Fiji is a fascinating holiday destination, mainly because there's such a notable divide between people who adore it as a holiday destination and people who just can't quite make up their mind one way or the other.
We're here to try and bring a little bit of clarity to the situation because we know how insanely stressful it can be to try and pick somewhere that is just right for you. The following photos will shed light on the reality behind a vacation in Fiji.
Travelers need to make up their own mind, one way or the other, but lending a helping hand is hardly going to cause any sort of great disturbance in the force (and for what it's worth, we reckon they probably like Star Wars quite a bit there).
20 A Little Bit Messy
There appears to be a growing concern that the general upkeep and tidiness of the country is on a slow yet steady decline. The beaches appear to be the worst affected, but the right sort of investment isn't been inserted into the situation as it probably should be.
19 Fun On The Dirt
They're called dirty tours and, frankly, they're a whole lot of fun. While the white sand beaches and the crisp blue water may be what attracts most to Fiji, heading back on land is worth doing if you're hoping to catch a glimpse of the nation's real roots.
18 Tribal Instincts
Fijians, or iTaukei, are known for being the most notable indigenous people of the islands of Fiji. Their history and their pride for where they come from spreads throughout the island on a day by day basis, and that culture & heritage is really important to them.
17 Aquarium Room
Yes, they have a hotel that features rooms that legitimately look like this.
The Poseidon Undersea Resort in Fiji allows you to actually go in one of these rooms, and if that isn't enough to convince you to book your flight over there tomorrow, then we honestly don't know what is.
16 Snorkeling Away
There are activities that are popular throughout a range of different countries, all for good reason, and one such example of that is snorkeling. In Fiji, the clarity of the waters allows for some of the best snorkeling conditions that we've ever seen.
15 The Sinking Islands
The sinking islands of Tuvalu serve as the neighbor of Fiji and, in many ways, proves why there are so many issues with so many islands around the region. Climate change is real, and it's about time we stopped dancing around the subject and did something about it.
14 The Ceremonies
There are cultural traditions spread all across the planet, but Fiji seems to revel in putting on ceremonies and acts of patriotism that really do warm our hearts. From the fire walking ceremony to the Yaqona ceremony, it's all just great to see.
13 Tavarua Island
Yes, we are legitimately talking about an island that is in the shape of a heart which is located in Fiji. If that doesn't sound amazing to you then literally nothing else will, because this is the definition of the ideal vacation destination.
12 Fiji Rugby Team
Pride in sport is a really important thing, because it can do wonders for the growth and general positivity surrounding any given country. For Fiji, they take great pride in the fact that they have a wonderful rugby union and sevens team to their name.
11 The Flooding
This might not be 'jump off the page' obvious, but Fiji has a lot of floods to go alongside the sunshine and the rainbows. The 2009 foods were particularly bad for the area, but in general, it's an issue that we all need to keep a close eye on.
10 Beautiful Forests
Didn't think of Fiji as a place where you'd be able to enjoy great forestry? Join the club.
The dry forests spread across many, many acres and allow both locals and tourists to escape the chaos of the island and just be at peace with themselves.
9 A Land of Hope
Take one look out onto that view and tell us you aren't full of optimism and a sense of direction.
From the rock formations to the waters, you can certainly be forgiven for thinking that every little thing is gonna be alright after a quick trip to Fiji.
8 Struggle In Suva
From the decline of the industries to the level of poverty still found in many parts of the city, Suva has its own fair share of struggles that need to be addressed. Sure, the surrounding resorts in Fiji are nice, but we can't just put all of this to one side.
7 Dealing With The Storms
Due to the general location and formation of tropical storms and hurricanes in general, Fiji seems to be a hot spot for more than a few of these every single year. They're prepared, certainly, but not quite as much as people in the States.
6 Poor Bus Services
Look, the buses are cheap and that's the best part about them because you can catch a bus and get to where you're going in, well, not all that much time at all, really.
Still, when they're as unreliable as can be, you're more than welcome to question the actual validity or overall importance of them.
5 Traditional Tattoos
Tattoos can mean literally whatever you want them to mean, and that's the positive side of them. Plus, they give you something of an identity, especially with Polynesians who often use them to pay tribute to their culture.
4 Shark Diving
When we're the ones invading the home of sharks and they're the ones that get painted out to be the villains, there's something wrong with society. Alas, there are areas in which assisted shark diving is available, and it's done in a very dignified way.
3 Military Questions
Everyone has queries and questions about the state of their own military, and the same is true in Fiji where they tend to have a much smaller presence with constant concerns about whether or not they're getting the sort of funding they need.
2 The Sugar Industry
The fact that Fiji has such a connection to the world of sugar canes and sugar, in general, can be viewed as a good thing, but unfortunately, the fact that they rely so heavily on one crop has caused some worries within the government over the years.
1 The Floating Bar
This is the one.
A floating bar? Sign us up. This is Cloud 9 which is known for being Fiji's only two-platform floating bar which, in itself, is enough of a niche for us to drop everything and head on over there immediately.