can fill ten nights here. Sure, initially it was a shock, but can one get out of 'Fiji time'? Can we survive without to a mid day nap? Will the boss get angry if I'm two hours late to work, and then shrug, and give the excuse, "I'm on Fiji time".
At dinner all the staff gathered around one of the tables, and sang the most beautiful song, the baritone of the men, in perfect harmony with the women. It was so good that it could have been sung by a professional choir, not a motley crew from the restaurant consisting of the waitresses, chefs, and the managers. Louise asked why they were singing that song.
"It's the traditional Fijian farewell song".
It's a fitting end to our holiday in Fiji. Tomorrow we have to fly back on the mornings flight to Sydney.
I must admit we didn't get the whole Fiji experience at the start of the holiday. I had overheard people talking how they return every year to Fiji. We both thought, "Obviously they have not been to Hawaii, or done much travelling".
It's not about the food, the service, even the beaches - it's about the Fijian people. They are so relaxed and friendly that you can't help but feel relaxed and happy.
The happiest people in the world.
