Only Make It A Short Stop!
Written: Jul 03 '03 (Updated Jul 06 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Shopping!
Cons: Too Many!
The Bottom Line: Beware of the people trying to con you into buying wooden swords! They'll come up to you and ask your name and make you buy it!
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| lil_kanga77's Full Review: Suva |
I stayed in Suva in June 2002 while on a golfing holiday from Australia. I was fortunate enough to stay with a local who has a second home in Suva while many of the party stayed in local hotels.
I stayed there about 5 nights. That was more than I suggest to those reading.
Firstly, the reason I went to Fiji was to play in a few of their big amateur events. The golfing in Suva was pretty dismal if you're an avid golfer. Suva Golf Club was not up to par with what I'm used to but considering the lack of funds and heavy rains the week before, I could understand why it's condition wasn't too good. However, it was not like putting on carpet, the grass on the greens was buffalo grass and for those of you who don't know what this type of grass looks like, let's just say you could miss a putt by literally hitting a blade of grass that was standing upright. The staff and professional were very friendly and I experienced my first Fiji Bitter - the local beer. It's a little more potent than what I'm used to. The atmosphere around the clubhouse during the tournament was good. Another point of interest were the caddies - local boys and men who did it for money. They were very helpful with local course knowledge and the pay was only $10 a round plus a soft drink at half way. And with the recent rain, the week before, that I mentioned pulling your own buggy would've been tough going.
Suva is a very busy and dirty city. There is very little maintenance so the city has a very run-down feel about it. There are colonial-style buildings that are now deserted which, if restored, would make great attractions.
Walking the streets, you'll have people begging for money and food - so much so that while I was at an ATM a little boy grabbed at my ankle and asked for money. Now that, that is something I don't like.
One night, during my stay, we had no water. Apparently a pipe had burst and cut off water to numerous houses and hotels.
All these things are facts of life when you go to a third-world/developing country like Fiji and something you have to bear in mind if you're wanting to say in one of the cities.
Sure, accommodation for the others was cheap and taxi rides were also cheap but there are no attractions in Suva except the cheap shopping, the markets near the harbor and maybe a harbor cruise, again, I do say, maybe.
However, it was not all doom and gloom. I was welcomed with open arms by the locals who were hosting the event and the countless other participants.
Staying with a local was probably a good thing. She took us to places that maybe tourists wouldn't go - food wise, that is. And the food, yes, it was great - particularly the seafood.
On a more positive note, I am glad I got to see that side of Fiji because it's an eye-opening experience.
However, if I was to ever return to Fiji, I would go straight from the airport to the hotel or hotel island and stay there for the duration of my trip.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
lil_kanga77
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Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 0 members
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