Family Road Trips And COVID-19

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, we had planned to take scenic drives around Viti Levu and to try out Fiji’s country living – our take on the age old fantasy of swapping semi-urban living for fresh air and the rural outskirts or the countryside for a weekend.

We imagined the eco friendlier, unplugged retreats that would connect us to the environment or the ocean and so started the plans for a family retreat with our master itinerary planner getting us a big size map of Viti Levu and the many sleepless nights filled with excitement. My sister Faith shares my love for watching family travel blogs – these family travel bloggers inspire us with their favourite family road trip ideas from around the world.

Viti Levu

Viti Levu is home to many of Fiji’s wonderful touristic spots with super beautiful beaches, reefs, old stories and tales of ancient forts and trails, mountain peaks, sparkling rivers, the sand dunes and scenic country road for the family photo album. But, if you want a less cosmopolitan influence, Fiji’s other big island, Vanua Levu and the rest of the islands that make up Fiji’s archipelago are destinations to explore.

A map of Viti Levu

We took the Kings Road returning to Suva and to fully complete our Viti Levu trip – this time, our parents joined us with sing-alongs and short quizzes on the Biblical characters, geography and every other topic we could think of.

We took short stops in Ba Town, Tavua Town, Rakiraki Town and Korovou Town and bought authentic Indian sweets from the roadside bean carts while we made our way home. The East Coast dirt road that branches off the King’s Road is a beautiful and alternative route to take if one is driving a four-wheel vehicle. There are no wrong turns on a Fiji road trip!

Takalana retreat overlooking Moon Reef is the East Coast’s hidden paradise and another favourite place of ours. We have gone on a day trip to watch dolphins and have snorkeled at Moon Reef when I was a little younger and have always looked forward to a Takalana visit. Many of the stops along the East Coast road are reminiscent of Tropical Cyclone Winston’s footprints and stories of resilience and trails of climate change related narratives.

At the end of our weekend road trip, I argue you will find no grander adventure than our own backyard setting!

The less travelled road

We are planning on another road trip but travelling the road less travelled – Queens Road to Lautoka, Kings Road to Ba and then back roads to Navala, Bukuya and Sigatoka and then back to Suva through hidden scenic views in the mountains and the valleys, passing through villages where time stands still and the infectious Bula salutation reflects the real Bula bubble! ‘Till next week – I hope to write more about domestic tourism.

Feedback: rosi.doviverata@fijisun.com.fj