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Tropical bliss
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Once a notorious home of fierce warriors and cruel currents and best avoided by seafaring folk, these 300 plus 'Cannibal Isles' are today a prime haven for pleasure-seeking tourists, drawn by the perfect climate, stunning beaches, superb diving and simply their reputation for sheer tropical luxuriance. That, and the people there, who are known to be some of the friendliest on earth. They live mainly on two of the largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and are divided between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians as well as a rich mixture of Melanesians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Chinese and Europeans. The visitor will find an abundance of gorgeous resorts and hotels, great food, nightlife as well as historic sights and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, especially those undertaken in and under crystal-clear, azure-coloured water. Uncrowded, inexpensive facilities are available wherever you go.
The islands are divided into various groups. They are arranged in a horseshoe configuration, with Vitu Levu (great Fiji) and adjacent islands on the west, Vanua Levu (great land) and Tavenui to the north and the Lau Group on the east. The Yasawa Group is known as home to some of the Pacific's most heavenly beaches, ideal for the pursuit of such pastimes as snorkelling, swimming and diving amongst the banks of technicolor coral. Otherwise, there are lusciously wooded hills for spectacular hiking, and summits from which you can take in the whole extent of the chain from north to south. The group of more than 20 Mamanuca Islands are often visited by day-trippers who are intrigued to see the quintessential tropical beaches which they offer and enjoy the great diving, snorkelling and surfing. Kadavu has many untouched villages dotted around its verdant hills which still exist by means of subsistence agriculture, but visitors head mainly offshore, where they will discover the Astrolabe Reef and some of the Pacific's best diving. This is one of the southern islands, featuring waterfalls, bush trekking and kayaking as well as eco-tourist resorts such as Vatulele. If you want to push the boundaries of the tourist trail, head out to the remote Rotuma or Lau Group of islands. Both would require several weeks, if not months, to explore and have only basic guest house accommodation and limited infrastructure, thus providing one of the most genuine experiences of life in the South Seas.
Many surfers make the pilgrimage to the famous 'Cloudbreak' wave, found offshore at Tavarua. Other activities to enjoy include wildlife watching, spotting the indigenous fruits bats, parrots and turtles, or even taking part in 'meke', traditional Fijian dancing. For those interested in local culture, there is an Arts Village at Pacific Harbour on Vitu Levu where you can see performances of Fijan firewalking on hot stones. More excursion ideas would be a trip to the Naihehe Sacred Caves situated in the Sigatoka Valley, a stronghold for some of Fiji's last pagan tribes and featuring a priest chamber and ritual platform. The Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in Nadi is the largest Hindu temple to be found in the whole of the southern hemisphere.
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|
Tropical bliss
|
Once a notorious home of fierce warriors and cruel currents and best avoided by seafaring folk, these 300 plus 'Cannibal Isles' are today a prime haven for pleasure-seeking tourists, drawn by the perfect climate, stunning beaches, superb diving and simply their reputation for sheer tropical luxuriance. That, and the people there, who are known to be some of the friendliest on earth. They live mainly on two of the largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, and are divided between indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians as well as a rich mixture of Melanesians, Polynesians, Micronesians, Chinese and Europeans. The visitor will find an abundance of gorgeous resorts and hotels, great food, nightlife as well as historic sights and endless opportunities for outdoor activities, especially those undertaken in and under crystal-clear, azure-coloured water. Uncrowded, inexpensive facilities are available wherever you go.
The islands are divided into various groups. They are arranged in a horseshoe configuration, with Vitu Levu (great Fiji) and adjacent islands on the west, Vanua Levu (great land) and Tavenui to the north and the Lau Group on the east. The Yasawa Group is known as home to some of the Pacific's most heavenly beaches, ideal for the pursuit of such pastimes as snorkelling, swimming and diving amongst the banks of technicolor coral. Otherwise, there are lusciously wooded hills for spectacular hiking, and summits from which you can take in the whole extent of the chain from north to south. The group of more than 20 Mamanuca Islands are often visited by day-trippers who are intrigued to see the quintessential tropical beaches which they offer and enjoy the great diving, snorkelling and surfing. Kadavu has many untouched villages dotted around its verdant hills which still exist by means of subsistence agriculture, but visitors head mainly offshore, where they will discover the Astrolabe Reef and some of the Pacific's best diving. This is one of the southern islands, featuring waterfalls, bush trekking and kayaking as well as eco-tourist resorts such as Vatulele. If you want to push the boundaries of the tourist trail, head out to the remote Rotuma or Lau Group of islands. Both would require several weeks, if not months, to explore and have only basic guest house accommodation and limited infrastructure, thus providing one of the most genuine experiences of life in the South Seas.
Many surfers make the pilgrimage to the famous 'Cloudbreak' wave, found offshore at Tavarua. Other activities to enjoy include wildlife watching, spotting the indigenous fruits bats, parrots and turtles, or even taking part in 'meke', traditional Fijian dancing. For those interested in local culture, there is an Arts Village at Pacific Harbour on Vitu Levu where you can see performances of Fijan firewalking on hot stones. More excursion ideas would be a trip to the Naihehe Sacred Caves situated in the Sigatoka Valley, a stronghold for some of Fiji's last pagan tribes and featuring a priest chamber and ritual platform. The Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple in Nadi is the largest Hindu temple to be found in the whole of the southern hemisphere.