Suva

Suva is Fiji's capital, built on a hilly peninsula on the southeast coast of Viti Levu. Ships dock at King's Wharf, near the city centre. The Fiji Museum, in Thurston Gardens, has a collection of double-hulled canoes, war clubs, and other Pacific artifacts, and is worth an hour. The Suva Municipal Market, a large covered building nearby, sells tropical fruit, kava root, fresh fish, and woven tapa cloth. The produce section alone is colourful enough to justify a visit. Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, about 20 minutes by taxi, has short walking trails through rainforest that lead to natural swimming holes fed by waterfalls. Kokoda, raw fish marinated in lime and coconut cream, is the local equivalent of ceviche and is served at most restaurants. A kava ceremony is easy to arrange through shore excursion operators. English is widely spoken. The Fijian dollar is the currency, and "Bula" is the standard greeting you will hear constantly.