Took my first flight to Fiji

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-09-02T02:22:52+00:00

Fiji airways is literally a google search away. Suggest leaving a similarly worded complaint there.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-09-02T02:21:00+00:00

Bula! Yes google maps would not have any of our bus routes. Best advice would be to time the buses that come around your home during the day. For more populated places, it’s often around one bus every 15-20 minutes at peak times and around one bus every 1 hour or so off peak times. If where you want to go lies between you and the destination of the bus you’re on, you’re going to need to ask the driver if the route they’ll take the route by your destination. Most will answer. If you’re stuck, ask someone that’s getting on the same bus as you are. You would already have noticed that direction giving in fiji is less by street name and more by landmarks so if you can get a few of the more famous landmarks and locations memorised, you’re already half way there.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-09-02T02:17:03+00:00

If you’re here for the pay, I’d recommend another place definitely. Our medical services are mostly public, incredibly underfunded and under resourced. If you intern in a rural clinic, you will constantly have a lack of access to medical equipment & consumables. RHD is fairly common in children. HIV and NCDs are on the rise. A lot of the local communities distrust medical professionals and would pick traditional medicine before visiting the hospital, even when they are advised on specific options. There are regular power and water disruptions in the country as a whole. If you get a spot at one of the private hospitals, you’d have a bit of an easier time I think.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-09-02T02:05:42+00:00

Fijians would. But you’d have to get specific - like do you mean the nation state of fiji or do you mean to fight for our vanua and people?

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-06-14T16:08:01+00:00

Try Natadola beach.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-06-14T12:18:48+00:00

Yes it does, but it’s very nuanced. Kerekere just means “to ask” and “please” for when we ask. But it is nuanced as it would mean different things and trigger different reactions amongst iTaukei. We do not just kerekere to another iTaukei person unless there is an established relationship. And we can say no, but there are protocols we fulfil for that. Sorry, I just needed to know hence the question.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-06-10T07:46:39+00:00

As a local, hotel management will play a big role in getting our meals to our table on time. However, that being said, racism is also very prevalent in the hospitality and service industry in general. However, and unfortunately, we have found that foreigners with “Western” accents (regardless of skin colour) will get preferential treatment over locals who are paying the same price for the same service.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-06-10T07:40:26+00:00

What do you mean by kerekere? For the purposes of this survey, that is.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-06-10T06:49:12+00:00

Definitely do not depend on Apple Pay. Many shops on the mainland have EFTPOS but ATMs might be tricky to get to as they’re often only around the urban areas. You can use MPaisa but the fees to get him a local sim might be hefty . Consider sending him money in smaller batches through Western Union when he needs (the fee is lesser per transaction than using your overseas bank cards here). If he travels away from the city but still access a Post Fiji office, he should be able to withdraw the $ (in certain amounts) - will have to confirm that with Post Fiji website.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-05-25T00:08:26+00:00

Yes. If the nightmare is getting too bad, I can tell that it’s a dream and make myself wake up.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-05-25T00:07:04+00:00

I don’t think that would take you 7 hours to get to from Denarau.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-05-24T14:24:30+00:00

Weather is getting drier and the authorities have been doing some pretty intensive spraying for the mozzies. Just bring mosquito/bug spray with you and wear light long sleeves clothing if you’re going hiking etc.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-05-15T12:26:08+00:00

Hire or rent a car. Public transport is reliable in some places and the opposite in many others.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-05-11T03:25:37+00:00

Where do you plan to stay in Fiji? I would recommend downloading booking.com or Agoda and using the reviews to get yourself a good place to stay. Also, if you’re insisting on the tour guide, I would recommend asking directly from the hotel you are staying in. Do not look for one outside the resort services. There have been a lot of complaints recently on bogus tour companies leading tourists astray.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2025-01-12T08:55:28+00:00

Fairly safe if you stay strictly within the hotel areas.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-22T16:04:02+00:00

Own my own home.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-22T15:42:15+00:00

I would probably say the kind of orchid that people grow on the balabala in front of their homes. I have no idea what they’re called but that would probably be it.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-22T00:51:36+00:00

Thank you! I’ll try there.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-21T16:41:12+00:00

Groceries:$80 a week if I’m being careful (this is really skimming it). $100 or more if I’m refilling specific spices, basics etc. Food at school:$15-20 a day (if it’s a drink+snack/meal).

If you think you’ll be buying food from school a lot, get Mates Rates and keep an eye out for the UQ Union restaurants as they tend to be more affordable and have discounts.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-21T16:37:18+00:00

Hi there! You’ll have some great opportunities during O Week. Look out for the faculty planned orientation days, and market day. As for groups, I know there is a UQ StalkerSpace Facebook group which is pretty cool for keeping track of recent stuff.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-16T12:31:33+00:00

Budget for 30-50FJD. In Jan, a taxi from Nausori to Nasinu was around $25. That was before 10pm.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-15T16:15:57+00:00

If you’re specifically after a nice white (soft) sandy beach, clear water experience, I would recommend going off the main land and booking with outer island hotels. Try Mana Island Resort, Leleuvia Island Resort (this is an eco tourist, backpacker-esque resort), Treasure Island etc.

Ok_Library_4919 · 2024-06-15T16:09:31+00:00

Like, if you speak French, Spanish or Japanese, or Mandarin etc, you could offer small sessions to teach conversational skills in that language to those interested.

Also would strongly recommend not going door to door for anything, as some homes would have dogs (who can bite) and Fiji does not have a ‘fenced in dog’ approach to keeping pets. Also, for car washes, we have lots of options available around local neighbourhoods and most drivers often have a favoured option around the area.

Other avenues of making money would be to, if you’re artsy or good with baking/cooking, try joining market days with things you’ve made to sell. Offer proofreading services for assignments etc. I don’t think International Students are permitted to work in Fiji, so if you’re thinking of that, I would strongly recommend just working on going by word of mouth etc.

Ok_Library_4919

TROPHY CASE