‘Good Things About Ra’

Darren Grant, a most recent senior executive management inclusion to Fiji’s mineral resource sector, enjoys wildlife and inland experiences.

The country manager for Dome Gold

Mines loves fishing.

He and his wife have visited Fiji thrice.

The Australian couple come from a teaching background where Mr Grant – a chartered accountant by profession - was a school manager, while his wife a school teacher.

Acceptable, encouraging, and positive, is how he describes reception on this leg of his journey, as Dome Gold enters an advanced stage of mineral exploration over its magnetite interests in Kulukulu, just outside Sigatoka Town.

“Everyone has been respectful, everyone has been curious, and articulate with their questions, which is great, because you want people to have some comfort in talking to you about their concerns,” Mr Grant said.

Where in Fiji would you take friends to?

Korotogo, Nadroga.

Getting a village environment as opposed to a purely distinct tourist environment is the kind of experience my wife and I want.

There are villages around there that will accommodate people, with local cuisine and cultural to experience.

There are some good activities to be undertaken, including diving, fishing, waterfalls, wildlife experiences down that way too. We spent a year travelling around Africa. We had a family trip through Europe.

It’s about embracing the local community. From a tourist point of view, there are opportunities to get that with a blend of Western cuisine and cultures, but to also step into the Fijian culture.

What are some of your favourite places for a

coffee or pie?

Café Planet and The Coffee Hub offer pretty good coffee.

Hot Bread Kitchen is where we get our baked goods.

What is your favourite backyard spot?

Wailoaloa, Nadi.

When my daughters join us, we have booked a weekend there, where they have Smugglers Cove, Ramada Suites and even the backpackers down the road.

That’s probably the best at the moment.

What is one place in Fiji that is on your bucket list?

Rakiraki.

We hear good things about the place. We haven’t seen anything North of Levu.

I love the mountains.

Viti

Dome Gold Mines Fiji country manager, Darren Grant, and his family, will spend part of their family vacation at Wailoaloa Beach, Nadi, home to Smugglers Cove (above).

Darren Grant is Dome Gold Mines Fiji country manager.

Some treats at The Coffee Hub Nadi.