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KAVA BOWL
To my dad’s dismay we drank kava a number of times. It was mostly after dinner, when we sat down around the kava bowl to hear each resort’s string band. They play amazing music. I have never visited a country where so many people are so musically talented. It seems everyone knows how to play the guitar, sing and dance beautifully -- men, women and children. It also seems to be primarily men who drink kava, although I did see a few women (and even a couple of tourist children). However, the men -- especially those in the string bands -- appear to do nothing but play music and drink kava all night long. I know the Food and Drug Administration has warned of a possible link between kava and liver failure, but if they want to get the tests done right they should come here. The Bula Boys guesstimated they drink between 50 and 100 bowls each night. That’s a lot of kava! After three bowls I was feeling fine.

TRADITIONAL CEREMONY
If you get a chance, try to attend a traditional Fijian ceremony. We got lucky, because the Cousteau resort was having a huge shindig to celebrate their 10th anniversary. These ceremonies start out very seriously, but after the formalities they turn into an old school fun party. Just like in the old days, the chief attended, and the ceremony lasted for a couple of hours. During the actual ceremony it is very rude to talk or move. In the old days, if you did either you would be clubbed to death (I feel bad for anyone who had to go the bathroom). When the chief showed up with his body guards, everyone got quiet real quick. Throughout the ceremony the chief was brought all kinds of gifts (mats, kava and a 400-pound pig). Then it was time to drink kava. After my third bowl I started to feel a little loopy -- not because it had any real effect, but because it was very hot, and I was exhausted from sitting with my legs crossed. All I wanted to do was stand up and stretch. Then I saw the big ol’ dude holding a big ol’ wooden club, and I decided I liked sitting with my legs crossed.

MEKES
After the ceremony and speeches, there was a big party with mekes (dances) and song/chants. Mekes, an essential part of Fijian culture, are usually narratives of some important happening. They can either be handed down from generation to generation, or created for a particular event. Then comes everyone’s favorite part: the huge feast. They had so much food: pork, chicken, fish, salads, local vegetables and fresh fruit. They also served all kinds of treats, and coffee and tea.

CHECKING OUT OTHER REOSRTS
Many visitors who come to Fiji travel around to different areas of the country to get a feel for the diverse landscape. Even visiting other resorts on the same island can be a vastly different experience. This trip we stayed just on Vanua Levu, Fiji’s second largest island. But we did sleep in three resorts, and as you will see each is quite unique.



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