Excursion à terre-Merveilles de Nadi Sightseeing Tour-Temple, Jardins, Marchés et Shopping

Originally when we booked we received a message from the tour operators to let us know that unfortunately the tour was overbooked and they asked if we would mind changing our tour day to the following day. When I explained that it was our last day to do the tour as we were leaving Fiji the following day, the tour operators found us another driver and we were still able to do the tour. It worked out even better for us as we were then the only 2 people with that driver/tour guide. We were able to be picked up from our resort which was outside the usual pickup zone for an extra fee which was very convenient as a taxi to get to the pickup spot would have cost much more. Our driver/tour guide Jason was fantastic! Very friendly and happy to chat about growing up in Fiji and his life there while we drove between stops. He also pointed out any interesting spots along the way and told us a bit about them. The first stop was the Hindu temple where we were dropped off and the tour guide there took us through the temple and told us about it. It was beautiful to see all the bright colours and murals painted on the ceilings, and to learn a bit about the temple. The next stop was to do some shopping, Mum needed to exchange some more money and Jason was able to take her to a nearby exchange. This was also a good spot to use the bathroom and grab a drink or a snack (you are provided with a bottle of water each for the tour, but if you wanted another drink this was the spot to get it). You were also able to try kava here. Then we went to the produce and craft market and Jason told us about it as we walked around. Then it was off to the gardens. The gardens were beautiful, but very humid. When we went there weren't as many orchids as I had seen in photos from other reviews, but there were still many beautiful plants. The paths were generally easy to walk, a few paths were a bit rockier or steeper, but there were many paths to choose so you could usually walk an easier path if needed. There is also a lookout which is much steeper and rockier getting to the top. You also get a complimentary juice here, which was delicious! The stop at the gardens may be more difficult for those who use mobility aids or have children in prams as there were many areas with stairs and paths which would make navigating the gardens tricky. As someone with health issues I did find that there were many benches in the gardens where I could stop and rest, and there was usually a path which was a bit easier. Some areas, such as hiking to the lookout were quite difficult for me and I probably should have skipped, but was still managable at a slower pace, and a longer rest at the top. Again, there were restrooms here if needed. The last stop was to get some lunch before heading back to the resort. Given that it was only the 2 of us, Jason asked if there was anywhere in particular we wanted to eat and suggested a few nearby places. On a larger tour I assume they may take you back into town near the shopping stop as there would be mutiple places to eat nearby. I highly recommend this tour as it gives you a good variety of places to stop and the tour operators were very accomodating. I wish we had been able to do this tour near the start of our trip as there were more places that I would have liked to go to that were recommended to us by Jason. I guess we will have to do another trip to Fiji!

We had the tour to ourselves. Our driver, Mohammed was very knowledgeable and even stopped at a grocery so we could purchase some breakfast foods outside the resort area. We did not feel rushed and we had plenty of time at each section of the tour.