|
|
Fiji Holiday Facts
|
 |
Fiji Quick Facts:
Number of Islands: 330 (Viti Levu = main island)
Capital: Suva ; International Airport: Nadi
Population: 800,000
Time: 12 hours behind GMT
Currency: F dollar
Languages: Fijian, English and Hindustani
The Republic of the Fiji is the official name of the islands. Fiji lies south of the equator in the south west pacific ocean, west of Tonga, Samoa, the Cook Islands and east of Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
Fiji Health Issues
Mosquitoes are present in most parts of Fiji but are really only an annoyance during the wet season between December and April, and in this period only after heavy rains. Some areas can be particularly bad, especially those near the still waters of the mangrove forests. Affected resorts tend to spray the undergrowth to kill the mosquitoes and some resorts provide mosquito nets. The smaller offshore island resorts are mostly free from mosquitoes due to a constant sea breeze.
The country is free from malaria, yellow fever and most other diseases endemic in tropical countries. The exception is the occasional outbreak of dengue fever which is spread by mosquitoes as well as the disfiguring disease of Leprosotisis. Dengue outbreaks occur when the wet season is very wet, and are usually restricted to the populated towns. When an outbreak does occur, spraying is the one thing Fiji does quickly.
Water is safe to drink and few tourists suffer from stomach upsets. The only real threat is the Sun - sunstroke, prickly heat and other skin irritations are quite common, the latter especially so in the more humid season between December and April. Take light, airy clothes. Local private doctors and pharmacies are good although hospitals can provide only basic accident and emergency operations.
HIV Aids is becoming a problem in Fiji, particularly in the towns where prostitution is high. Homosexuality is illegal whether in privacy or in public display
Fiji Electricity
Electricity is 240 AC voltage (same as UK, Australia and New Zealand) but if you come from the US you will probably need a convertor. Sockets are three pronged, the upper two prongs being angled and flat, the lower prong being circular.
Fiji Communication
The international calling code for Fiji is (679). Telephone lines are reliable and most resorts have e-mail connection. A few resorts have public Internet access and there are several Internet Cafes springing up around Nadi, Lautoka and Suva. Postcards are sold in all resort boutiques and at most of the tourist shops in Nadi and Suva. The quality of postcards has recently improved quite significantly. Sending cards and letters abroad is exceptionally cheap and handling is efficient.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
