While we all stay home, a new sort of travel is taking place known as armchair travels. But that doesn’t mean you still can’t experience all the Fiji has to offer. From books, movies, podcasts, recipes and virtual reality escapes, Fiji is still accessible to explore—it will just have to be done from your home for now.
Here are seven different ways to keep dreaming of Fiji from your armchair.
As they say in Fiji — Sota Tale….see you soon!
Read This: Sevens Heaven: The Beautiful Chaos of Fiji’s Olympic Dream by Ben Ryan
This uplifting and feel-good autobiography of Ben Ryan—coach of the 2016 Olympic gold medal winning Fijian rugby team—will transport you to the rugby-crazed nation of Fiji. Follow the tale of the red-haired 40-year-old Englishman who was given 20 minutes to decide if he wanted to coach Fiji’s rugby seven’s team. Follow the adventure of what comes next after saying yes, as he navigates traditional healing medicine men, rugby-obsessed prime ministers, devastating natural disasters and intense friendships that ultimately lead to him creating 12 Fijian Rugby Player legends that the whole nation would forever celebrate.
Watch This: Castaway
In this 2000 classic movie, Tom Hanks (who, yes, is also a recent survivor of COVID-19) plays a stranded Fed Ex executive who undergoes a physical and emotional transformation after crash landing on a deserted island in the South Pacific. You can also virtually visit the picturesque Monuriki Island, where the movie was filmed. Simply enter the coordinates -17.609277, 177.0397 into Google Maps, zoom all the way in on satellite mode and explore from the comfort of your couch.
Also Watch This: The Blue Lagoon (original version)
How’s this for a Fijian adventure turned romance? When two children (one of them being a very young Brooke Shields) become shipwrecked on a tropical island in the South Pacific with no adults to guide them, the two make a simple life together. Shot in the stunning Yasawa Islands, this blue lagoon is as pristine now as it was 40 years ago. And a little fun fact: after seeing this movie, a reptile scientist at the University of the South Pacific realised that the iguanas which appear in the film were a distinct species that had never been documented by scientists before. Now known as the Fiji crested iguana, it is regarded as being critically endangered and many resorts in the Mamanuca Islands are doing their part to restore natural habitats so the reptiles can thrive.
Listen To: The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
This podcast episode discusses Fiji and “Empowerment Tourism”. Based on first-hand experience, learn about what it’s like to travel to Fiji and truly connect with locals on remote islands in the Ba district, find out first-hand the hard work that goes into husking a coconut to make coconut milk and discover the importance of community in Fijian villages.
https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/jackrabbitfm/the-thoughtful-travel-podcast/e/55356931
Eat This: Coconut Cardamom Fudge by Flavours of Fiji
You don’t have to go to Fiji to learn how to cook like the locals! While Flavours of Fiji normally teaches visitors their homestyle recipes and cooking techniques in Nadi, you can follow this recipe to make your own Indo-Fijian fudge at home.
Ingredients:
3 cups sugar
125g butter
3 Tbsp golden syrup
½ cup milk
½ tsp salt
200g sweetened condensed milk
1 cup desiccated coconut
2 tsp ground cardamom
Instructions:
Line a medium baking dish with baking paper
Place all ingredients (except coconut and cardamom) in a large pot. Place on low heat and cook until sugar has dissolved—about 10 minutes.
Bring to a boil and cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches soft ball stage (120° C). To test, drop some mixture into a glass of cold water, it should hold a soft, flexible ball.
Stir through coconut and cardamom until combined.
Allow to cool for 5minutes, then stir continuously for 10 minutes, until thick and no longer shiny.
Pour into prepared dish and place in fridge to cool before slicing into squares.
Drink This: Malolo Mojito by Six Senses Fiji
Make you next at home happy hour Fijian themed! Six Sense Fiji on Malolo Island often use probiotics, tonics, kombuchas and bitters—instead of your typical mixer—for their Fiji cocktails. Follow the below recipe to make your own Malolo Mojito at home!
Ingredients:
Handful of fresh mint
1 tsp of organic sugar
60ml Barcadi
Soda water
Ice cubes
Instructions:
Muddle fresh mint into a tall glass with a teaspoon of organic sugar.
Add ice and 60ml of Bacardi, top with soda water and mix together.
Top with a mint garnish.
Explore: 360° videos of Fiji
You don’t have to leave your home to still enjoy this tropical island nation of 333 islands. In fact, happiness can still reach you in your living room! Fiji is known for offering a diversity of experiences and the same applies to how you can virtually experience Fiji anytime you want without having to leave your home. Check out these 360° videos on YouTube to explore the various islands for yourself.
Relax With: a live sunset-cam
Tune into the live feed over Marriott Momi Bay to never miss another fiery Fiji sunset or calming sunrise during a time when we could really use it the most. Enjoy the serene lagoon waters and keep an eye on the overwater bungalows and beachfront bures that will be there waiting for you to return.
Entertain the kids with: VOMO’s Kids Village Channel
If you need to keep your kids busy, then VOMO, in the Mamanuca Islands has launched a Kids Village channel on YouTube which will do the trick! The concept conducts the regular activities that families would experience as if they were staying at VOMO and attending kids club. VOMO uses former Hi-5 member, Tim Maddren, as the Presenter and includes activities such as basket weaving and cooking classes.
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