| | Jun 18, 2006 - Dinner in Fiji and a Few Days in Auckland | (click to enlarge)
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 | | show all 12 | | Picking up our luggage at the Nadi Airport, Fiji | | Sleeping at the Nadi Airport on our layover - great couches for an airport! | | Ferry Building, Auckland New Zealand | | |
| Nadi, Fiji and Auckland, New Zealand - Jet Setting
When we left Vanuatu, we decided to pop over to Fiji for dinner. Only about an hour away, it seemed like a fun thing to do for a nice Indian meal. Okay, so we did have dinner in Fiji but it was not because we have become the ultra-rich jet-setters everyone dreams of. In reality, it was all about saving some money. When we originally booked our airline tickets, we were able to use Frequent Flyer points to get a much cheaper ticket to the Cook Islands. However, it meant we had to fly from Vanuatu to Fiji where we had a nasty 10-hour layover to catch a flight that departed at 4 AM for Auckland. Since we were going to Auckland, we decided to stay there for a few days before catching a flight northbound again to Rarotonga and the Cook Islands.
Our 10 hours stopover in Fiji worked out to be quite productive. Landing at the airport, we were able to confirm bookings for another 3-day stay we will be doing in Fiji while connecting through to Samoa. After making our travel bookings, we enjoyed a delicious Indian meal at a restaurant not too far from the airport. After dinner, with it being late we decided to head back to the airport which has changed drastically since I was there 10-years ago. Much larger and more modern now, we were able to secure very comfortable leather couches set up like we were in someone's living room for a few hours of shut-eye before checking in for our flight.
Arriving in Auckland early the next morning was a shock to our systems. It was 7:30 AM and only 3 degrees above zero - by far the coldest weather we have had in over a year. Luckily, the days warmed up somewhat as we strolled around New Zealand's largest city. We were fortunate enough to have a luxurious hotel staying at the Hyatt Regency in their residence tower that provided us with a full kitchen as well - always a welcome addition to our accommodations.
The three days were gone in no time as we ran our usually errands when we reach a big city - laundry, hair cuts, uploads to the websites, sending mail home and picking up shampoo and other necessities while they are readily available and at good prices. We wandered around the central part of this waterfront city with its friendly citizens taking in the atmosphere and a few of the cafes.
Before long, it was 4:45 AM and the high pitched beep of the alarm was going off signalling it was time to leave this cool, wet weather and head back north to the sunny tropical pacific.
Travel Tips for Nadi Stopover and Auckland
1. If you have a layover in Fiji, the airport is well equipped with shops, restaurants, cafes and everything you need to be comfortable if you don't want to leave the airport. The departure area has some incredibly comfortable leather couches and chairs which are a great place to pass the time away.
2. There is an ANZ bank machine as well as Money Changers in the arrivals terminal if you need to get some Fijian dollars.
3. The town of Nadi (pronounced Nandi) can be reached by a short taxi ride where you can find restaurants and shops. If you are shopping in town, unlike everywhere else in the South Pacific you can bargain for your purchases. Nadi is largely Indo-Fijian where bargaining is an expected part of there culture unlike anywhere else in the South Pacific (and most of the rest of Fiji) where it is considered very rude.
4. Nadi Airport has a Left Luggage where for a small fee you can store you bags and securely and pick them up at a later date. The charges run on a 24-hour system so, the longer you leave them the more expensive it is. However, this can be a great option if you are enroute to New Zealand or Australia and doing a stopover in Fiji. If you are heading out to an island for a couple of days and don't want to slug along all of your luggage with you just take a small bag and leave the rest behind at the Left Luggage.
5. If you are travelling extensively around the South Pacific, consider using Fjij as a hub. The country is in a great location to reach other South Pacific destinations such as Vanuatu, Samoa, Auckland, Sydney and more.
6. Auckland is New Zealand's biggest city however it is still small enough to easily get to know and find your way around without trouble. Metered taxis are readily available and they have a good public bus system including a free bus that does a continuous loop around the central area of Auckland every 10 minutes.
7. Like many cities, Auckland has a tower standing out in the centre of the city. The Sky Tower is home to several restaurants and views from the top give you panoramas of the city and harbour. Try to choose a clear and sunny day for the best views. It is also a great landmark when you are walking around the city and need to get your bearings.
8. When arriving in Auckland you can either take a taxi, bus or shared van into the city centre. Traffic during rush hour makes for a much longer drive (about an hour) and will really increase the fare on a metered taxi while you sit there going no where. If you arrive around morning or dinner rush hour, you are by far best to take a shared van or bus unless you can secure a flat rate with a taxi.
9. To tip or not to tip? Culturally tipping is taken in different manners around the world. In some of the South Pacific, it is even rude and puts an obligation on the receiver to return something back to you. New Zealanders won't think it is rude, but tipping is generally not part of their culture or expected.
10. Remember when you are in New Zealand you are in the Southern Hemisphere and the seasons are reversed. What is summer back home in Canada are the winter months in New Zealand. Although Auckland doesn't get too cold by Canadian standards it is often much wetter than the warmer, dryer months of October and November. Plan your trip accordingly and make sure you pack for the right weather.
www.carlhenderson.ca
www.imagestoframe.com
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