莫努里基岛周边的珊瑚礁，玛玛努卡群岛，斐济 Coral reef surrounding the island of Monuriki, Mamanuca Islands, Fiji (© David Wall/SuperStock)

思绪之礁 A reef of reflection

莫努里基岛，玛玛努卡群岛，斐济

有些日子只标志着一个里程碑，而斐济的10月10日却见证了两个。1874年的这一天，斐济群岛正式成为英国殖民地。近一个世纪后的1970年，同一天，斐济升起了自己的国旗，宣布独立。斐济日是一个独特的全国性节日——既是反思的时刻，也是庆祝的日子。庆典从庄重的仪式开始，国旗冉冉升起，领导人发表演讲。学校和社区团体常常会举行历史重现或表演活动。街道上挤满了游行队伍，村庄里上演着传统舞蹈“梅克”，橄榄球场上热火朝天。家家户户则准备传统菜肴，比如将肉和根茎类作物埋在地下烤制的“洛沃”，以及用柑橘汁腌制的鱼“科科达”。

如今，自由的精神从繁华的城镇延伸到像莫努里基岛这样的偏远瑰宝，如今日图片所示。这座岛因《荒岛余生》的拍摄而名声大噪，虽无人居住，却绝非死寂。环绕小岛的珊瑚礁宛如天然的堡垒，既能抵御风暴侵袭，又庇护着无数鱼类。斐济的珊瑚礁恰如其分地成为了一个隐喻：坚固、多样且与国家的福祉紧密相连。

Visiting the Mamanuca Islands for Fiji Day

Some dates mark a single milestone—Fiji's October 10 marks two. On that day in 1874, the islands officially became a British colony. Almost a century later, in 1970, the same date saw Fiji raise its own flag and declare independence. Fiji Day is a unique national holiday—part reflection, part celebration. The day begins with formal ceremonies, where the Fijian flag is hoisted and leaders deliver speeches. Schools and community groups often stage reenactments and performances. Streets fill with parades, villages host cultural dances like the meke, and rugby pitches come alive with matches. Families prepare traditional dishes like lovo, where meat and root crops are cooked underground, and kokoda, a citrus-marinated fish dish.

Today, the spirit of freedom stretches from bustling towns to remote gems like the island of Monuriki, pictured here. Known worldwide as the filming site of 'Cast Away,' the island is uninhabited—but far from lifeless. Its surrounding coral reef acts as a natural fortress, protecting the island from storms while sheltering countless species of fish. The reefs of Fiji are a fitting metaphor: strong, diverse, and deeply connected to the well-being of the nation.