Memories have a way of holding us, like an invisible string, between where we currently are, and where we once were. Sometimes its a fragrance or a song, when heard or smelt we are instantly transported back to that moment in time. Like the smell of over-fire outside-cooking when you get off the plane in Nadi. The heat, the smell, the familiar bula smiles. Hits you hard - like the feeling of home. It's great when those memories are good ones, and we can get lost in those day-dreamy thoughts for hours. Not so much when the memory is a traumatic or sad one, those thoughts can torment us (me - fo ..read more

Today in Woolworths I bumped into a Fijian friend. She is heading back home to Suva shortly for Christmas. I have until the 13th of this month to cancel our accommodation. Yet I cannot bring myself to do it. Even though we don’t have flights booked and last time I checked, OMG it was $6k AUD for four of us return. We have a big lot of expenses coming up - including my Daughter getting braces in the new year. It’s like a scale in my brain is balancing both: Braces or Fiji... Braces or Fiji... Braces or Fiji! I know what my head is saying, but oh man, my heart is screaming something else. On th ..read more

First things first, our new Tshirts have arrived. This time last year we were in serious count down mode. 9 days and counting before we hopped aboard the plane from Brisbane Airport heading to our island home of Fiji. It was also 10 days until my daughter turned double-digit 10!! So it was a really exciting time... (she is turning 11 in 10 days and her reminder to me this morning of this very fact made me think of how we were deep in Fiji mode this time last year!) A couple of weeks ago, I drove past the same van with the Fiji number plate which I wrote about last year Here. I haven't seen tha ..read more

When I started this blog website, I never imagined I would reach 100 readers. Two days ago, 12,000+ readers ticked over on the stat counter. To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement. It feels kind of strange that my personal feelings have been read by so many people, and yes I know how ridiculous that sounds given I write a blog (the very purpose of which is for people to find on the internet and read). Anyway, I want to thank all of you who have taken the time to read. I also need to thank Fiji - Vinaka Viti! For without the experiences I’ve encountered living in Suva, and without the peo ..read more

Starting a business in Fiji is an exciting and bold way to start a new life in Fiji. Expats often come upon life in Fiji through an employment offer, however, if you aren't moving to Fiji on a work contract, you may be considering investing in Fiji through starting your own business. Fiji is very protective of their jobs, and rightly so, especially the jobs in which a local citizen could undertake. The same goes with the businesses which foreigners can own and operate. And you will find that there are many businesses which as non-residents of Fiji you will not be able to participate in. Fiji I ..read more

Last week driving down the main highway of the Gold Coast in Australia, we saw a car drive past with a Fiji Rugby sticker on it's side window. It wasn't long before my eldest daughter and I looked at each other and simultaneously shouted "IT'S A SIGN!". Having lived in Fiji for a number of years, and now splitting our time between both Fiji as expats, and living in Australia, we do have a certain connection with the island nation. Is our connection driving our perception? Are we seeing genuine 'signs' or is it our minds seeking out opportunities to enjoy our love for Fiji more? As we approach ..read more

You've been offered the job of a lifetime working in Fiji, and as dreadful as it sounds to escape to a tropical paradise (I'm joking!).. you've decided to pack up the family and all your worldly possessions to move to Fiji. But... you've never even set foot in the tropical island! Where is this tropical paradise you've only seen on television advertisements offering endless pink sunsets whilst gorgeous sun-kissed lovers look lovingly into eachother's eyes and sip a perfectly poured cocktail in an infinity pool overlooking the pacific ocean? Sorry friend, but your dreams are about to be shatte ..read more

Life in Fiji as an Expat is fun. Well most of the time, and especially once you've got the hang of it. I have a lot of email conversations with people planning their move to Fiji as an Expat or considering making the move, and I have to say, many don't understand just how different life will be. No offence to anyone as I was exactly the same - I even wrote about my ,first week as an expat in Suva and if you read it, you will see it wasn't pretty. My attitude was not all rainbows and lollipops. So here it is, 3 things you should understand before you become an expat living in Suva, Fiji. It is ..read more

Today the Fiji Men's Rugby 7s team won the HSBC Canada 7s in Vancouver with a thrilling Cup Final against their Kenyan brothers. That in itself is exciting, but not really a surprise - Rugby 7s is Fiji's game. There were two remarkable things I noticed today watching the game. The first was Fiji 7s Captain, Jerry Tuwai, aggressively chasing down his Kenyan opponent William Ambaka and then hugging him immediately afterwards. As if to say Aussie style "maaaate, sorry about that". And the second was the way in which both teams embraced afterwards. The game today was an incredible showcase (a pe ..read more

Almost three years ago our family went through a pretty traumatic event whilst living in Sigatoka in Fiji's Coral Coast. At the time, it felt like the sky of our world had come crashing down upon us. It was a perfect storm of things going wrong. A perfect storm of which we did not (at the time) wish on our worst enemies. But before I continue with that, a bit of background to set the scene right. I have grown up a 'Catholic girl' - attending Catholic schools, attending mass each Sunday. I did all the 'right things' in learning my bible stories and praying the rosary. My Husband was never a be ..read more