Pocas metas son tan evocadoras como Fiji y Bali.
Ocupando un lugar significativo en la imaginación de la mayoría de los viajeros, especialmente los australianos y neozelandeses durante los meses invernales, estos dos lugares evocan imágenes de playas interminables, olas de surf llenas de adrenalina, bosques tropicales y experiencias culturales únicas. ¿Quién no querría reservar boletos para alguno de ellos?
Desafortunadamente, a veces es necesario tomar decisiones difíciles, y los viajeros precisan de experiencia para valorar los méritos de estas dos tierras de ensueño vacacionales. Por ello, hemos consultado a un par de expertos apasionados para defender el caso de la fascinante Fiji y la hermosa Bali.
Enamorarse de Fiji
Chantae Reden, escritora de aventuras y fotógrafa, rara vez se aleja de la costa. Ha recorrido en motocicleta Timor-Leste, practicado buceo con tiburones toro en Fiji y nadado junto a ballenas jorobadas en Tonga, entre otras aventuras.
La cálida y tropical bienvenida del clima te recibe tan pronto como sales del asfalto, tanto en Bali como en Fiji. Sin embargo, no encontrarás a multitudes de conductores clamando por tu atención en el aeropuerto internacional principal de este último. (Por supuesto, siempre hay un taxista disponible cuando lo necesitas.) La hospitalidad relajada de Fiji comienza desde el momento en que llegas y continúa hasta que escuchas el dulce sonido de “Isa Lei”, la emotiva canción de despedida de las islas.
He llamado hogar a la nación de 333 islas de Fiji durante los últimos siete años, y su espíritu relajado y alegre bula es verdaderamente contagioso. Aunque Bali también está cerca de mi corazón (después de todo, escribí una guía sobre la Isla de los Dioses), Fiji merece ser tu próxima escapada isleña.
Naturaleza virgen
Las maravillas naturales de Fiji son limpias y rara vez están abarrotadas. Fiji cuenta con menos de un millón de habitantes repartidos por sus cientos de islas, y realmente solo hay tráfico en las ciudades a las que pocos turistas se aventuran. A diferencia de Bali, cuyas playas sufren de multitudes y contaminación plástica, las extensiones de arena blanca de Fiji se mantienen inmaculadas durante todo el año.
En Fiji, es sencillo encontrar la soledad en la naturaleza. La custodia de los territorios Fijianos por parte de las aldeas hace que las cascadas y las rutas de senderismo sean un poco más complicadas de acceder sin un guía, comparado con Bali. Sin embargo, el esfuerzo realmente vale la pena. Puedes ascender al pico más alto de Fiji, el monte Tomanivi, en Viti Levu, o buscar la rara flor tagimoucia en la isla de Taveuni, sin toparte con nadie. Aventúrate a las Islas Lau, una región sin hoteles formales ni aeropuertos, solo accesible por barco, y es poco probable que te encuentres con otros turistas.
En cuanto a los hoteles: están distribuidos a lo largo de las islas, lo que significa que no tienes que pelear por un lugar a la sombra ni lidiar con vendedores de playa insistentes. Incluso los mercados locales son un agrado para visitar, con la mayoría de los comerciantes adoptando una actitud de “llévatelo si te gusta, no pasa nada si no” acerca de sus pilas de coloridos productos frescos.
Si tienes pequeños viajeros que satisfacer, Bali y Fiji son destinos de primer nivel para familias. Pero es Fiji la que se destaca cuando se trata de una cultura y entretenimiento amigables para niños. He visto a guardias de seguridad en los hoteles dejar su puesto para iniciar un partido de rugby con los niños. Viajar por las islas con mis gemelos bebés me ha brindado un vistazo de lo que significa ser tratado como una celebridad. La mayoría de los resorts cuentan con clubes para niños y niñeras a precios accesibles; tanto padres como hijos pueden disfrutar de las vacaciones que sueñan.
Olas que valen la pena el viaje
Tanto
Bali and Fiji both offer prestigious surf competitions at their exceptional waves. Although I can’t ignore the breathtaking waves of Uluwatu and Padang Padang in Bali, Fiji equally impresses with its renowned Cloudbreak and Restaurants swells. Reaching most of Fiji’s surf spots involves a boat journey unlike Bali’s simpler accessibility. This, however, helps reduce crowds, making them ideal only for veteran surfers.
Beneath the waves, one can gaze through a diving mask to witness an array of marine life, large and small. Imagine encountering manta rays, sea turtles, countless varieties of reef fish, and reef sharks around Fiji’s vivid coral ecosystems. It’s also among the few spots globally where diving freely with bull sharks is feasible — should you choose to take the plunge.
