Suva

Nestled into a yawning harbour on the southeastern coast of the big island of Viti Levu, Suva is sticky with sweat and industry, but this is Fiji's confluence of ethnicities and cultures. Within the urban milieu you'll discover the influence of every island and background. And, of course, the best discos, pubs are restaurants are located in Suva.

A top day in Suva

Any day in Suva proceeds at the mandatory pace of 'Fiji Time' which occupies a vague position between sometime and whenever. Even the bugs dally here, so slipping into holiday tempo is effortless. I'd begin my lethargic escapade in with a caffeine and healthy exotic fruit salad breakfast next to the swimming pool... chased almost immediately by one of their sweet, sticky slices (woman cannot live on yoghurt alone), especially the "coconut roll" at any of the Hot Bread Kitchen Backery. If the day in question was a Saturday I might be lucky enough to catch a rugby match at the National Stadium, just down the road. Sure the games are thrilling but the real spectator sport is the sport of the spectators - feasting, dancing, cheering...it's like Santa's 50th anniversary Bar Mitzvah on Christmas day. Even if you don't like sports, it's an amazing spectacle to see. In the absence of a match, I'd head to the second-best people-watching venue in Suva and amble through the botanic grounds of the University of the South Pacific. After burying myself in the bookshop here (you an get quality books on geopolitics, development & local culture), I'd jump on a bus into town and indulge my culture junkie for an hour or two at the Fiji Museum. But spending a whole day indoors is a crime in Fiji, so it's off for a stroll along Victoria Parade and onto Suva's harbourside esplanade, with its hazy mountain backdrop. Then, I'd cut across the city and bury myself in the sari and indian shops of Cumming St, Suva's Little India, and dig into a traditional curry house for lunch. If I had the energy I'd spend the afternoon trekking with a guide through the dense rainforest of Colo-i-Suva Forest Park before ending up enjoying the Suva nightlife at the Dog's Bar for a well-earned Fiji Bitter.

Click here to see our pictures in Suva