You brought me back to my five day layovers in Fiji when I was based in Honolulu. I tried to go once a month because it was “a soft time trip” where we got credit for five hours of flying each day even though we sat there and just enjoyed it. We were supposed to be positioned there in case a flight from Sydney or Auckland to Honolulu got diverted. The frequency of flights was such that the next plane didn’t come through for five days.But often times we would leave the main island and sneak out to a little island named “Tom’s place” by sailboat. I remember once taking a bus by myself all the way to Suva on the other side of the island. A great cultural adventure! Of course we’re talking more than 40 years ago! Great job on your trip and your explanation of it! I learned a lot!
Alex, wow! The shots underwater took my breath away! What a great trip that was, the ceremony was such a beautiful cultural experience. The pacific cultures really have a special care in hosting and welcoming others. We have much to learn from them for sure!
Absolutely love how you showed a completely different side to travelling in Fiji compared with most travel vlogs. We all know what resorts are like so it’s amazing to see all the other amazing things you did 😊
The main prison in Suva is a great place to visit and spend some time. The humidity made it a little uncomfortable. The locals and staff were very friendly and welcoming. I can’t wait to return in April next year.
I’m not going to lie, I don’t usually look as forward to travel videos as the homestead ones, but then always end up really enjoying your version of travel vlogs. Love learning about the history and then seeing the cultural experiences. Another big thumbs up 👍🏼 🤩
Happy for you both enjoying a lovely holiday in Fiji. I celebrated my 7th Birthday on Tivua Island when there was nothing there but only Turtles and Turtle eggs. I returned 40 years later to celebrate my 47th Birthday again on the Island. There were no more turtles to be seen, but a lot of sea birds on the beautiful beach. I returned once more after that and with fingers crossed, I will return again. Fiji is indeed Beautiful ❤
I stumbled on your video.. Praise God you get to do these kinds of things. And that you have great respect. If only the world would see that our differences is what shows Gods artistry.. and would love and appreciate as you two, instead of being afraid of what they don't know. God Bless You and Your Wife.
We have been to Maldives twice and that was a wow wow paradise also. The colour of fish incredible. Fiji seems the same amazing place. What a lovely honeymoon for you and Carrie. Unforgettable.💕love from England
With Fiji practically "in our backyard" from NZ, I've been lucky to holiday in Fiji every few years for my whole life, including for our honeymoon several years ago. So pleased that you and Carrie got to experience it. You made the right decision to stay on the mainland given the exploring you wanted to do 😊
Awesome! I have relatives in Fiji. They own a massive plantation and a construction business there. The Fijian side of their family is from English settlers who settled there generation's ago. My uncle's mother was descended from that line while his dad was a Kiwi. He was my aunts husband. My cousins spent their lives growing up in NZ in summer and Fiji in winter. Half the family live there and the other half here, that's how they are able to get their construction machinery. When they upgrade equipment here the older stuff gets sent over there.
@@AlexanderAyling Unfortunately no. Very few members of my very vast extended family have. I don't know why as being part of that family the locals there would treat us like royalty.
A lovely getaway for you both awesome .hey thanks Alex for the Fiji background and cost of that trip because me and my whanau are organizing a reunion and Fiji was chosen for us to go ,maybe next year, you say June-September is the best time to go nice one thanku again
O my word thank you for sharing your honeymoon!and how nice of Simon to invite you both to his home for a cava ceremony I’m sure it would be a very proud time for his family and a cultural experience for you.Guessing you are now home and recharged to carry on with home style tasks
WOWWW WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE....FIGI!!! I'm glad you guys were able to relax and do some excursions and I love how that family welcomed you and Carrie into their home for that tradition very kool.. and the underwater photos while you did scuba diving so so beautiful you are great at what you do but I guess by the time you get this message you're back in NZ back to life❤
Thanks for the video! Brought back so many memories for me, I've been there 3 times and it reminded me of how warm the water was, how big the Fijian smiles were and how relaxing it was. One of the things I enjoyed, was going on a boat tour to 3 different islands, gave a taste of the other resorts. Anyways, looked like you both had a great time, Happy Honeymoon!
That looks like a type of steamed pudding you were eating, good with hot custard or cream. Not sure what that they put in theirs but could be golden syrup, brown sugar...
Thank you for sharing part of your honeymoon with all of us. Goodness knows you both deserve to decompress and soak up the sun and sea. The people seem so warm and friendly. What I would have given to ride around an island on my own horse as a kid. Put me near a horse and I am in heaven. Perhaps one day you'll include a couple on the homestead to add to your menagerie of creatures.
