Nadi
Nadi (Nahn-dee) is the third-largest town in Fiji. It is
located on the western side of the main island of Viti Levu,
and has a population of approx 20,000, many of whom are Indian
or Fijian. The main industries of Nadi are tourism and sugar
cane production.
Sri Siva Subramaniya templeThe downtown area is defined
by the Nadi river and Viseisei village on the west side,
and the beautfiul Sri Siva Subramaniya temple on the
east. The temple is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern
hemisphere, and is a site for pilgrims.
Nadi is 9km from Fiji's main international airport, which
is served by Air Pacific (the national airline of Fiji),
Air New Zealand, and Qantas.
Nadi is hub of commerce and tourism, with about 18 hotels,
and is popular among travelers seeking to take ferries
to island resorts in Fiji's western Mamanuca Group of islands.
The town is also close to the western mud-flat beaches.
It is also close to the Nausori highlands to the east,
and can access the Sabeto (Sahm-beh-to) and Sigatoka (Sing-ah-to-ka)
valleys. Other sites are the Waqadra (Wah-kgahn-drah) Botanical
Gardens, and the Sleeping Giant Gardens, which house Raymond
Burr's magnificent orchid collection.
Mamanuca Islands
The Mamanuca (pronounced Mah-mah-noo-tha) islands lie in
a majestic arc, only a short distance from the mainland
of Viti Levu, curving to the north-west, and almost touching
the Yasawa chain.
There are 13 islands in all, not counting those covered
by the Pacific at high tide and they all share in common
pristine white sandy beaches, waving palms, crystal blue
waters and, at night, the cooling influence of the trade
winds.
The Mamanucas are essentially volcanic outcrops pushed
up from the ocean floor in a gigantic earthquake thousands
of years ago. Some are especially significant in Fijian
folklore.
From the air you can see that the Mamanucas group is
in fact two clusters known as Mamanuca-i-ra and Mamanuca-i-cake.
Within the Mamanucas is the Malolo group, three miles inside
the barrier reef, extending in a curve for about 75 miles.
A number of resort islands are scattered throughout the
Malolo group, each offering comfortable casual bure (Fijian
style cottage) accommodation, a relaxing holiday atmosphere
and a range of water activities. There are boat excursions,
fishing trips and water sports including water skiing,
wind surfing, snorkelling, diving, sailing, speed boat
riding, and coral viewing.
Malololailai is the centre for most tourism to and from
the Mamanucas. It has safe anchorage, a cosmopolitan community
of Fijians and Indians and an airstrip serviced regularly
from Nadi.
Vanua Levu
Though only half as big as Viti Levu, Vanua Levu has good
transport, a variety of scenery, warm welcoming people
and few tourists. The main towns are Labasa, a small river
port with a large airport and Savusavu which also has an
airport.
Vanua Levu was once the centre of the sandalwood trade,
now its primary economy is sugar, with copra a close second
followed by timber.
Off the southern shores of the island is the island of
Namena which has a wildlife sanctuary. The villages are
numerous all the way around the island and it's here you'll
experience real Fijian life.
Vanua Levu (pronounce Va-new-ah Lay-vu), with a population
of approximately 130,000, is the second largest island
of the Fiji archipelago. With an area of 5538 square kilometers,
it is slightly larger than half the size of Viti Levu.
The island measures 180 kilometers long and has an average
width of 33 kilometers. The island is rugged, untrammeled
and the coast is surrounded by an extensive system of coral
reefs. Once a center for the copra trade, sugar cultivation
is the most important industry and large cane fields can
be seen on the dry western and northern coasts. There is
a system of roads but they are not as extensive nor as
well maintained as on the main island of Viti Levu (except
for the newly paved road linking Savusavu and Labasa).
Although very near Viti Levu in distance (64 km northeast)
it is less developed and less frequented by tourists. Vanua
Levu thus offers the guest an ideal opportunity to observe
local traditions and culture, relatively untarnished by
tourism.
