ShoreTrips says...

Say "bula" (hello) to the friendly Fijian town of Nadi.

This tour begins with an explosion of color at the beautiful, tranquil Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Located at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands, the gardens were once the private collection of actor Ramond Burr, who rose to fame in the 50's and 60's television series, Perry Mason. Showcasing more than 2,000 varieties of plants, many of them indigenous to Fiji, the garden is perfect for strolling, with a canopy-covered boardwalk, lily ponds with trickling fountains, and a dense rainforest. When you've completed your exploration of this botanical oasis, a cold, fruity drink will be a welcome treat.

It's always interesting and fun to discover what treasures local markets hold. You'll stop at the Nadi fruit and vegetable market to browse its unique offerings.

A visit to the beautiful, colorful Sri Siva Subramaniya Hindu Temple, the largest in the southern hemisphere, might make you wonder why there is a Hindu temple in Fiji. The answer is that Indians were brought to Fiji by British colonial rulers during the late 1800s and early 1900s as indentured servants to work on Fiji's sugar cane plantations. After colonial rule ended, the former servants were absorbed into the general population and Indo-Fijians now account for approximately 38% of Fiji's population.

Your final stop provides some time to shop in Nadi town for that perfect souvenir of your visit to Fiji.