News from Fiji ~ Find Your Feet Fiji

Safety in Fiji

Accidents happen, unfortunately, even in Fiji. Some may say especially in Fiji!! When an emergency situation arises it is best to have a plan ready to put in action. Expats moving to Fiji usually have health insurance as part of their job package, our family certainly does. However, it is the pre-hospital care that is a bit hit and miss., to say the least.

Our family had a traumatic incident a few years ago. We rang the ambulance and were told there was no ambulance. There was no calm voice talking us through anything over the phone, we may as well not have rung at all. Unfortunately this is a common occurrence.

When a balcony fell off the side of a building a few years ago, there were critical injuries. When the ambulance was called no one answered. A long wait, a few more phone calls and someone offered to send a van! Finally after the arrival of the ambulance the patients were scooped up and sent to the hospital. Sadly, there was no treatment at the site or pain relief for the bumpy ride to hospital.

I have signed up for Emergency Medical Services. When speaking with my daughter who made the phone call to the ambulance and telling her about this cover, she said “Tell everyone. Everyone needs this in Fiji”. St Johns Ambulance do the best they can with what they have, however it is nothing like an expat from a developed nation would expect in an ambulance.

So here is the link http://ems.com.fj/affiliate/ff1 it is the sort of thing you need to know about before you actually need to use it. For the price of less than a family meal at a mid-range restaurant per month, it is good peace of mind.

Staying Safe

For other safety tips check out Find Your Feet Fiji’s previous article which covers other safety aspects of living in Fiji.

Emergency Numbers

One of the reasons that pre-hospital care is not ideal is that Fiji does not have just one emergency number. In the front of the phone book there is a page of emergency numbers. Find Your Feet Fiji definitely recommends going “old school” and having a phone book at home.

emergencies in Fiji
#expatliving #fijilife — Page 1 from Fiji Phone Book

Googling “Emergency Numbers in Fiji” brings up a list of numbers as listed here:

Medical Tours

For people who would like to know about dentist options, doctors, 24/7 pharmacies and other medical information please book a tour with me and I can show you around. It is the sort of knowledge that will help you settle safely into living in Fiji.

Let’s go local next holidays

There are so many fantastic specials that it is hard to keep track! Love our Locals Fiji lists all sort of accommodation and activity deals. The hardest part is choosing. It is awesome to see many people taking advantage of the deals and boosting the Fiji Tourism sector.

Schools in Fiji on a four term year are enjoying school holidays this month. Schools such as International School Suva and Nadi, Multiple Intelligence School, The Learning Centre, Champs International and so on. This is a great opportunity of having a holiday in Fiji.

I get many questions on best resorts, excellent activities tastiest restaurant, and the list goes on. There is no one right answer for all. If anyone would like guidance in choosing a place then they can use Find Your Feet Fiji at an hourly rate. Let’s face it, there are different recommendations for people who want a kids club and a swim up bar to those who want a village experience.

Some people are returning to Fiji and spending two weeks in quarantine so they might not be interested in spending time in a hotel. However filling in holidays with easy day trips means you can support local businesses and still sleep in your own bed.

When considering an activity or accommodation I find it easiest to use a spreadsheet. Remember to outline all the inclusions so there are no last minute (and expensive) surprises. Contact me either through my facebook page or via contact us and I can help you with what to include on your own spreadsheet.

Find Your Feet Fiji has been in contact with a few places who have offered specials if you mention Find Your Feet Fiji when booking. Some are still deciding on their specials but others who have already committed to looking after our Find Your Feet friends are listed here.

Vomo Island are offering a room upgrade if available when mentioning Find Your Feet

Sheung at Coconut Beach Resort cbrbookings@gmail.com

Castaway Island is quickly becoming a favourite since opening in August.

Intercontinental were one of the first resorts to open up for great local deals.

Fiji Beachouse ticks a lot of boxes. For people mentioning Find Your Feet Fiji they will throw in free access to SUP Boards. Also, you can do some shopping and get great coffee at The Projects Collective.

Volivoli Beach Resort has free school holiday activities for the week beginning 21st September plus 25% discount on menu and it’s happy hour every hour!

Off the beaten track is Namosi Eco Retreat. Mentioning Find Your Feet Fiji will get you a free 30min massage. Call Danny on 7779099

For those people not bound by school holidays there are plenty of great offers outside the term dates.

Suva Scuba is doing all sorts of amazing dives around Fiji.

Simon from Volivoli Beach Resort has a fishing competition on Saturday 24th October. Let them know you are a Find Your Feet Fiji customer and they will definitely look after you.

There are live-aboard vacations, interior trips with Talanoa Treks and the list goes on.