The largest centers of population are Labasa and Savusavu,
but they are small towns compared to the larger urban centers
on Viti Levu. Labasa, largely an Indian community, is a
thriving business center tied to the sugar industry. Savusavu,
a smaller less developed town, is gaining popularity as
a dive destination and yachting community. It has a truly
magnificent bay and a friendly local yacht club. One can
travel to Vanua Levu either by flying to Savusavu or Labasa,
or via local ferry boat from Viti Levu.
Yasawa
Of all the Fiji islands the Yasawa (pronounced Yah-sow-wah)
Group is the most archetypically `South Pacific'. Perhaps
that is why both versions of Blue Lagoon were shot on location
in the Yasawas. There are about 20 islands of volcanic
origin which lie in a chain just off the northwest coast
of Viti Levu. The island chain begins about 40 kilometers
northwest of Lautoka and stretch for approximately 80 kilometers.
The group was romanticised in the movie 'The Blue Lagoon'
twice, once in 1949 with Jean Simmons and again in 1980
with Brooke Shields.
These islands are special because of their beautiful,
isolated beaches, cliffs, bays and reefs, unspoiled by
much tourist development. Because they sit in the lee of
Viti Levu, the Yasawas are dry and sunny with crystal clear
waters.
It was from the north end of the Yasawas that two canoe-loads
of cannibals appeared in 1789 and gave Captain William
Bligh and his 18 companions a chase, less than a week after
the famous mutiny.
Two centuries later, cruise ships ply the island chain
and its waters, while more and more luxury resorts dot
the islands foreshores.
The islands of the group are Waya Island, the highest
in the Yasawas, Tavewa Island a strikingly beautiful small
island about two kilometres long, Turtle Island which has
the ultimate resort owned by Richard Evanson who bought
the island in 1972, Yasawa Island, Sawa-i-Lau Island with
its large limestone cave illuminated by a crevice at the
top, Naviti Island which is the largest of the Yasawas
and Viwa, the most remote, squatting alone 25km northwest
of Waya.
From a distance they suggest a string of emerald beads
lying on the horizon. Up close they are precipitous, with
long stretches of sandy beaches fringed by azure waters.
The beauty of Yasawa has lured the tourist dollar, which
is fortuitous for villagers: arable land is limited, and
some crops are difficult or even impossible to grow. The
islands are a major attraction for cruise vessels originating
in Lautoka, and in the last several years several backpacker
and high-end accommodations have opened up on Waya.
Vatulele
The development of a perfect tropical escape was the vision
of Emmy-award winning Australian television producer Henry
Crawford, and his creative partner, Martin Livingston,
a fifth generation European Fijian. The result is Vatulele
(pronounced ‘Vah-too-lay-lay’), on one of the
southern islands of the Fijian group. It took two years
to find the ideal South Seas location, and three more to
enhance the natural beauty of the site with man-made luxury
where stressed-out guests could escape the pressures of
Western society.
Lautoka
Legend has it that within the bounds of today’s Lautoka
town there lived two tribes each with a chief. As a result
of an argument one day, a fight broke out between the two
chiefs at a spot which is now known as “Farquhar’s
point.” As one chief speared the other he screamed “LAU-TOKA” meaning “spear-hit” ot ‘hit
to win”. And so, Lautoka acquired a name.
The first recorded sighting of Lautoka by a European was
at dawn on 7th May, 1789 when Cap. Bligh of HMS “ Bounty” made
rough charts of the shores of Lautoka and the mountains
in its background while sailing past the west coast of
Fiji. Lautoka is the sugar city as many people describe.
Sugar cane has been the major industry of Fiji and Lautoka
is the Base. Here, one finds the industries, head quarters,
the largest sugar mill, central sugar bulk, modern loading
facilities and a large wharf.
The Lautoka Sugar Mill itself employ about 1300 people
and majority of them are the
ratepayers and residents of Lautoka. Apart from this
there are a number of other industries such as timber,
pine chips, garment , distillery, brewery, jewellery,
blending, steel , fishing, hatchery, domestic items,
paints, building and many more.
