COMO Laucala Island.
EXPERT EXPAT
Growing up on a farm in Hartley, outside Lithgow, set chef Daniel Boller in good stead when he took up the role as executive chef at COMO Laucala Island four years ago. Located in Fiji’s northern Lau Islands group, he grows fruit, hydroponic vegetables and herbs, and oversees a menagerie of more than 300 chickens, hundreds of contented cattle, and pens of healthy pigs for the luxury property. See comohotels.com
SEE
Bouma Waterfalls on Taveuni Island have beautiful scenery and fresh, clean water to swim in. Go mid-morning when the weather is perfect, and the waterfalls are quiet. Not many tourists go there as it’s far from the hustle and bustle of Nadi and Denarau on the mainland. Don’t forget your camera and reef shoes, as the rocks are sharp and can hurt your feet.
Ehef Daniel Boller took up the role as executive chef at COMO Laucala Island four years ago.
DO
Fiji has the best reefs in the world in my view. I’ve been to many places with popular reefs, like the Maldives and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, but Fiji is the capital of soft coral, and its beauty is infectious. Even if you’re not a diver, you can still go for a snorkel and will see many beautiful colours and an abundance of marine life. The Mamanuca Islands have beautiful snorkelling spots where you can swim over stunning reef sights.
EAT
On my days off, I take a boat from Laucala to Taveuni to The Dive Cafe. It’s right on the water, and in the mornings, I religiously go for fresh coffee and a homemade potato roti wrap. It is a beautiful place where you can clear your thoughts and just relax and enjoy the beautiful view and talk with the sweet Fijian ladies that work there. Their roti wraps are simple but delicious, and you know they’re made with love. See facebook.com/thedivecafe
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DRINK
Drink a glass of fresh Fijian coconut water every day to stay hydrated as this place is always hot and can get quite dry and humid. Not only great for your health, the coconuts in Fiji taste great. You can grab a fresh coconut from most markets or from a local stand by the road, where the friendly farmers will happily open it for you. Laucala Island has a coconut plantation, and a glass of fresh coconut water that came of the tree within the hour is the best start to your day. Even better than coffee.
AVOID
Taxis with no meter, especially from the airport. If they think you’re new to Fiji, the drivers will tell you they give you a good deal but will rip you off. Normally, a fare from Nadi airport to the hotels in Port Denarau is FJ$25, but if you’re trapped in a taxi with no meter, they will charge FJ$70 FJD, so always check for taxis with working meters.
THRIVE
Drink kava and talk with the locals. The best part of Fiji is the people. They are kind and inquisitive, interested in where you are from and what you’re doing, the Bula smile is infectious and your welcomed into the culture with open arms. Trying to get to know them is very respectful to the locals. The best moments I have had in Fiji is sitting down with the locals, with a man manning the kava bowl and passing around their coconut bilo (drinking bowl), the boys singing and playing guitar, and just talking and laughing while we share the bowl of grog. After this you will get the best sleep of your life.
Interview: Belinda Jackson
Know an expat in the know? Contact belinda.jackson@traveller.com.au