The generosity of Fijian welcomes spans beyond the resorts. Presenting a sevusevu, a ceremonial offering like yaqona (pepper root), as you enter a village is a tradition, and warm introductions follow. Spend time savoring kava from coconut shells, dancing, and indulging in local dishes such as freshly caught seafood, taro prepared in coconut milk, and smoked meats. On weekends, be uplifted by choral church music or immerse in Hindu festivities within Indo-Fijian sections of Suva, Nadi, and Labasa.
Regardless of the destination, anticipate an enthusiastic “Bula!” and heartfelt hospitality. Such warmth? Bali just cannot compete.
Place Your Wager on Bali
Mark Eveleigh resided in Bali for a year during 2022, and continues visiting a West Balinese village where his collection of books and surplus surfboards remain.
The saying goes that small packages can contain remarkable things. I fell for the diminutive island of Bali two decades ago, having since traversed the island entirely. Still today, Bali astonishes with its breadth within an area smaller than a third of Fiji’s size.
Globally renowned for its beaches and celebrated accommodations, Bali hosts some of the plushest and costliest retreats. Fortunately, enjoying Bali doesn’t require endless spending – cozy up in a bungalow with ocean views at just $20.
Popularity for these attractions is undeniable; nevertheless, just a small segment of tourists, even seasoned expatriates, stray past Ubud’s artistic and yoga core. Venture somewhat farther, and towering jungle ravines alongside tiered paddy landscapes resembling colossal steps lead to sacred summits.
Charm beyond the sand
Do not take for granted Bali is merely sand. A short excursion lasting half a day (faster on a rented scooter) leads you to the stillness of the uplands. Bali’s magnificent volcanic terrains extend westward from the holy peak of Gunung Agung (at 3412m / 11,195ft, it’s significantly more than double the height of Fiji’s tallest point) past the continuously active Batur to the infrequently explored rainforests of Mount Batukaru.
Cultural experiences on the Island of the Gods are omnipresent; they are genuinely widespread, with the vivid ceremonies of Balinese Hinduism enacted in small townships, amongst the budget traveler spots in Kuta, and near Seminyak’s trendy beaches. Venture further afield, and you might perceive certain likenesses with distant Fiji. Just as in Fijian customary societies, rural communities are primarily overseen by a council of senior members, called the banjar. At Mekare-kare festivals, where younger fighters of Tenganan engage with pandan “swords” to draw blood, or during the daily departures of jukung (outrigger fishing boats) into the crashing waves, it’s as if you’re on a Pacific islet. Bali’s connection to the ocean is especially striking in the fishing village of Perancak, the harbor for an excess of 100 selerek, brightly painted, 20m(66ft)-long fishing ships.
The western segment of the isle remains almost unknown to foreigners, and not many tourists (or even local residents, in truth) are aware that there is uninhibited jungle and unending beaches that are seldom touched by international footsteps. At Yeh Leh Beach, just 50km (31 miles) from the global airport, you might wander for hours along the lovely sweep of wave-beaten volcanic sand without encountering anyone beyond a few native anglers.
Venture onto the water
In Fiji, a boat is required to access nearly any substantial surfing wave. Conversely, in Bali, easily approachable surfing areas have made destinations like Uluwatu and Canggu globally renowned (perhaps a tad too recognized). To deviate from the majority, consider the unassuming surf areas of Keramas, Balian, and Medewi – which is the last settlement before accessing countless, entirely undeveloped beach-surf waves along the southwestern shoreline.
For enthusiasts of calmer aquatic experiences, Bali offers prime diving and snorkeling opportunities, with sightings of sharks, turtles, barracudas, dolphins, and occasionally even a whale shark near its serene northern coastline. Inward, thrilling activities are available in forms such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, quad-biking and even white-water rafting. Walk alongside rare pink buffaloes in Pekutatan, or attend Jembrana’s captivating (though somewhat gruesome) mekepung buffalo-chariot tournaments. Within West Bali National Park, partake in jungle expeditions amidst sizeable groups of wild sambar deer, monkeys resembling gibbons, and flocks of Bali starlings (the island’s own “bird of heaven”).
If the concept of transitioning from one tropical isle to another is what draws you to Fiji and the South Pacific, recall that Bali is just a small part of the extensive, dense Indonesian archipelago. Lombok and the Gilis may feature on every traveler’s checklist, undoubtedly – yet there are an additional 17,500 Indonesian islands awaiting discovery.
And who can tell? One among them might even rival Bali in enchantment.