Find Your Feet Fiji has great reviews. We help people so they can get the best out of Fiji.

I contacted Siobhan recently to get some local knowledge on a quick visit to Nadi. We wanted to get off the tourist track and eat where the locals eat etc. I asked find you feet and she directed us to a fabulous local restaurant that could not have been better for us. I would not have found this little treasure without her guidance.

Opening up Fiji

Living in Fiji during a global pandemic is something I never imagined! Well… no one saw this coming. B.C. (Before COVID!) impacted boarders lots of people left to home countries. Sometimes it was a decision made by employer, other time individual preference. Either way, the “remainers” are enjoying Fiji being COVID-Free.

However, we are seeing impacts on the economy through job-loss and it is devastating.

It is wonderful to see the Blue Lanes being used. By escaping a Southern Hemisphere winter, these yachties are also supporting the people of Fiji. Some may choose to live in Fiji for a bit longer to wait this pandemic out!!

According to Port Denarau’s CEO Cynthia Rasch, Fiji is the only country at the moment that is opening up something like Blue Lane.

#expatlife #fijiliving Living in Fiji — Blue sky, warm water? Yep, that is winter in Fiji

How can I get to Fiji?

If you are wondering how you can explore Fiji once you have arrived please ‘contact me‘ and I will be very happy to help. For those still dreaming of winter in Fiji, here is a video with lots of useful information.

People expect snorkelling, swimming and general Fun-in-the-Sun as part of life in Fiji. On the other hand, there is lots to do on land in Fiji. From markets to hiking to exploring rivers Find Your Feet Fiji can help identify what sorts of activities will best suit you.

Exploring further afield

If you are already living in Fiji but do not own a boat however you would like to sail or motor around Fiji then let me know and I can point you in the right direction. There are a lot of small businesses who have some amazing specials on at the moment. I can meet with you (either phone or over coffee!) and put together a personalised short-list of adventures. That will allow you to spend more time enjoying the trip and less time on wasted research.

Getting sick in Fiji

Most of us are used to the “Travellers Trots” when arriving in a new country. When something serious is diagnosed it can be daunting. It is October aka Pinktober so it is still recommended to continue with normal medical screenings. Remember early detection is vital.

The Fiji Cancer Society page suggests to put a pink ribbon on your profile pic to show you have been screened for breast or cervical cancer or that you pledge to make it a priority this year.

Pinktober is a good reminder for all of us. Just because we are all “living in paradise” on a “permanent holiday” (please add your own sarcastic voice!!) doesn’t mean we can ignore our own health.

I recommend ensuring you, your family and your staff are all checked regularly. If something comes up in general screening in Fiji and there is an option to go overseas to have a second opinion I would recommend that. On a personal level I had something picked up here in Fiji. I was lucky enough to have insurance to get a second opinion. I jumped on a plane and was given the all clear within a week. Phew.

reminder of pinktober
Sick in Fiji
Cancer in Fiji — Get those puppies checked!!

When it comes to domestic staff they become family members. The idea of one of them or their family being sick is awful. They will not have the option of jumping on a plane. That is why early detection is vital. Most doctors here tell me that people will try everything else before western medicine. That results in late detection which then reinforces the concept that “nothing can be done”.

Taking your staff and their families to the doctor is a good idea. The time spent and support that you give will ensure their well being. The education in the past was not based on awareness, so helping spread the word for NCDs like cancer is really helping Fiji overall.

Activities in Fiji

What can you do in Fiji? Fiji has a great reputation for sun, sand and water activities. However living here is a different story! Many new people have been heard to say “There’s nothing to do here.”

Rule #1
If something is on, go to it.

This was a rule I made up fairly recently and shared with a friend. Her teenaged kids were used to plenty of freedom and plenty to do in their last posting. I recommended to her that she explained to them that if there is something going on in Fiji (even if it is not something you would normally like to do) then go along. You don’t have to stay, you don’t have to commit or even enjoy it. However, giving it a go will probably end up with seeing people you know and possibly enjoying yourself!

Whether you are looking for things to do after work or things to do while your partner is at work, there are all sorts of activities to keep occupied, but sometimes discovering them can take time. That is how I can help you.

Settling into a new country can be tricky. Finding activities that fit your new life here is imperative to settling in quickly. Being able to find “your tribe” can be a bit hard to do. A Find Your Feet Introductions package can definitely make things a lot less stressful. When you know what to expect and what is expected of you then it is much easier to put the correct foot forward with confidence.

Various sites recommend different ways to Find Your Tribe. It boils down to a few simple rules:

Know yourself

Give some thought to how you would like to spend your time. Is it evenings and weekends after work? During the day? Things to do with your partner? Activities your children can do with or without you?