Lautoka city has 120km of roads almost all sealed, proper
drains, well planned subdivisions and buildings constructed
to the local building standards. The street are all lighted
and there are number of public toilets and park seats
all over the city.
Rakiraki
The Rakiraki region is located adjacent to the
Kings Road on the north coast of Viti Levu. Rakiraki
is about
120km from Nadi. The main urban centre is at Vaileka,
located approximately 1km off the Kings road and 2km
inland from the coastline.
The island of Viti Levu is volcanic in origin with uplifted
sedimentary rocks and fringing coral reefs. The Rakiraki
district occupies the relatively flat coastal strip and
hilly areas situated between the coastline and the Nakauvadra
range to the south, which rises to a peak of 846m at
Vatuoka. There are also several nearby islands; the largest
being Makake, Nananu-I-ra and Nananu-I-cake located 1.6km
offshore.
The major water sources are the Penang River and its
main tributary, the Nakauvadra River, which rises in
the Nakauvadra ranges and join approximately 1km from
the sea.
Rakiraki is located in one of the driest areas of Fiji.
The region is classified by Harris as a dry zone, characterised
by: less than 25% annual rainfall in the dry season,
100 –150 rain day per annum, annual rainfall 2600mm/year
and dry season rainfall less than 500mm.
Suva
Suva (population 141,000) is the capital of Fiji. It
is located on the southeast coast of the island of Viti
Levu, in the division of Central Fiji, which it is also
the capital of. Suva became the capital of Fiji in 1877
when the geography of former main Kaivalagi (European)
settlement at Levuka on the island of Ovalau proved too
restrictive. Suva is located at 18°10' South, 178°27'
East (-18.1667, 178.45).
Suva is the commercial and political centre of Fiji,
and the largest city in the South Pacific outside of
Australia and New Zealand. It is Fiji's main port city
and was the host of the 2003 South Pacific Games. Fiji's
tallest building, the Reserve Bank of Fiji Building,
is located in Suva, but this will be shortly be overtaken
by the tallest building in the Pacific Islands region,
which will be built on the nearby site of the old Morris
Hedstrom store in Suva.
Although Suva is on a peninsula, and almost surrounded
by sea, the nearest beach is 40 kilometers away at Pacific
Harbour, and the nearby coast is lined by mangroves.
A significant part of the city centre, including the
old Parliament Buildings, is built on reclaimed mangrove
swamp. Suva is noted for its considerable rainfall. Although
it is not as wet as Pohnpei, the capital of the Federated
States of Micronesia, it has a markedly higher rainfall
than Nadi and the western side of Viti Levu, which is
known to Suva citizens as "the burning west".
Suva is host to more international and regional intergovernmental
agencies and NGOs than any other Pacific Island capital,
to the considerable chagrin of some other capitals (the
staff of these agencies have considerable spending power).
The TRAFFIC Oceania South Pacific Programme, funded
by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, is located
in Suva, in the offices of the WWF South Pacific Programme.
The programme assists in the implementation of CITES,
but also strengthens collaboration with the World Wildlife
Fund.
The Fiji School of Medicine, which is now classed as
a regional agency and a member of the Council of Regional
Organisations in the Pacific, and the main campus of
the University of the South Pacific are in Suva.
Taveuni
The Northern islands are for those who seek endless miles
of squeaky clean white sandy beaches and crystal clear
waters for scuba diving, since beneath the waves are
some of the top dive spots in the world. They also attract
visitors who enjoy that feeling of remoteness from civilisation
and who are happy to spend days snorkelling along the
reefs enjoying the diverse and colourful marine life.
There is a special allure about the North for stressed
city folk. It comes from a combination of a romantic
past, an unspoiled present and a sense that one has stepped
into a world where time has stood still.
