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Fiji Islands |
Fiji Garden IslandTaveuni is known in English as the “Fiji Garden Island”, since it is filled with a breathtaking abundance of tropical plants. It is one of the youngest islands in Fiji and it is rugged, wet and comparatively unexploited. The accommodations here tend to be rustic rather than plush. The Fiji Garden Island is situated seven kilometres southeast of Vanua Levu. It is 42 kilometres long and 11 kilometres wide at average. Fiji Garden Island is today home to roughly 12,000 inhabitants, many of them descendants to the renowned Taveuni warriors. A majority of the population still live together in traditional villages. Fiji Garden Island – flora and faunaThe mongoose was introduced to many Fijian islands in an effort to control the rat populations in the cane fields, but preferred to hunt birds and the harmless Fijian snakes. Fortunately for the Fiji Garden Island, the mongoose was never introduced here and the bird-life is therefore thriving. (The snakes are non-poisonous, so there is no need to worry about them when you go on hike.) Many bird species that have been extinct from major Fijian islands like Viti Levu and Vanua Levu can still be encountered on the Fiji Garden Island. The Fiji Garden Island is also home to an endemic flower named Tagimaucia. Tagimaucia means “crying tears of despair” in the local language. If you want to see this rare plant in its native environment, you have to ascend four thousand feet above see level, to the fringes of the volcanic lake. Fiji Garden Island – getting aroundTo get to the Fiji Garden Island you can take a boat from Vanua Levu, a large island located seven kilometres away. There is also an airport at the Fiji Garden Island, the Matei Airport (TVU). Around the airport, several small restaurants and shops have congregated. Fiji Garden Island – accommodationA majority of the accommodations on Fiji Garden Island are budget or mid-range alternatives. You can for instance spend the night in a traditional Fijian ‘bure’. In the area near the airport, new holiday homes have been constructed and some owners are willing to rent out their property to vacationers. Fiji Garden Island – the Warrior Burial CaveWhile staying at the Fiji Garden Island, you should definitely pay a visit to the Warrior Burial Cave. Traditionally, this cave was used as a secret burial cave for Taveuni warriors, to hide their bodies from rivalling tribes. The cave was re-discovered in the 1950s and the remains of the warriors were removed. The cave is roughly 350 meters long and ends at the edge of the ocean. Bring suitable choose and a flashlight, and prepare for a dark and damp adventure. You can get transportation and hire a guide for around F$40. If you want to, a stop at the Sogulu Plantation can be included.
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