Fiji – Taveuni

BeckyOceania

The island of Taveuni is known as the “Garden Island” of Fiji. We spent 10 days here and are happy to report that Taveuni lived up to its very high expectations. We booked all 3 bures at the petite Makaira Resort in Matei to host our family reunion which was a great choice because the location is simply sublime. Highlights of our time spent on the Garden island would undoubtedly include the Lavena Coastal Walk (a must do activity), hopping over from “today” to “yesterday” at the International Date Line (one of the few land masses that the 180° meridian crosses), sliding down the natural water slide of Waitavala, SCUBA diving the Rainbow Reef, snorkeling with manta rays in the Somosomo Straits, eating a delicious lovo dinner at Wiwi Village, and hiking up to all 3 waterfalls of Tavoro. Taveuni quickly earned our vote as our favorite of the Fijian islands – visit for yourself to experience what all the hype is about!!!

Our villa on the garden island of Taveuni; Makaira Resort Panoramic view of Matei Spotting a moral eel while snorkeling in front of our villa Spadefish Blue spotted sting ray Juvenile fish hiding in coral Finding a massive conch Black and white banded sea snake - highly venemous so we kept our distance! Loads of sea snails to be seen while snorkeling off Taveuni See no evil (Robby), hear no evil (Gracie), speak no evil (Emma) Family photo in Taveuni (Gracie, Fran, Emma, Bob, Nancy, Becky, Ann, Luke) Our 7 am breakfast ritual at Makaira Resort Gracie loving the non stop attention from Uncle Luke and Aunt Becky Our Lavena coastal hike outfits Taveuni Ocean Sports shack; Matei Frannie tickling Robby's ear as we wait for the public bus to take us to Lavena Fantastic views on the 1 hour bus ride from Matei to Lavena (a bargain at only 3.80 FJD) Small village near Bouma Bure bus stop Coastal scenery on our drive to Lavena - the road is unpaved and quite bumpy! Disembarking our bus at Lavena The Lavena Coastal Walk & Visitor Center - the friendly staff will get a local guide to show you the way to the waterfall Pet pig; Lavena Luke and Robby enjoying our 5 km stroll on the famous "Lavena Coastal Walk" - one of Taveuni's must do activities Panorama of the view on our Lavena Coastal Walk Flower mustaches Waterfall in the distance Foliage seen on our Lavena coastal walk Cyclone Winston blew out the swinging bridge so we had to wade across the river; Lavena Coastal Walk River crossing view Luke and his crab friend Crossing over another river Robby making his way across the river Banana munchers Our awesome guide Simoni showing us the kava plant Pinnacle rocks Cat whiskers; Lavena Coastal Walk Hiking up the final section leading to the waterfall; Lavena Coastal Walk At long last, the waterfall is in sight at the end of the Lavena Coastal Walk Striking a pose in the waterfall pool; Lavena We had to swim about 200 meters through this passage to reach the waterfall Another view of the passage you have to swim through to reach the waterfall Smiling at the end of our hot, sweaty walk - the waterfall is super refreshing and well worth the effort Luke climbing up to slide down the waterfall After an hour of enjoying this lovely spot to ourselves, we finally tear ourselves away (Robby, Simoni, Luke, Franny & Becky) Orange fruit dove; Lavena Coastal Walk Boat ride to check out the second waterfall (which can only be reached by boat and costs 140 FJD for up to 6 people) The beautiful, secluded second waterfall Smiling before leaving the second waterfall - everyone loved the Lavena Coastal adventure! Franny posing at the front of our boat; Lavena The view on the drive back to Matei Sunset over Matei Lucy preparing breakfast for us every morning; Makaira Resort Hibiscus flower decoration at our breakfast table Getting ready to dive Rainbow Reef with Taveuni Ocean Sports Clark anemone fish A giant moray eel peers out from the brain coral Orange finned anenome fish Neon blue and yellow fish Grouper trying to blend in with the rock Crown of thorns Tomato anemone fish Snorkeling with manta rays! The 180 