Nadi
It was very early when we arrived at Nadi International Airport, and after being welcomed by men playing guitars and ukuleles and singing Fijian songs, we felt we were truly in the islands! Our destination for our first few nights was the Tanoa International Hotel (although we spent the first night at the Trans Hotel) in Nadi.
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After having breakfast at the hotel and settling into our room, we took the local bus to Nadi Town, a unique experience that we enjoyed, and had lunch at the Corner Café. Then we met up with the rest of the family, wandered and shopped along Nadi's main street for Bula shirts for the guys, followed by dinner, a combination of seafood and Chinese food, at Bo Hai Restaurant.
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The next day we explored Port Denarau, a shopping and restaurant complex and the marina where many cruise ships depart. We'd be returning there in two days for our Blue Lagoon cruise. After a little shopping and some terrific ice cream, we experienced a short and slight rain, and then a beautiful rainbow....perhaps a promise of upcoming adventures!
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On our third day we visited the nearby Garden of the Sleeping Giant. Originally designed in 1977 to house Raymond Burr's private collection of tropical orchids, the garden showcases more than 2,000 different kinds and is Fiji's largest orchid collection.
Walkways led past a large lily pond and through lush forests. At the end of our visit, we were served a delicious tropical juice.
Our driver then took us to First Landing, where we had a short stop to see its beautiful beach, and then to Vuda Marina, where we enjoyed lunch at the Boatshed, with a lovely outdoor setting overlooking the water.