CNN's Fresh Routes discovers the vibrant tapestry of Fiji's culture

HONG KONG, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Made up of over 300 islands in the South Pacific, Fiji has become increasingly popular as a tourism destination. This month, CNN's Fresh Routes offers a unique look at Fiji as we travel across the nation to discover its vibrant culture through traditional music, stunning natural landscapes, and mouth-watering cuisine.

First, CNN visits Malolo Lailai, an island in a larger chain known as the Mamanucas that is just an hour's boat ride from Fiji's main island of Viti Levu. A local resident Cakacaka takes CNN on a journey to collect the ingredients for a traditional Fijian ceviche dish called Kokoda. He shows us spearfishing, a local way of life and something he has been doing since he was young. Next, he introduces a seaweed often used in traditional Fijian cuisine called seagrapes, which is normally known in Fijian as "nama". CNN then goes to the historical Musket Cove Island Resort, where he works, to learn how to make traditional lolo, a coconut cream, from scratch. Musket Cove was opened in 1976 and continues to be a big tourist spot on Malolo Lailai with its marina, beaches, and dozens of villas.

Next, CNN travels to the town of Savusavu on Vanua Levu, Fiji's second-largest island to meet Neelam Rattan. Rattan shares her passion for free diving, a form of underwater diving that relies on holding your breath, which she teaches to visitors from all over the world. Rattan brings CNN to one of the area's best diving spots, Natewa Bay, where the rainforest meets the ocean. As the largest bay in the South Pacific, and also one of the deepest – it's home to pristine coral reefs and abundant ocean biodiversity.

Finally, CNN visits the town of Pacific Harbour on Fiji's largest and main island, Viti Levu. The annual "Woodstock Uprising Music Festival" takes place here, with dozens of artists across Fiji gracing the stage and celebrating local talents. CNN meets one of the festival judges Laisa Vulakoro, known in Fiji as the Vude Queen. Vude is a traditional genre of music that mixes island beats with elements of reggae, disco, R&B and Fijian singing. Vulakoro shares her experience rising to stardom and performing all around the world, but also the challenges she faced when diagnosed with brain cancer in 2008. She invites CNN to her home in Wainadoi – a quiet, natural setting outside the city that inspires her and allows her to return to her roots.

Fresh Routes trailer: https://bit.ly/3H8deFS
Fresh Routes images: https://bit.ly/41PHvCM

Airtimes for 30-minute special:

• Saturday, 13^th January at 7:30pm HKT
• Sunday, 14^th January at 1:30am and 12pm HKT
• Monday, 15^th January at 6:30am HKT

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