Vinaka (Thank You) Fiji

by Kerry-Ann Ellington (United States of America)

Making a local connection Fiji

Majestic, terrifying, relief - words I never thought I’d put together to describe my first time visiting Fiji. However, on a rainy November day, my husband and I almost met our maker via a small plane traveling to SavuSavu, Fiji. The ride started off great, the views of the green, picturesque mountains and turquoise water mixed with lush vegetation took our breath away. As we were about to land, we experienced major turbulence. I assumed it wouldn’t affect our landing but the circling of the airport three times proved me wrong. Finally, the pilot got the nerve to descend and it was the scariest I’ve ever experienced. Once we landed, I didn’t know if I should thank or curse him with how quickly we dropped. Our driver greeted us with the biggest smile followed by “Eh, I thought the plane was dropping out di sky. Was worried for a second.” Apparently, this type of weather caused planes to circle for longer periods of time or the pilots would go back to the mainland. As we drove through the town to our resort, it reminded us of our homeland of Jamaica. The simplicity of the houses, street signs, cars and even how people dressed, were stark reminders of something we both missed and loved, the island vibe. A mentality and lifestyle that created an instant local connection. Despite the rain, people were walking around, some with no umbrellas and with no haste. They had no care about whether their hair or clothes were getting drenched. I instantly envied this sense of peace and happiness. We arrived at Namale Resort and were greeted with leis, cocktails and a local song. We wanted to thank them in their local tongue and were told to use the word - ‘Vinaka.” This word became our theme word throughout our trip. Upon further conversations with the staff, Vinaka carries multiple meanings, the main concept being - from a place of gratitude or thanks. I was grateful for the chance to unwind in such a magnificent place but what I walked away with, outside of the beauty of this island, was more than what I can articulate in words. Fiji is rich in culture. A culture they haven’t allowed the modern world to dilute or taint. For instance, touring the local villages required permission from the village’s chief. I’ve never experienced that type of hierarchical set up before. I was impressed with the fact that despite them relying heavily on tourism to support their economy, the chief based society was still upheld and sacred. Our tour guide requested permission to tour a nearby village and it was by far my most favorite part of being in Fiji. Don’t get me wrong, the sightseeing was amazing, the food and drinks were to die for; the best I’ve ever eaten, but the local connections we made were priceless! My husband and I continued to marvel at the distinct similarities the village had to our homeland. We saw the same fruit and vegetable trees, wildlife, architecture of their churches and convenient stores, food products, and even the same brand of furniture store. We were invited into one of the homes and received a quick summary on Fiji’s history which included a rule that no one locked their front doors. This open door policy allowed people to actively provide support to each other with food or clothing items or if they needed a helping hand. What an inspiring way to live! We wrapped up our tour with a traditional Kava ceremony. Kava is a popular drink with calming effects to your body and tingling/numbing effects to your tongue. It’s used a lot during social occasions. Similar to going out for coffee or drinks. The sense of love and community was evident during our entire stay. The crime rate is low and the culture is rich in traditional and spiritual values. The hustling mentality was nowhere to be found, which was refreshing to experience. We are blessed and honored to remain friends with Namale’s owners and it’s workers. We share life’s ups and downs via social media to this day. Fiji left an indelible mark on our hearts and for that we say - “Vinaka!”