Suva, Fiji Travel Tips

Docks at King’s Wharf

Attending Church in Suva:

We will be in Suva on Sunday so many things will be shut. Some stores and the Suva Museum open on any Sunday a ship is in port (the military takeover from a few years ago changed the Blue Laws.

We went to church in Fiji.  Please read the review if you are interested. Many people try to go to church when in a Pacific Island nation on Sunday. They love to hear Pacific Islanders sing.  Beautiful. Someone will always share their hymn book with you.

Protestant Church:  Centenary Methodist Church is a 9-minute walk from King’s Wharf in Suva.  Services are at 10:00 AM

Catholic Church: Sunday masses are at 7:00, 8:30, 10:00, 5:00pm and 7:00pm. The 10:00 a.m. service is standing room only which is always nice to see, very friendly congregation and some lovely hymns (guitar accompaniment) to tunes that were melodious as well as easy to sing along to. The service is in English.

Tappoocity and Proud’s Shopping Mall very near Jack’s of Fiji were open. Again, lots of private tour operators were at the dock gate. Many passengers, not doing tours, can walk around town or all the way to the Presidential Palace passing shops, the Government buildings, Albert Park, Thurston Garden, etc.  The currency is Fijian Dollars although you can use credit cards and AUS$.

I Cola Park: Here’s an idea for those who want to stay close to the city and still see a rainforest:

http://www.experiencesuva.com/colo-i-suva-experience-a-tropical-rainforest-on-the-edge-of-the-city/

The following information is from cruise critic sources, not the author.

Ship tour: We booked the Jewel Of Fiji tour which was a fantastic cultural day tour. The drive was approx. 1 hour in duration to a local village where we participated in a traditional Kava welcome ceremony, viewed some presentations on local art and the use of coconuts, learned about the history of the village and viewed village cooking techniques. Lunch was a traditional Fijian buffet with beautiful meats cooked in the ground, fish kokoda salad, curries, and a sandwich bar. After lunch, we went on a 20-minute long boat cruise over the rapids until we reached a rainforest where after a 5-minute walk we came across a beautiful waterfall to swim in. Back on the longboat to the village and back to ship, this was definitely a tour to rave about and fantastic for a cultural insight into Fiji.

Some people from Cruise Critic organized these tours:

https://www.moanatoursfiji.com/ 

General Information about Suva:

Suva is on southeast coast of the “main island” of Fiji, Viti Levu. Suva became the capital of Fiji in 1877. Fiji’s tallest building, the Reserve Bank of Fiji Building, is in Suva.

Suva tends to be the major commercial and political center of Fiji, which Nadi is the major tourist centre.

While dress is less conservative in the city than the villages, women should dress fairly modestly (ie shirts for men, no bare stomachs for women).

Use a taxi as they are affordable and easy to access. The local buses are also straightforward and cost only 70 cents.

Suva Municipal Market  (Monday thru Satuday) Right in Suva town are these fruit and vegetable markets. Sells all kinds of different tropical fruit and veges.

Municipal Handicraft Centre To the left of the fruit and vege markets are the Suva handicraft markets. Rows full of Fijian wooden carvings, straw goods and Fijian handicraft souvenirs. Don’t be afraid to bargain with the shop owners for a better price! (open on Sunday afternoons also)

The Fiji Museum costs $7 FJ, a nice place to get the history of Fiji and see artifacts from all around the South Pacific.

There are very few beach-related pastimes in Suva, though there are some beaches used by locals on the east side of the peninsula.

Besides handicrafts, tourist t-shirts and bula shirts, interesting shopping is fairly limited. Jacks had very good prices and a nice assortment of chothing. However, if you’re doing an extended trip to remote places, it is a good place to stock up on things from the grocery store (biggest one at MHCC) and the chemist.

The Indian influence from the significant population in Suva is evident in the food. The Indian food in town is authentic, tasty, and good value.

• Singh’s Curry House, Corner of Gordon Street & Victoria Parade, Suva. Sells cheap and delicious authentic Fijian curry. Eat in or takeaway.  edit

For something upscale, try a restaurant inside one of the fancier Suva hotels, such as the Tanoa Plaza, the Southern Cross, or the Holiday Inn. For a quick economical meal in pleasant surroundings, go to the food court upstairs at the Harbour Centre and choose from a great variety of local and Chinese dishes (and you get to look before you buy) and sit and enjoy the view, or get a sack of fish and chips and sit by the waterfront or at the botanical garden.

• Ashiyana. A good Indian restaurant.

• Maya Dhaba. This is more up-market than Ashiyana, but has great food. The prawns malabar, butter chicken and naan bread are good bets here.

• Fr, Queen Elizabeth Drive (Just down from Suva Grammar School). The best fish & chips in town. The location also features a bar and a coffee shop. $8-10 FJD.  edit
• Scott’s, Southern Cross Hotel. High-end European cuisine. The best steaks in town.  edit
• Palm Court Bistro, QBE Centre, Victoria parade (next o ANZ Bank building), ☎9962251, [1]. 7am-5pm. Outdoor Cafe, relaxed atmosphere. Palm Court Bistro has an all-day breakfast menu, however, they are renowned for their freshly made sandwiches made to order from the sandwich bar. $7-$15fjd.  edit

• Bulaccinos. This is a western style coffee shop with excellent food. They make the best bread on the island, which can be purchased to take away. Open for breakfast and lunch only.

There are food courts at the top of MHCC and Tapoo. They offer excellent value for money and can be very good.

Suva does have several western-style fast-food outlets available, including two McDonald’s.

Suva is a friendly city, but there are some pickpockets and thieves. Avoid people who approach you asking for your name and country. They often want to lead you to a shop and then try to sell you some overpriced souvenirs they have handcraft themselves. Prices for their goods are very overpriced, and never purchase anything from these places.You will often be approached by homeless people sitting in the park.

Embassies

• United States, 158 Princes Road, Tamavua, ☎ +679 331-4466(consularsuva@state.gov), [7].