Programs Blog

Author: Bryce Raymond, Florida AandM University

Day 5 on the island nation of Fiji. Where the days are young and the nights are long. In my short time here, I can never get enough of this small yet magnificent Island known to us as Viti Levu. So far this island has presented so many wonders, including but not limited to the beautiful beaches, the glistening corals, and even the flying foxes that glide through the night skies. There are so many things that I wish to explore on this island that I can’t help but be filled with gleeful wonder.

Today on Viti Levu our group decided to explore the capital city of Suva. Where we would not only look at the museum here in Suva but also get the chance to look at city life here on the island. While exploring the city today we were able to gather and learn more about the people who lived here and how they lived. From what I’d gathered about life in the city it seems to be a place where many different cultures are gathered and accepted a place where for the most part people are free to live and follow the religion that they choose to believe in.

The people of this island relative to where we stay are very nice and genuine people who have a strong relationship with their ancestor and their land. While talking to one of the locals named Baba who owned a local shop in Suva. He explained to me that he was born on a nearby island and currently stays and lives here in Suva. While talking to him I explained to him that where I come from our beaches aren’t nearly as nice and clear as the one here on Viti Levu. He found it weird and was slightly concerned as to why we didn’t truly take care of our beaches to prevent that from happening. This may be one of the main reasons why the beaches and some of their corals are so beautiful here in Fiji because the residents here have a stronger relationship with their ocean. Having to live in a coastal region like Florida and experiencing the Caribbean islands like those in Haiti. I can say that some of these beaches are some of the nicest beaches I have personally ever seen. When I do eventually leave this place I hope that the beaches survive and continue to grow. Having this been only my first week out here on this grand island it makes me wonder. What may be next in store as we continue to explore Fiji in these next couple of days?