SUVA, FIJI

Throughout its history, Fiji has evolved from a collection of traditional societies to a modern nation with a diverse population and a complex mix of cultural influences. Its journey has been shaped by interactions with indigenous Fijians, Indo-Fijians, and European powers, as well as struggles for political representation, land rights, and national identity.

• Fiji's history dates back to around 3500 years ago when the first settlers, likely of Polynesian and Melanesian origin, arrived in the islands. They brought with them their distinct cultures and languages.
• The Fijian society developed into a collection of chiefdoms with various levels of political organization and social structure.
• Warfare, trade, and cultural interactions among different island groups contributed to the shaping of Fijian society.
• European contact with Fiji began in the 17th century, with explorers and traders visiting the islands. The most significant period of European influence began in the late 18th century when British explorer Captain James Cook visited Fiji. This marked the start of increased European interest in the region.
• In the early 19th century, Christian missionaries arrived and began converting Fijians to Christianity.
• Fiji was officially ceded to the British Crown in 1874 by the Fijian chiefs as a way to counterbalance French influence in the region.
• The British colonial administration introduced indentured labour from India to work on sugarcane plantations, beginning in the late 19th century. This led to the arrival of a large Indian community, which has significantly shaped Fiji's cultural landscape.
• Fiji achieved self-governance in 1960 and became fully independent in 1970, while still maintaining close ties with the British Commonwealth.
• The political landscape was marked by tensions between the indigenous Fijian population and the Indo-Fijian community, with several coups and political upheavals.
• Fiji experienced a series of military coups in 1987, leading to shifts in political power and governance. The 1990 Constitution established a system that favoured indigenous Fijians, leading to tensions and controversies.
• In 2000, another coup occurred, followed by more political turmoil and international pressure for a return to democratic governance.
• The early 2000s saw efforts towards reconciliation and constitutional reforms to address the political and ethnic tensions.
• In 2006, another military coup led by Commodore Frank Bainimarama took place, resulting in his government taking control.
• Over the years, Bainimarama's government implemented constitutional changes and held elections to restore democratic governance.
• Fiji's political climate has remained relatively stable since, with a focus on rebuilding the economy and fostering unity among the diverse ethnic groups.

BULA - WELCOME TO FIJI

After a warm, sunny and calm passage to Fiji yesterday, the view from our balcony this morning over the busy port of Suva is grey with misting rain. We have been to Fiji a number of times, so have not organised any shore excursions through Princess. Fiji was a brief stop on our first ever flight in 1966 on our way to take up a teaching position in Canada and again in 1972 when we returned with a five year old daughter and a suitcase filled with memories. We stayed a week in Nadi exploring the island and taking a sailing ship out to one of the outer tropical islands. It was an exciting time.  So when (if) the mist clears we will take a walk downtown where the locals typically greet the tourists with ‘Bula’.

Twenty years ago, cruise ships would typically hire a bus free to passengers to take a trip down town to and from an appointed place where they would shuttle back and forth. Not any more. Over the years there has been clear evidence of cost cutting everywhere for company profits. A bus tour around an island starts at $250 each for a tour of 3 or 4 hours. Then there are full day tours, involving kayaking, scuba diving, zip lines, local ceremonies (like Cava drinking), treks to volcanoes, lakes and waterfalls - even more expensive. An interesting change was to remove trays from self-serve eating areas.  Now one can only take up a plate to load an intended meal. This has prevented passengers taking and wasting too much food to their tables. We notice a glass of juice is considerably smaller and that milk is provided in a glass of just the right size for your cereal rather than in a jug from which there would be wastage. I imagine there are teams of expert estimators who run their rulers over everything to save a dollar here or there and those dollars add up to millions. I am not complaining about it. It is simply big business at work.

So, we did venture out into the town area by the port, still very light rain and humid as Fiji always is. It wasn’t long before we stumbled into a fabric shop that caught Michele’s eye, as it always does. Two pieces of brightly patterned Fijian/Hawaiian cloth were soon out the door. M makes her own dresses and is regularly complimented by women who think her ten dollar dresses are very elegant indeed!

Next stop American Samoa and Pago Pago.