Cultural sightseeing in Fiji

The Pacific Ocean Island, Fiji, is a colorful archipelago whose culture is an exotic mixture of Indian, Chinese, Oceanic, and European traditions. Surrounded by green hills dotted with small rivers, picturesque blue lagoons, and luxurious beaches, are situated unique attractions. These are ancient buildings and the most interesting museums, luxurious temples and historical-cultural centers. Majority of them are concentrated in the capital city and other large cities. Suva is the center of political, economic, and cultural life of the islands. It is also the main port and the oldest city of the archipelago. Today, Suva is a real paradise for cosmopolitans. Here you have sheltered under one sky, Fijians and Hindus, Europeans and Chinese, as well as representatives of other islands.

The central landmark of the capital is the museum of Fiji in the Thurston Botanical Garden. From the middle of the 20th century, the museum has made available on display an impressive collection of historical artifacts. The age of individual archaeological exhibits is more than one millennium. Also of interest are the building of the University of the South Pacific, and the colonial-style houses on Victoria Parade Street, the Suva Municipal Market, and the abandoned Jewish cemetery. In the Church of Saint Francis Xavier High near Kings Road, you can see ancient frescoes. It is also worth visiting the Centenary Methodist Church on Stuart Street. The building of the Parliament of Fiji constructed in the 90’s of the 20th century, represents a typical communal structure known as – “Vale”. Its open corridors and cool halls are decorated with colorful tapestries embroidered with national Fijian patterns.

10 kilometers from the city are located the oldest cultural center in Fiji “Orchid Island”, the famous Albert Park, the traditional Fijian Temple Bure Kalou with a 15-meter tower, an ethnographic village with folk crafts, and an Aboriginal theater. Also worth visiting is the quiet agrarian town of Sigatoka to the west of Suva, with its Kalevu cultural center, unusual architectural mansion near the hilly border, a large mosque, and a noisy market. In the territory of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, tourists can see the ancient tombs which date back to the 15th century BC. There are also the sacred caves Naihere with samples of earthenware and working tools. In the archaeological park Tavuni Hill Fort, were preserved the remains of fortified settlements of the Indigenous Tonga, including Fort Tavuni, which in the 18th century belonged to the legendary Tongan leader Maile Latemai. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the city of Nadi is situated the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere – Sri Siva Subramaniya temple. Each of the three parts of the thirty-meter structure is dedicated to one of the deities of Hinduism: Skanda, Meenakshi, and Ganesha. The interior of the temple is decorated with bright frescoes and wooden carvings. In the mountainous region of Nausori, there are two picturesque traditional villages – Navala and Bukuya. All the buildings in these villages today are built in the likeness of Polynesian tribal houses. In the city of Levuk filled with colonial buildings, it is worth seeing the school of the Marist Convent, the town hall, and the Masonic lodge. Among other popular tourist sites of Ovalau Island are; the original village of Lovoni which is located in the crater of an extinct volcano, the ancient graves of island leaders, and the Fort Kor-Levu.

In the foothills of Nausori, is located the Garden of a Sleeping Giant, founded by the American actor Raymond Barr in the 70’s of the 20th century. Initially, it was created for breeding orchids from the private collection of the actor. Today, on twenty hectares of land framed by emerald greenery and luxurious flowers, operates the Barra House Museum, in which a collection of his photographs and personal effects are displayed. Several viewing platforms and a cozy tea house are also situated there. In the “sugar capital” of Fiji, Lautoka, you will find in addition to the best market on the western coast, Viti Levu Market, a botanical garden, a golf club, and four cinemas, there are truly intriguing attractions. One of them is an old sugar mill on Nadova Road, which was opened at the very beginning of the 20th century. Also noteworthy is the Krishna temple Lautoka – the largest in the Pacific region.

Traditional villages are very popular among tourists, providing a unique opportunity to get to know the life of indigenous Fijians, as well as witness their authentic rites and rituals. Thus, in the village of Solyov on the Malolo Island, ceremonies of drinking yaqona are regularly held for tourists. In the small church of the village of Sosa, on the island of Navichi, there are fine wooden products of local artisans. In the city of Savusavu, you can visit the pearl farm and the ancient ship “Tuy Tai”. On the island of Sava-i-Lau in the amazing limestone grottoes, is located the mysterious refuge of the powerful ten-headed Fijian deity Uluitini.