Put yourself ‘out there’

Try new things. It can be hard if you have never done something before to give something new some time. Developing a new skill can be challenging, but the old adage of “Everyone has to start somewhere” is valid.

I am not suggesting when you move to a new country that you should let go of all things sensible. Rather, I am suggesting perhaps one step from the normal.

Attend Meetings

Perhaps in your last living place you avoided meetings. Nevertheless attending meetings in Fiji could lead to something you are interested in joining. Perhaps it is a religious meeting, or a social club, a wine tasting or a creative writing group. Coupling this with the last rule of trying something new will open doors for you.

Ditch the judgement

We are all constantly looking at the world from our own perspective. The sooner you look for commonalities and leave the judging out then you will find people much more receptive to being in your tribe.

Volunteer and Commit

As Fiji is a developing nation there are plenty of groups who rely on volunteers to commit their time to help make an activity great. It could be a sporting group or using a new skill to help others. Volunteering in an area with like minded people will help develop friendships that last forever.

How do you start?

The best place to begin is by booking in some time with Find Your Feet Fiji to establish your interests. There are hourly rates and individualised packages which will save so much time on the trial and error rate of a new country.

Some things coming up in the next few weeks are listed below. Remember Rule #1 for Living in Fiji – If something is on, go to it.

Thurston Food & Music Festival this Saturday

Learn a new skill. This is incredibly cheap and a valuable skill.

Keep an eye on Find Your Feet Fiji on Facebook and Instagram as things are often posted there on request from organisers.

Where to eat in Fiji

When traveling in Fiji you can choose to eat where you are staying or venture out. Living in the Fiji is the same. You can eat at home or head out to a restaurant. The choice of supermarket has increased ten-fold in the last decade.

The fresh food markets in Suva and Namaka (Nadi) have excellent fruit and vegetables. If you are doing a tour in your new country we can recommend when to go to the market & when to avoid it! When I first moved here I loved the hustle and bustle of Saturday, but now I prefer to go when the vegetables have just arrived, but the crowds have not.

Oliver Scarf from Nanuku Auberge Resort recently wrote an article on food in Fiji. He has some good tips and recommends places to eat. Click here to read the article. This article is fairly recent so not much has changed on restaurants. To get the latest “hot spot” for eating or shopping I will be able to keep you up to date.

Shopping in Fiji

When you book for Orientation in your new city I will personalise your tour This will help you find all the hidden gems that will help you settle in and feel at home in Fiji. Knowing things like gluten free options or where to buy a cake topper make shopping a lot faster. Some people like to focus on speciality shops others try to get everything under one roof.

The Indian influence on food in Fiji means we have access to some delicious curries. Excellent cooking courses, restaurants, Hindi language and legumes to enrich our lives. I have a couple of favourite places to buy lentils and spices. I can definitely include these on our tour.

Shopping for food in Fiji does not have the range that Tesco or Woolworths in developed nations. Often to get the best of everything you will have to combine some ordered food (like fish delivered to your house) specialty shops for imported goods and a supermarket for the staples. There are definitely places I would not recommend!

Suva market video from Youtube

Resorts in Fiji

Before you move to Fiji you imagine that your new life will be filled with tropical sunsets and cocktails with little umbrellas. The reality isn’t quite so instagramable. However, resorts in Fiji are readily accessible for weekends away. Either just to escape the house and work or to utilise a long weekend.

The simple part is leaving home. [Thank you to our housekeepers who tidy up after the whirlwind of packing for a weekend away.] Is the dog fed? Are there any tradespeople coming to do work? Do I need to turn the computer off at the powerpoint?

The hardest part is choosing where to go. It can take hours working out location, transport, activities available, what is included and so on. This is where Find Your Feet Fiji can really help you.

Looking at the video below will give people an overview of some of the island groups in Fiji. It does not give any details for resorts in Fiji. It is definitely worth looking at – just for the pronunciation mistakes!

Finding the right resort in Fiji for you

Would like advice on which resorts in Fiji might suit your family? Sounds simple right? However, every family is different. One family may want kids club, another may have older kids. Sometimes there are visitors with no kids or different aged kids to your own – how can you possibly decide?

There are hourly rates for Find Your Feet. By detailing some of your requirements I can cut down the ringing around and emailing time. Do you want to drive yourself or hire a driver? Does one of your party members get seasick? There any many things to consider before even getting a shortlist. Contact me, I will be able to help you.

Best of both worlds. Tropical sunset at a resort!

