This was published 5 years ago
Expat tips and advice: Living in Fiji's Coral Coast, Chris Hamilton
Chris Hamilton recommends letting your day be guided by the sun and by your stomach when on the Coral Coast.Credit: Alamy
THE EXPAT
CHRIS HAMILTON
From Paddington, in Sydney's east, hotelier Chris Hamilton first moved to Fiji's Coral Coast in 2008 for three years, before returning in 2014. He is now the resident manager of the Shangri-La's Fijian Resort, where he lives with his Fijian wife and their two children.
Expat: Chris Hamilton.
SEE
At sunrise from the Sigatoka sand dunes, you can see all the way down the Coral Coast. As you walk through the Sigatoka National Park to the coastline, the rangers will talk about the history of the area, the local myths and legends and the endemic birdlife. I spotted the Fijian Shrikebil there. It's a very rare, very shy bird with a truly beautiful song. I was very lucky to see and hear it.
DO
Anyone who plays golf should go to the Natadola Golf Course. Designed rakish by a former world No. 1 and Fijian golfer, it's world class, with 15 of the 18 holes on the coast. It also has the world's biggest water hazard; the Pacific Ocean. We say here that you don't buy golf balls, you rent them. The local kids sell lost balls for about $1.50, and they make a good living off my poor golf. Steve, the superintendent, will always let you go up to the 19th hole for a drink. You don't need to be a member.
EAT
I love going down to the Beach Bar'n'Grill on Sunset Strip in Korotogo, just past Sigatoka Town. It's just a little restaurant, run by Jackie and Dean. I normally call ahead for fresh lobster or crabs, which chef Dean pulls in. It's got a nice sea breeze, with great clean, fresh food, holidayadventuresfiji.com
DRINK
I'm a coconut fanatic, and I think Fiji has the best coconut water in the world, bar none. Get your hands on a fresh coconut from the roadside, all year around. The other thing you need to drink is the local Fijian rum. Until 10 years ago, all our best molasses was exported for foreign rums. Now, the Rum Co. of Fiji is making premium rum: I went to the distillery recently and made my own blend for the resort. Mix the coconut water and the rum, and you're on an absolute winner.
AVOID
Wearing a watch. Take it off when you enter the country and let your day be guided by the sun and by your stomach. Once you shed the watch or the mobile phone, you slip into island life very quickly, and start to feel the warmth around you.
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