Nadi Market, Fiji

As we stepped off the air conditioned environment of the plane, you could feel the warmth of the night air around you. Sounds of Fijian music and smiling faces welcomed you. This was a second visit to Nadi, Fiji, a place to recharge the batteries. 

The local market in Nadi has both a fruit and vegetable market which is noisy, vibrant, bustling with very fresh fruit and vegetables. I was unsure of the tiny; strange looking bananas until I took my first bite, the overpowering banana flavour in one small bite was amazing.

Men and women would carve the freshest pineapples into lollipops for you, so fresh and juicy. Bright red chillies, bok choy and watermelon galore. In stark contrast the other side of the market housed the kava sellers, a more anesthetised ambience.  There was also a separate area for the fish market where you could haggle over the price of the latest catch. We enjoyed a very fresh snapper and made the local dish of Kokoda, the Fijian version of ceviche. The raw fish is “cooked” by marinating in lime juice and then coconut cream; chopped cucumber, tomato and onion are added.

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