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aveuni and the Koro Sea: The Garden       Read about our very own experience here: of the mangrove forests up the Rewa River

T Island past which runs the Somosomo           The Best Shark Dive in the World.              Delta daily from Nausori makes for an ad-

Strait whose soft coral splendor allows Fiji    A rts Village - Pacific Harbour’s Arts Vil-    venturous journey.
to lay claim to being ‘The soft coral capital         lage is a mixture of historical fantasy
of the world’. The waters around Taveuni        and contemporary local flavor. Cultural        C hurch of Saint Francis Xavier - Perched
and south into the Koro Sea are rich and                                                             high on a hill overlooking the dusty
nutrient-filled, supporting large marine        performances include boat tours around         Kings Road on the northwestern side of
ecosystems which means lots of great dive
sites.                                          the adjacent lagoon, temple and market         Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu, The Church

K adavu - The real Fiji, away from the big      tours and traditional displays of Fijian fire of Saint Francis Xavier is a must-visit for its
      resorts where life can go at the pace
you want and where the diving feels like        walking, all guaranteed to induce ‘oohs’ and unique marrying of European and Fijian.
the last frontier. Eco-friendly resorts, local
culture and plenty of breathtaking dive         ‘ahhs’.                                        Straw mats instead of pews meet beauti-
sites in and around the well-known Great
Astrolabe Reef.                                 A stonishing Hot Springs and Mud Baths         ful frescos, originally commissioned by the
                                                      - Fiji’s hidden hot springs gem is be-   former chaplain to the famous Von Trapp
V iti Levu - One of Fiji’s best kept secrets                                                   family of The Sound of Music fame.
       is the top quality diving at Rakiraki
with colorful pristine reefs and an abun-       lieved by locals to have healing properties.   F ijian dancing - The traditional dance of
dance of fish. Special mention too must         Irrespective of its claims, the three pools,        the indigenous people of Fiji Islands,
go the shark feeding dives conducted in         warm mud baths and lush natural back-
the waters off Pacific Harbor. You can have
heart-stopping moments with the bosses          drop combine to make a seriously relaxing experiencing a meke is almost unavoidable,
of the ocean and just off Fiji’s main island.
                                                experience.                                    particularly if you’re staying at an island re-

                                                B oat trip through mangrove forests -          sort. Well-known meke types are fan dances
                                                      Many parts of the coast along Viti Levu  performed by women, and spear or club
                                                                                               dances performed by men. The locals dress

                                                are covered in mangrove forests. These         entirely in the national costume of flower

                                                areas are extremely rich in wildlife and       leis, grass skirts and tapa cloth. The men

                                                are favorite spots for local fishing. A boat perform warrior dances while the women

                                                journey through the meandering corridors sing.
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