Vuda Marina Fiji Coconut Demonstration

During our cruise aboard the P&O Pacific Explorer, we had the chance to embark on various exciting tours, one of which was the Leisurely Nadi excursion, featuring a stop at the captivating Vuda Marina Coconut Demonstration.

The Leisurely Nadi tour took us on a journey through the picturesque landscapes of Nadi, Fiji. Nestled on the western side of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island, Nadi is a beloved holiday destination and serves as the gateway to the stunning nearby islands. Our adventure promised breathtaking sights, encounters with local villages, glimpses of sugar cane fields, and the opportunity to bask in the scenic beauty of Fiji’s renowned mountains, including the iconic Sleeping Giant Mountain range. Our route also included a stop at a scenic viewpoint along Vuda Road, treating us to panoramic views of Port Denarau and the surrounding islands. However, it’s the Vuda Marina Coconut Demonstration that truly stood out for us, and that’s what we’ll focus on in this post.

As our tour bus pulled into Vuda Marina, we were greeted by the melodious tunes of singing musicians, setting the perfect mood for what lay ahead. Stepping off the bus, we were offered refreshing beverages and light tropical snacks, including an assortment of tropical fruits and, of course, fresh coconuts. It was a delightful start to our coconut-themed adventure.

The main highlight of the Vuda Marina stop was the coconut demonstration. Local experts guided us through the versatile world of coconuts, demonstrating various ways to utilize this remarkable fruit. While some of the methods were familiar to us, being from the Philippines, it was still fascinating to witness the Fijian approach.

Coconut cracking is where we noted a notable difference. In the Philippines, we typically use a bolo, a type of jungle knife, to open coconuts. In Fiji, they showcased their skill by cracking the coconuts by hand on a solid surface. The grating process was similar, but their manual technique involved an iron grater attached to a small wooden stool-like contraption. What set it apart was the use of coconut fibres as a natural strainer during the pressing process, something we hadn’t encountered before. It was a clever solution, especially when you don’t have muslin cloth on hand.

Of course, we were treated to fresh coconuts, complete with straws for sipping the refreshing coconut water. If you fancied indulging in the tender young coconut meat, all you had to do was ask for a spoon.

Aside from the educational aspect of the demonstration, the setting at Vuda Marina was simply lovely. We spent about an hour soaking in the tranquil atmosphere and enjoying the scenic views of the water.

Our visit to Vuda Marina was part of a cruise ship excursion, and it left us with beautiful memories. We relished coconut water, tropical fruits, and other refreshments in a serene and idyllic location.

The presenter’s laid-back demeanour was a stark contrast to our fast-paced lives. He spoke in a slow, deliberate manner, which we attributed to the island’s relaxed way of life. It was so slow that at times, we couldn’t help but wish he would breeze through the demonstration to let us fully savour the magnificent views. It was almost as if he was on island time, perhaps having indulged in a bit too much Kava. Nevertheless, his presentation was enjoyable, and it added to the overall charm of our visit to Vuda Marina.