Between August 2nd and 9th, 2014, Fiji will burst into colour with the annual Bula Festival. There’ll be food stalls selling all manner of tropical delights, live music and dancing, cultural performances, games and even a baby show, where you’ll get to see some of the country’s cutest little ones in competition. The action takes place in the cosmopolitan capital city of Nadi, in Koroivulo Park and Prince Charles Park. If you’re planning on taking a trip from 2 – 9 August 2014 to the Pacific, it’s definitely a good time to drop by Fiji.
Where to stay
There’s an abundance of appealing accommodation options – from guesthouses housed within gorgeous airy colonial buildings and contemporary luxury resorts, to rustic village-style bures run by locals and hostels. How you find hotels in Fiji depends on your budget, tastes and the kind of experience you’re hoping to have. One tip is that it’s a good idea to reserve something in advance, especially if you’re planning on travelling when the Bula Festival is on – it’s an incredibly popular event and the country can get pretty busy, especially if you’re looking for a hotel in a prime location.
A quick history
Fiji has a pretty impressive festival calendar. It comes as no surprise, given that local culture has long had a really big emphasis on good food, music and dancing. While some festivals are run by particular religious groups, such as Diwali, which is a Hindu celebration, others are more all-encompassing. The Bula Festival is one of the major events of the year and that’s partly because it’s accessible to, and enjoyable for, nearly everyone. That’s why thousands of revellers flock to Nadi to take part. It has now been running for more than fifty years, having been established back in 1960. Every cent raised goes to the assistance of local charities.
Food, Fijian style
One of the reasons that Fiji is such an in-demand tourist destination is that it offers so many truly luscious sensory experiences. Its food is definitely a large part of that and there’s no better time to sample it than during the Bula Festival. You’ll discover street stalls offering some of the best local cuisine to be had, with freshly caught and cooked seafood, dishes rich with coconut milk, and food that’s been cooked in a traditional lovo – a feast of chicken, fish, meat and vegetables that are marinated in garlic, wrapped in foil and left in a hole full of hot rocks for a few hours. It’s some of the truly tastiest food you’ll eat anywhere in the world.
Dancing and drumming
Fijian dancing and drumming is incredibly infectious. Many tourist resorts offer ‘cultural shows’ as part of their packages, but they certainly can’t compare to what you’ll see at the Bula Festival. They’re far more organic, honest and real, as they develop out of local culture, rather than specifically for a tourist audience. You never know, you might even get the chance to learn a few moves yourself. Mind you, it takes more than a few goes to acquire the hip agility necessary for a convincing performance.
Baby show
The Bula Festival baby show is an interesting cultural phenomenon. Yes, it’s a chance for Fijian mothers to dress up their babies so they’re as cute as possible, providing plenty of ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ moments for both locals and international visitors, but it’s also about promoting good health and growth. Every contestant receives an examination from a local medical official. The babies are judged across four different categories, including age group, overall appearance, dress and feeding habits.
