A Journey Begins with Curiosity (and a Little Chaos)
Travel is a dance between adventure and unpredictability. Sometimes, it’s an enchanting waltz through ancient temples; other times, it’s an awkward tango with a scam artist in a minivan. My visit to Nadi Town started as a simple day of exploration—a temple visit, a peaceful lunch, maybe a quiet walk in the Sleeping Giant gardens. What I got instead was a life lesson wrapped in unsolicited marriage advice and a near financial swindle.
“Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.” — Matthew 10:16
The Temple Visit: Beauty in the Rain
I arrived at the temple after a short walk, immediately struck by its vibrancy. The colors were rich and bold—bright reds and golds standing out against the gray, rain-soaked sky. Intricate artwork adorned the walls, each painting telling stories of gods upon gods upon gods, their watchful eyes seemingly following visitors as they prayed. The rhythmic clang of bells echoed softly, mingling with whispered prayers and the patter of rain.
It was beautiful, though not quite as grand as the temple I had visited in Los Angeles. This one was smaller, cozier, and under renovation, limiting access to certain areas. Even so, it had its own charm. I wandered through the space, taking in its details, the scent of incense blending with the fresh, earthy aroma of rain-soaked ground.
By the time I left, hunger had set in. Thankfully, there was a small vegetarian restaurant nearby. I wasn’t expecting much, but when my plate arrived, I was pleasantly surprised—it was so much food. And all for just ten Fijian dollars. The meal was simple yet delicious, and as I ate, the scent of rain still lingered in the air, grounding me in the moment.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” — Proverbs 9:10
A peaceful day. A moment of reflection. A reminder that beauty exists even in the simplest experiences. But as I stepped outside, belly full and content, my adventure took an unexpected turn.
The Minivan Misadventure: Unsolicited Advice & the Setup
Two minivans were parked outside the temple, and one driver waved me over.
“Where are you going?” he asked.
“Sleeping Giant,” I replied.
“I can take you there,” he assured me.
I should have asked the price. That was mistake #1.
The driver seemed decent, maybe in his late 40s or early 50s. He had told me he was born and raised in Fiji, specifically in Nadi Town. I didn’t ask if he had a family—unlike him, I wasn’t keen on prying into personal lives.
The ride started off with small talk. And then, as expected, the inevitable question came.
“You’re not married?” he asked.
“No.”
“Why not? Women are meant to serve men.”
Excuse me?
From there, it spiraled. He launched into an unsolicited speech on how women should take care of men because, according to him, “women came from man’s rib.”
I countered, “Sure, but wasn’t it Adam who needed Eve? Not the other way around?”
The irony seemed lost on him.
Then came the kicker: “It’s a sin not to be married.”
Oh, really? Because last I checked, Jesus and Paul were single, and I’m pretty sure they did just fine.
His enthusiasm for the conversation dimmed after that. The chatter turned into a contemplative silence. The mood had shifted.
The Scam Unfolds
Something felt off. The once-chatty driver had gone silent, his fingers drumming an uneven rhythm against the steering wheel. Then, without a word, he pulled into a gas station.
Reaching over to the dashboard, he retrieved a piece of paper and held it up.
”$100 to Sleeping Giant,” he said, pointing to a section that listed the fare from Denarau Island to Sleeping Giant.
Excuse me… what?!
I frowned. Denarau Island? That wasn’t where we started. He had picked me up in Nadi Town.
“That’s not where we started,” I told him firmly.
He shook his head. “No, we came from Denarau.”
I wasn’t about to let him rewrite reality.
“No, we didn’t. I know exactly where I was picked up.”
This may have been my first time in Fiji, but I had done my research. I knew the geography. I knew where I was—and where I wasn’t.
“No way. I don’t have $100 on me. I don’t even have that kind of cash.”
His face darkened. This wasn’t about a fair fare. It was a setup. He was banking on me feeling trapped, pressured into paying.
But I wasn’t about to be played.
I reached into my bag and handed him $10— twice the fare equivalent from Nadi Town to the Sleeping Giant.
“This is all I’m giving you,” I said, opening the door.
He didn’t argue. The moment I stepped out, he sped away, likely searching for his next unsuspecting passenger.
Seconds later, a bus approached. I waved it down, hopped on, and asked the driver to drop me off at the airport.
As the bus rumbled down the road, I exhaled, watching the scammer’s minivan disappear in the distance. The driver asked where I was headed, and for the first time that afternoon, I relaxed, knowing this ride had a fair price—and no unsolicited marriage advice.
Total damage? $10. Could’ve been worse. Lesson learned.
“A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.” — Proverbs 27:12
I never made it to Sleeping Giant. But I did gain something else—wisdom and a story worth telling.
Soul Insights from the Minivan Scam
1. Always Ask the Price Upfront
Never assume a ride is fairly priced. If a driver refuses to give a price, that’s a red flag.
2. Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, it probably is. Your gut is a powerful tool—listen to it.
3. Know When to Walk Away
Arguments don’t always serve a purpose. Sometimes, the smartest move is simply exiting the situation.
4. Be Firm but Polite
You don’t have to be rude, but you do need to be assertive. Scammers prey on hesitation.
5. Not Every Loss is a Loss
Sure, I was overcharged. But it was a small price for a big lesson—and one that will serve me well in future travels.
Final Thoughts: Finding Grace in Every Encounter
Was I frustrated? Yes. Was I disappointed that some people take advantage of tourists? Absolutely. But I also understand that for many, survival means hustling in whatever way they can. It doesn’t make it right, but it does make it understandable.
In the end, this was just a small detour in my travels—a momentary setback, not a defining experience. The real win was in the wisdom gained, the confidence in standing my ground, and the reminder that discernment is just as important as adventure.
“Traveling—it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
And as for that ever-present question about why I’m not married? Next time, I might just say, “No, but I do have a direct line to God. And He doesn’t charge $100 for directions.”
Safe travels, friends. And remember—always ask the price before you get in the car.
© 2025 Amelie Chambord
Soul Path Insights 
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