Sharon stayed at the Ratu Kini's Backpackers on 24/11/2006 rating: 72 %

I stayed in this hostel in February 06 and i have to say it made me fall in love with fiji. i have to admit that when i first arrived i was not too keen on it after coming from the top Hostels in New Zealand to this one i was a little wary it seemed a little dirty and not very secure but once we settled in and started to meet other backpackers and get to know the staff we started to relax. I had so much fun here even though everything is very simple the staff go out of their way to make you feel welcome and they are always at hand if you need them, the hostel set in a village and the locals go about their day to day lives but i found it all very interesting to watch them, we were invited to the school one day and then to their church another some of the local children used to come and join in our games in the evening like messing in the sea and soccer or volleyball, we used to sit around and have sing songs with the staff, go on boat trips fishing, snorkelling anything we wanted. There was plently to keep you busy and there was no pressure if you did not want to join in. We really relaxed there and in the evenings there was always some activity going on to get you in a party mood, then a night of drinking and games. The food i have to admit is a little to be desired for but then it wasn't the worst i have ever had to eat, one evening we were allowed to help prepare a traditional fiji meal, and they were always telling us about the culture and old stories.
We stayed for 10 days in the end and we took away alot of new friends from everywhere England, Italy, America with us most of who i am still in touch with today,
If you want somewhere with a friendly atmosphere then this the place for you once you get to know the staff and other guests and see how friendly everyone is then you get over all the rest. On our leaving day all the staff came into the bar with their guitars and a had a big sing song with us for the day one of them even joined us on his day off.
i have alot of fond memories of this hostel and i really hope one day i can come back.

Sharon, Ireland.