Introducing Nadi

Something of a perennial adolescent, Fiji's third-largest city Nadi (pronounced nan-di) seems to be in a constant pursuit of identity. Not sure whether it's a city, tourist junction or business hub, it seems to have settled on urban centre for the time being. The population resides in several villages strung out along and just off the Queens Road, and the northern horizon is dominated by the Nausori Highlands, which loom hazily over town.

For visitors most action takes place in busy, dusty 'downtown' where Main St provides 1km or so of shopping, eating and other commercial options. In the back streets small businesses cater to everything from auto needs to sunburn. Most visitors use Nadi as a stopover to acclimatise and make the most of the infrastructure before heading out to more picturesque locales. If you're looking for something quieter Lautoka with its more authentic atmosphere is a better option. There is also accommodation between the two towns at Vuda Point and near the Sabeto Mountain Range. Nadi makes no bones about the fact that it's no idyllic snapshot of Fiji, but once you've got your head around this you're likely to enjoy the place more. As one wise traveller said, 'It is what it is'.