Over the past week, I drank Kava before meals, after meals, and for a meal; in the early afternoon, mid-afternoon, evening, and deep into the night. And after God-knows how many bowls of the stuff, I can say with complete certainty – it does not taste good. That said, the Fijian tradition of drinking Kava, or “Grog,” is fantastic.

Kava is consumed and presented for a variety of occasions, but more often than not it is simply a communal centerpiece to any true Fijian get-together. You’ll quickly learn the basic clapping rhythms, how to call Taki for another round, and how to announce Mada when you’ve finished the bowl. After that, you’re ready to experience the greatness that is a marathon Fijian Kava session.

Do I Have to Leave?

And I mean marathon.

Fijians can sit drinking grog till the sun comes up. The guard at our hotel in Loutoka bragged he could drink Grog from noon till 6 a.m. the next morning. I don’t think he was exaggerating.

For me, these marathons meant getting to know some of the most welcoming people I have ever encountered. The whole point is to enjoy each other’s company and make everyone feel welcome – and you really are welcomed into their way of life.

Involvement is voluntary, but always encouraged. If you don’t want to drink more don’t worry about it, and if you don’t feel like talkin’ (as you undoubtedly will after ten rounds of the stuff) the only question you’ll be asked is about the amount of Kava you want in the next round, “low tide, high tide, tsunami?”

It is a little discomforting, however, when, after you think you’ve been keeping up with the locals just fine for hours and are finally feeling like you can’t take anymore, your homestay father, or nau, glances over with a big smile and informs you the session is half-over.

These dudes are Kava tanks. And make no mistake about it, whoever invented grog sure wasn’t thinking of how it tasted.