Oh my gosh Alex those ways that you were barreling through looked amazing! I was so impressed with the dronage and the fact that you were taking those waves on by yourself with nobody around.Fiji is on Chuck and mine’s list. Thank you for giving us a tour on your honeymoon. I’m very much like you wanting to experience the culture and you did just that. I know so much more about kava kava. I gather the water was nice and warm. Looks like you had an infinity pool in your room from Carrie‘s little swim up and overlooking another body of water. Approximately how much was your room at the Marriott? Where are your meals really yummy? Would love to see more
Bula! Thanks for taking me back to Fiji. My friend, a lawyer, and her cop husband took part in the kava ceremony, but maybe a bit too much. They had a nice nap that afternoon. Ha! Also, I'll never forget the beautiful bright blue starfish we found in the surf.
Thanks a lot for this review Alex. I am considering a trip to New Zealand and Fiji some time within the next 2-3 years and this has already helped me a lot to understand what to expect from Fiji. With other similar reviews from other travellers on YT, I have realized that Fiji is more like a chill and relaxation type of place - something I am not usually looking for when I travel. But maybe it is well worth it for someone coming in from Europe
Hi Alex & Carrie 🙂 we really enjoyed this vlog, we're going to Fiji in a few weeks - so excited! Can you please say a little more about the horseback riding on the beach? Where did you find this? We're also staying on the Coral Coast for a few days 🙂
Ah, great place for a honeymoon, and a fave destination (we usually go to Lomani resort). Island destinations are the best, it feels like the sun gets into your bones. Very much looking forward to going back. Just letting you know also the Fijian language has an unwritten "n" before the letters d and g, so it's pronounced Nandi although it's spelt Nadi. :)
My husband and I were lucky enough to go to Fiji for our honeymoon in September 2019 just before covid came along. Friends highly recommended the coral coast and it didn’t disappoint, though September was a little overcast some days. My top recommendation would be to definitely check out The Warwick Resort in Viti Levu. It is by no means the closest to the airport but it was worth the extra drive for their adult-only pool areas and their multiple dining options especially the Wicked Walu restaurant out on the ocean where sharks swim right alongside your table and they make the most delicious seafood dishes.
So nice to see some of the local culture! I feel like if you wanted to translate all of the uses of bula, you'd need a whole lot of words. Interesting!
Fiji,first time in 1994,beautiful islands nice people a real dream come true nice people and affordable,five years later returned to this paradise island and was still good,and this year we returned and like everywhere else prices to stay went up steaply.people were friendly and helpful,but now everywhere you go people holding hands out for cash especially in bus terminus.insome hotels the staff were unprofessional still you can still enjoy Fiji but not as we knew it. Happy holidays.😢
Accommodation is only expensive if you book online as the chunk of the cost goes to the agent. Whenever you book online or searching for hotels from your country, observe that it automatically reverts to another Web page or an agent(s). page. A better option is only to book a place online for arrival, once you set foot in Fiji, book your accommodation as it removes the other 'tourist agency' costs that you could!/might have incurred online (if booking online). We learnt that a hard way and ended up paying around 2k compared to the normal FJD dollar if you book once you actually arrive in Fiji.
Great informative video Alex. I like the local culture aspect. I didn't hear a price for the hotel. What range and averages are the per night stay at the exclusive resorts. Thanks!
That's not Banana Bread its Purini (Fijian Pudding) made like Steamed English Pudding but instead of being made with milk/cream its made with caramelizing sugar and coconut cream/milk. We eat with butter mostly with tea or warm with custard as dessert. You can look up Purini recipe here on RU-vid
They were tied up under a big tree with water and only brought out to the beach before riding happened. The horses in Fiji are generally smaller but are ridden and totally fine. Appreciate your concern but these animals were not in poor condition, if they were we wouldn’t ride them. 👍🏽
Hello Alex, more of a financial question here, from what I understand is that if you use a credit card there is a hefty fee (8%) not sure if this is true ! also where is the best location (Main island) to exchange U.S. dollars, should this be done at the airport or do hotels offer that service. Love to hear your insight.
STEAMED PUDDING BRO. eat with custard or pouring cream or sliced with BUTTER like a date loaf. Steam pudding brown colour is from burnt sugar or caramelized sugar. The flat cake on table looked like banana cake.
Alex, man of wisdom, please read Peter Zeihan "The end of the world is just the beginning" geopolitics.....are you prepared for the next 5 to 10 yrs????? Be safe, love you two!
Great video. Re Fiji, they used to run adverts with the tag "Fiji, the way the world should be." Not too wrong, but as for prices, it's had a reputation as being expensive for as long as I can remember - and I'm 50. Sadly, something is worth what someone is willing to pay & they (The corporate owners) know there are plenty of wealthy tourists willing to dig into their wallets. Loved the diving footage & happy to see you weren't bothered by any tigers ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Js9_e8AS8Jg.html
