First trip to FIJI, I have questions

[gumpy]

I am doing my first trip to FIJI thanks to this forum and its wisdom. I need about 200 extra SC's to get to 2400sc for the year for the 50k points and decided if it comes with a Fiji holiday for 1.2k in flights then fantastic.

1. Do I need any special shots?
2. They have mossies over there this time of year?
3. Now much is the taxi ride to Denarau Island?
4. Is the tap water safe the drink?
5. Anything other inside tips for safety/ease of getting around?

thanks in advance

 

[metalworker]

1 - No
2 - No
3 - Dont know
4 - Yes, but buy bottled water, it tastes better.
5 - It's safe outside the cities, I've worked in Fiji and walked around at night in Ba, Latoka, Tavua by myself (northern European btw) - the locals just laughed at me!

Visit the bowls club at Vatukola in the north. Stay out of Nadi and Suva, they are both dumps.

 

[kpc]

3.FJD30 but they may ask for more:shock:

 

[Fantic125]

If you're staying at one of the hotels on Denaru Island then you can use the Bula bus to get to/from the Marina. IIRC $7FJD per person for a ticket and you can use it all day.

 

[markis10]

Normal travel rules apply, dont drink the water and dont eat food that is raw, including salads etc. As always smartraveller.gov is a good place to start and it highlights concerns that any traveller should be aware of:

Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses (including dengue fever and filariasis) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. We recommend you take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes, including using insect repellent, wearing long, light coloured, loose-fitting clothing and ensuring your accommodation is mosquito proof. For further information see the World Health Organization's dengue fever factsheet.
Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including typhoid, hepatitis, leptospirosis, tuberculosis, measles and mumps) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. Fijian authorities have recently reported cases of typhoid in Suva and throughout the country. We recommend that you boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes, raw and undercooked food. Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.
Cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) have recently been reported in Suva . HFMD mostly affects children under the age of 10 years but adult cases (particularly young adults) are not unusual. The illness is characterised by fever as well as blisters and rashes on the hands, feet and buttocks. HFMD is spread by direct contact with nose and throat discharges and faeces of infected people. Normal hygiene precautions should be taken including careful and frequent hand washing.
Ciguatera poisoning from eating reef fish can be a hazard.

 

[gumpy]

boo =( but nothing out of the ordinary there...

thanks for the info guys...

 

[SYD]

There were a few mozzies last week on the Coral Coast. If they are partial to you, then I would recommend you take some Aeroguard.

 

[gumpy]

Thanks for the info guys generally spot on.

For future reference for people.

Cab to denarau should be 25 FJD.
Very few mossies in Denarau but Pacific Harbour I got destroyed.
Water is fine
It's pretty safe unless you're out late in Nadi and you're clearly a tourist.

 

[froggerADL]

There were a few mozzies last week on the Coral Coast. If they are partial to you, then I would recommend you take some Aeroguard.

Which they will take from you at security. You can of course buy it in Fji.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Which they will take from you at security. You can of course buy it in Fji.

Even if you pack it into your checked luggage?

 

[Sprucegoose]

Even if you pack it into your checked luggage?

It's fine in checked luggage. Look for a decent % of DEET, for more effectiveness, so not necessarily Aeroguard. I have always seen a good travel doctor, invaluable.PM me if you want a good travel doctor in Melbourne

 

[Jacques Vert]

It's fine in checked luggage. Look for a decent % of DEET, for more effectiveness, so not necessarily Aeroguard. I have always seen a good travel doctor, invaluable.PM me if you want a good travel doctor in Melbourne

My doctor said to look for something with at least 10% DEET; came across Bushman Plus with 80% DEET and includes a sunscreen! Used it sparingly as my skin looked sunburnt as soon as I put it on (even before I went in the sun).

Will ask my doctor for his advice before using it again; but it sure keeps the mossies away.

JV

 

[straitman]

If staying at the Hilton and eating in one of their restaurants they will supply the Aerogard.

 

[Sprucegoose]

If staying at the Hilton and eating in one of their restaurants they will supply the Aerogard.

An elite benefit Bill!!

 

[straitman]

An elite benefit Bill!!

Nah.

They even offered it to the Bogans :!:

 

[Dyslexic traveler]

The mosquito thing is very important last year she who must be obeyed ended up with Ross River from a trip to Fiji and still has residual problems after a year so slip slop and slap the mosquito repellent

 

[Sprucegoose]

The mosquito thing is very important last year she who must be obeyed ended up with Ross River from a trip to Fiji and still has residual problems after a year so slip slop and slap the mosquito repellent

Frommy extensive travel to coughpy places I have noticed that you either get bitten or you don't. Those that don't tend to feel colder to touch than those who seem to be bitten all the time, who feel warmer to touch.I know it's not scientific, but I have seen a pattern here over the years.Take it all seriously, in any case is the best approach.