degree meridian where each new day begins! Apart from Siberia, Antarctica and 2 other Fiji islands, the meridian crosses no other land. Here, Robby tries to pull Becky from today back into "yesterday" Beautiful garden at the Wairiki Mission The Taveuni Catholic Church, also known as the Wairiki Mission Emma and Becky prepare to beat the lali drum; Taveuni Cathedral Inside the Wairiki Mission - the prettiest church on Taveuni Interior detail of Wairiki Mission Overlooking the historic site where Taveuni fighters battled invading Tongans. The underdogs won and celebrated by roasting the Tongans and eating them with breadfruit! The first store to open in the world - the Meridian Store Meridian cinema - where you can spend yesterday and today watching movies! Hiking to the Waitavala Waterslide Panorama of Waitavala Waterslide Sliding down Waitavala Waterslide is at your own risk - expect lots of bumps and bruises and a whole lot of fun! We had the entire Waitavala Waterslide to ourselves early on a week day morning - we heard the weekends would be packed wth visitors! Laughing the entire way down the Waitavala Waterslide! Group photo before we leave the waterslide (Robby, Franny, Emma, Gracie, Becky and Luke) Posing with Harry, our awesome Taveuni taxi driver! Fear not, the Waitavala Waterslide is next to a prison but the prisoners are super friendly! School scene; Taveuni Shopping at MH Supermarket - the largest one in Taveuni Liquor land is behind a caged area - since alcohol is so expensive in Fiji, this makes a lot of sense! Swimming with Grace and Emma in the private plunge pool Snapshot of our daily breakfast; Makaira Resort Gracie and Emma posing with our breakfast flowers; Makaira Resort Gorgeous view from our breakfast table; Makaira Resort Robby ballin' in Fiji! Lovo underground at Wiwi Village Preparing for the village meke Unearthing our lovo meal - root crops, chicken and fish were incredibly delicious! Sia explaining all the lovo dishes that we will enjoy for our dinner tonight; Wiwi Village Big smile from Robby over his amazing lovo meal Village girls sing and dance for our meke performance The boys laughing during their performance; Wiwi Village Meke Pretty sea shells abound around Taveuni Gracie and Emma looking at Aunt Nancy's videos of Bella in her performance Playing Catan on one of the few rainy afternoons we had in Taveuni Getting excited to visit Tavoro waterfall Loading up the van to visit the 3 waterfalls at Bouma Tavoro Waterfall Visitor Center Franny, Grace and Emma at the entrance to the Tavoro Waterfall Park The first waterfall is a flat 10 minute hike away Foliage on our short hike to the base of the first waterfall What a beautiful sight! The first waterfall is the highest and has the biggest swimming pool. Luckily, we have it all to ourselves Family photo at the Tavoro Waterfall Luke smiling on the hike up to the 2nd waterfall Looking down on the first waterfall; Tavoro Its getting hot and sweaty on our hike to the 2nd waterfall; Tavoro Taking a break to soak up the gorgeous views We love Taveuni - truly the "Garden Island" of Fiji! Coastal view on our Tavoro Hike Pretty flowers; Tavoro hike Robby and Luke debate left or right track - which way to go? We definitely recommend the left track that crosses over the river to reach the second waterfall A defiant purple crab blocks our way on the hiking track; Tavoro Staircase leading up to the second waterfall At long last, the second waterfall is in sight Posing in front of the second waterfall at Tavoro Our parting view of the second waterfall at Tavoro 15 years of marriage later, Becky can still get a chuckle out of Robby by presenting him with a flower; Tavoro Yay! We finally made it to the third waterfall where we finally take a dip to cool down Panorama of the 3rd waterfall at Tavoro Gracie and Becky take a dip in the swimming pool of the waterfall; Tavoro Bula from Taveuni! Gracie and Becky have big smiles after our trip to Tavoro Waterfall foto gallery lightboxby VisualLightBox.com v6.1

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