The history abounds with stories of early 19th century
adventurers who came in search of the exotic, sweet smelling
sandalwood to burn before Chinese idols, or for 'bech
de mer' to satisfy the palates and sexual fantasies of
Asian epicures. hese traders left a legacy of tales of
shipwrecks, murderous deals, romantic love attachments
and lustful encounters with the most beautiful women
of Fiji.
Both the sandalwood and 'bech de mer' trades died and
were followed by a more permanent influx of copra planters.
Their impact on the North is everywhere, no less so than
at Savusavu's Planter's Club where there are more characters
per square foot than coconuts in a coconut grove.
Taveuni is known as the Garden island, for it has an
abundance of flora and is surrounded by reefs which make
it one of the world's top dive sites. Strong currents
in the strait between the two islands nurture the corals
which are truly magnificent.
It offers the visitor a rich natural history, in particular,
a fine array of birdlife. Fortunately (unlike other island
in the Fiji archipelago) the mongoose was never introduced
to Taveuni and consequently many of the birds that have
vanished on Viti Levu and Vanua Levu still thrive on
the Garden Island. There are many wild chickens, kula
parrots and orange doves, which makes it a special place
for bird fanciers and bush walkers.
A breathtakingly beautiful island, Taveuni has winding
roads which weave through lush tropical forest, past
magnificent waterfalls to suddenly reveal a sparkling
white beach where yours are the only footprints in the
sand.
Hundreds of waterfalls crash down around the coastline,
their waters so clean it is said that in the days of
the sailing ships, they would back up to them to refill
their water tanks.
One of the world's rarest flowers, the Tagimaucia is
found only on Taveuni, four thousand feet above sea level
on the fringes of the lake. The name means 'crying tears
of despair' and behind it is a legend with twists of
love and a happy ending.
Taveuni (pronounced Tah-vee-ew-nee), the garden island
of Fiji, is rugged, wet, verdant and pristine. It lies
only seven kilometers off the southeast coast of Vanua
Levu and is 42 kilometers long and averages about 11
kilometers wide. Once the home of fierce warriors, Taveuni
residents still exude pride and confidence in their step.
With a population of around 12,000 inhabitants, Taveuni
is sparsely populated. Virtually all of whom live in
traditional Fijian villages and are quite hospitable.
Once known for its coconut plantations, Taveuni's attractions
include world class diving, water falls, and an array
of rare, indigenous flora and fauna. Taveuni has a
number of excellent low and mid-ranged accommodations.
The island can be reached via air from Nadi or Suva
or on a local ferryboat.
Other islands in the "Taveuni Group" are the
beautiful unspoiled Matagi, Qamea, Laucala and Kaibu
which depend for their livelihood on tourism and copra.
Sigatoka
Sigatoka was proclaimed a town in 1959 about 40 years.
It is the nerve centre of a huge province via Nadroga/Navosa
which serves a population of approximately 60,000 people.
Located in the centre of east and west, Sigatoka enjoys
some of the best beaches and naturally beautiful locations
for hotel and resorts in Fiji. It is located within 100km
zone of Fiji’s gateway town and international airport – Nadi.
Sigatoka also is easily accessible as a visitor destination.
Sigatoka also has a vast range of facilities such as
shopping – for both locals and tourists, entertainment,
sporting facilities, health and medical services, transportation
and communications.
Matangi Islands
A 240 acre privately owned tropical island situated amongst
the beautiful northern islands of Fiji in the South
Pacific.
There are no cars, no roads, no villages, and no rush.
A horseshoe-shaped island, Matangi is ringed by several
beautiful white sand beaches, and wraps around a lagoon
of pure aquamarine.
Located 190 miles northeast of Nadi, Fiji, the home
of Fiji's International Airport, Matangi Island is a
short plane flight, yet seemingly another world, away.
Matangi Island, home to one of Fiji's premier tropical
island beach resorts, is the epitome of a South Pacific
island paradise. The only thing on Matangi Island is
Matangi Island Resort, one of the top small luxury hotels
of the world.
Matangi Island is one of the most beautiful islands
in Fiji and certainly the most unique resort islands
in the world. |
