I was in Fiji for 17 days at the end of July and I got back August 4th.
The first week was very fun. I got to go scuba diving everyday and it was absolutely amazing and beautiful. I discovered my favorite fish and I finally saw an octopus! The island itself was absolutely gorgeous, extremely green, fruit bats everywhere, tons and tons of palm trees, warm blue ocean. We went to waterfalls and swam in them. The food was amazing. I ate more fresh fruit then I ever have in my life and it's the best I've ever had. The bed was extremely comfortable and I slept 8-10 hours every night.
But the second week was even more amazing. I volunteered in a clinic where they give out free medical and dental care to any Fijian who needs it. It's run by Seventh Day Adventists, or Christians. It was the most amazing experience. All the Fijians were so happy too. It makes me think, because we as Americans have so much, almost everything we want, but these people, that have practically nothing, are so happy. It's beautiful to see. We take stuff like washers and dryers for granted and they wash their clothes in the river. They don't have refrigerators. They don't have many clothes. Each Fijian usually has one pair of shoes for years and years. American money is worth twice as much as theirs. Yet they are so happy. And not even just kinda happy, they are up and dancing and signing for us, and we're dancing with them and they are genuinely happy. It completely stunned me. We helped over 1300 people. I helped in the pharmacy and assisted the nurses and doctors with anything they needed and checked people in. The doctors and dentists there are just volunteer, so there isn't a lot of people there all the time.
But I believe I liked the second week better then the first. it was one of the best experiences of my life and I plan on doing it again. Helping people is one of the most amazing things you can do, and the best thing I've ever done. I've never had a more satisfied feeling in my life, knowing that I helped so many people that actually appreciate it.
I recommend it!