The Fiji - Pacific Idyll III.

Lautoka

The town of Lautoka is situated along north-west coast of Viti Levu Island, approx. 25 kilometres distant from Nadi, International Airport. According to the legend, a hostility arose among two tribes, and the leader of north tribe killed his opponent, crying: „Lau toka!“ („spear stroke“). This shout served for name of the village, where the dispute was effected. In 1789, famous frigate „Bounty“, led by Captain Bligh, landed at Lautoka coast. So, this man was, together with his crew, the first people from Europe who reached this area.

At present, Lautoka is small town with big port. The locality borders with endless Pacific Ocean, and on the other part, with fields where sugar cane is planted, being worked in local sugar -factory (which is the greatest one in the country) afterthat. In the town, you can visit botanical garden, golf club, sporting complex, movies. Apart of this, each year, Sugar Festival is taken place there.

Denarau and Abaka - two spa centres - belong to main local tourist places of interest. In Denarau Island, two luxurious resorts are to be found, followed by golf playground and yachtclub. On the other hand, Abaka has several spa centres, market place, offering products of local industry, tax-free shops and modern port in Point Vuda.

Levuka

Small town of Levuka is situated in Ovalau Island. In past, during period of British colonial supremacy, the locality was a capital of the area. The town was established at the end of 18th century by merchants with sandal-wood. Later, during 19th century, big port was built there, and the whole area became a centre of whale industry. However, Levuka changed from capital to spa town only (owing to lack of space), and Suva became a capital. In the environs, a lot of free place for bathing and diving could be found.

Anyway, the best way, how to recognize the whole Ovalau Island, is an excursion by bicycle. In west direction from Levuka, directly in the centre of the island, a picturesque small village of Lovoni is situated. This locality is famous for a fact that this belongs to few inhabitated places of the globe, placed inside volcanic crater.

Vanua Levu

North Island of Vanua Levu („Big Country“) is the second greatest island in Fiji group of islands. This area is not frequently visited by tourists. Thanks to such fact, local old Fiji traditions were preserved there. The original tribes are living there, and just here, you can discover non -investigated places of wild nature, untouched coral cliffs and spots of birds´ breeding places.

Savusavu

Small town of Savusavu is situated along banks of picturesque and deep bay in south part of Vanua Levu Island. British colonists established Savusavu in 18th century as a port for exportation of sandal-woods. Later, within 19th century, the area was interefered with cotton boom, and the town begun to develop very quickly. Anyway, at present, it is calm coast small town, the economy of which is based on coco-nuts growing and exportation of dried coco-nuts stave. The town is consisted of one main street only, bordered with office buildings, shops, market place, library, hospital, etc. Nevertheless, thermal springs belong to main Savusavu attraction.

Text: Maxim Kucer

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: Wikimedia commons, Charles Stinson, Warpath, Merbabu, Grillo, Littleblackpistol