What to do in Fiji over the Christmas/New Year break

I have had a few people asking how to fill in the school holidays in Fiji over the Christmas/New Year break. Here it is 7 or 8 weeks long (depending on your school). This is a considerable amount of time to fill. I have put together some events that are coming up so everyone can get out of the house. For other events that have not yet been slated please feel free to add them to the post on the Find Your Feet Facebook page to create a repository for “all things happening” for a Fiji Christmas.

For Kids

This program is running for most of December. Alliance Francaise is running this program at the Multiple Intelligence School. Ages 5-12yrs. Activities are in English with “a little bit of French”!

Cool off, get some exercise and have the kids increase their skill or learn a new skill. Swimming is a great way to ensure a good night’s sleep for all. Details are on the poster.

Aimed at working parents for the age group 10 year and below. This program seems to give a big bang for your buck. You can send your child as soon as they go on break. LIMITED SPACES Available. “Happy Holiday” Promotion Ends on Friday 28th December 2018.

Admin Fee $50 and $20 a day

Things provided by school:
Ø Morning tea
Ø Healthy lunch
Ø Afternoon tea
Ø Sleeping materials (Pillow, Blanket, mattress)
Ø Utensils, cups, plates, bowl, glass etc.

Time: 8 am – 4 pm

You may pick your child up as late as 6pm with no late pick up fees

Fun activities…Movies….Play dates…a great time for socialising with various age groups…safety and security.

Contact: 8323309/3380442
email: pioneer.t.dcc@gmail.com
Location: 137 Nailuva Road

Cool off, get some exercise and have the kids increase their skill or learn a new skill. Swimming is a great way to ensure a good nights sleep for all. Details are on the poster. The Rova family are lovely people and committed swimmers, you couldn’t be in better hands.

gym fiji — Gymnastics sessions for able bodied kids 3 years and over

This is something new for Suva based kids. For kids over 3 years old. The venue is Hilton Special School, but it is aimed at able-bodied kids. Dates are 26 November-22nd December. Getting your kids moving their bodies is a great break from “screen time”.

For everyone

Keep an eye on Alliance Francaise. They often have good movies and activities announced one or two days before the event. Foreign language films with subtitles, art exhibitions, cooking classes. Also the kids activities program at MIS above in the For Kids section.

At the end of November there is the Fiji National Championships for Badminton. This could be a great rainy day activity to watch for as long or as short as you enjoy.

Christmas decoration Fiji style — Fill your house with flowers from the local markets

Head to Suva Markets to pick up some gorgeous flowers. A Fresh Flower wreath is a luxury we can indulge in during a Summer Christmas in Fiji.

Staying fit during an indulging season like Thanksgiving Christmas & New Year can be difficult. The Russ Challenge looks like a real challenge. Check the facebook page here for details. It is listed as Saturday December 22nd 6am. The details are:

Russ Challenge:
Join Russ on December for the Russ Challenge. In my line of work being physically fit and mentally prepared could mean the difference between life and death. To do this for years, deployed in different continents on different operations require me to be ready for anything. Sometimes you can be working in a team and the very next month you’re all alone in foreign country; being ready, prepared and focused is extremely important.

I kept a training routine that I’ve always fall back on to test my physical capabilities and mental focus before heading out.

If you are an Active Duty Military, Police, Corrections, Fireman or an interested Individual. Fill free to write on this event wall. Bring your unit, teams, group or family and enjoy the work out !

Exercise:
200 Proper Push Up
200 Sit-ups
50Dead Weight Pull Up
50 Burpees

10 KM Run and return with a 50 KG backpack and hike for 10 KM

Complete 2×3 minute round Sparring
1 set 50 reps Burpees (no rest)

and Survive a Stress test with Knife Attack, Self-Defence and Weapons Disarmament.

Christmas in Fiji — Christmas Tree Lighting at GPH

The tree is already up and the lighting event is taking place at GPH on 23rd November. They are certainly getting in early. It is a fundraiser for St Christopher’s Home.

Fiji Christmas — Free Christmas Tree Lighting event

As I drove through Damodar City carpark today (before the inevitable traffic jam to get out!) I saw the tree being put up. I often resent the tree as it takes up valuable car spaces. However, going along to the lighting of it could be fun. On Saturday 1st December.

I recently did the sunset cruise. Even though the weather wasn’t great, sprinkling but not raining (oh Suva!!) is was a fantastic experience. I can definitely recommend it. After living in Fiji for so long and seeing many druas, sailing on one, even with a tarpaulin sail(!) was excellent.

Getting Away

As I have said before, you can pick up excellent resort deals before Christmas. The closer you get to Christmas and the later you book, you can pick up some bargains.

Uprising Resort have come to the party early with some great local deals.

Staying Home

Remember we are in cyclone season. So stay up to-to-date with weather reports. Have your cyclone preparation done before you Christmas Shopping. Cyclones wont wait for you. We are predicted to have 7-11 named Tropical Cyclones in the Pacific, and predicted to have the average amount of cyclones here in Fiji.

Crime is usually on the rise in the lead up to Christmas. Stay safe.

As I post this on Thanksgiving, I wish all my American friends a Happy Thanksgiving. To everyone, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year period. If you have guests coming, particularly with special needs (older parents, limited mobility etc) or children of an age you are unfamiliar with, I can recommend some activities tailored for you to enjoy. Please contact me for anything to help you Find Your Feet.

Tropical Cyclone Outlook November 2018 – April 2019

Updated Forecast November 2018 – April 2019 Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Thank you NIWA for the forecasted weather patterns for our region.

The good news is…

The cyclone forecast for Fiji is to expect a “normal” cyclone season. This means we can expect 2-3 cyclones in our area between November 2018 – April 2019.

Preparation

You can read what the difference is between a Typhoon, Cyclone and Hurricane here.

Make sure you are prepared now. Cyclone preparation isn’t fun. Especially when shoppers are going crazy and the candles shelf is empty! A friend of mine didn’t take my warnings and by the time Winston was due to hit he found only small Diwali candles (think the size of one finger!) available.

Ensure you are up to date by checking weather sites (suggestions below) and make sure you have a radio with batteries. If internet or electricity is down radio will keep you informed. My husband prefers Windy.com, here is the link for Fiji co-ordinates https://www.windy.com/-18.151/178.455?-18.041,179.165,8

Site	URL	Useful for
Fiji Meteorological Service	http://www.met.gov.fj/	Updates from the Government of Fiji
Tropical Storm Risk	http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/	I find this one the best
Time & Date Nadi	https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/fiji/nadi/ext	14 Day extended forecast
Time & Date Suva	https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/fiji/suva	Suva forecast

If hope you found this post useful, please share it with your networks. If you have any questions please contact me and I’d be happy to help.

Cyclone vs Hurricane vs Typhoon in Fiji

Updated Forecast November 2018 – April 2019 Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Thank you NIWA for the forecasted weather patterns for our region.

Cyclone in Fiji

The earliest cyclone on record means we need to be preparing for cyclone season now.

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Typhoons, Hurricanes and cyclones are all tropical storms. They are all the same thing but are given different names depending on where they appear.

When they reach populated areas they usually bring very strong winds and rain which can cause a lot of damage.

Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific.

Cyclones are formed over the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. (This is us here in Fiji)

Typhoons are formed over the Northwest Pacific Ocean. (source BBC.co.uk)

Prepare for a cyclone

Read the post Weather in Fiji. This covers the basics of food water and housing. The good thing about preparing for a cyclone is that you cannot do it too early. All your supplies you buy now in September will last until May when the season is over.

In addition some good ideas for Fiji residents who might have an emergency supplies carton somewhere: bury it. There is no point having an emergency supply of toilet paper and tinned goods if it blows away.

Further to the information in last years post, here is a handy video showing what each category of cyclone can look like. The categories for Typhoon, Hurricane or Cyclone are all the same. Category 1 being smallest and category 5 being largest and most devastating.

There is talk of a new Category 6 being added to cyclone classifications. TC Winston hit Fiji in February 2016 with winds measuring above 280km/h (175mph) which is much higher than the current category 5 upper limit of 230km/h.

Prediction for 2018/19

Philip Duncan, Head Forecaster from Weather Watch in NZ has said “To see a cyclone form so early in the season may be an indicator of bigger storms to come this summer.”

The local Fijians always say if the breadfruit and mango trees are bountiful then a cyclone is coming. I am not sure that my mango trees are that smart, but they are certainly loaded at the moment. Therefore I am going to stock up on batteries, water, candles and a new deck of cards!

Staying Safe

Emergency Numbers

Medical Tours

How can I get to Fiji?

Exploring further afield

Rule #1If something is on, go to it.

Know yourself

Put yourself ‘out there’

Attend Meetings

Ditch the judgement

Volunteer and Commit

How do you start?

Shopping in Fiji

Finding the right resort in Fiji for you

For Kids

For everyone

Getting Away

Staying Home

Updated Forecast November 2018 – April 2019 Tropical Cyclone Outlook

The good news is…

Preparation

Updated Forecast November 2018 – April 2019 Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Cyclone in Fiji

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Prepare for a cyclone

Prediction for 2018/19

Recent News from Find Your Feet

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t: +679 9922112

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Rule #1
If something is on, go to it.