Saturday, October 24, 2015

Taveuni - Throwback

NOTE: 

This update is 1 year 8 months old. I think I will call it my Throwback Thoughts...however it seems like only yesterday when we were basking in the sun and walking through an enchanted forest in the island of Taveuni, the third largest in Fiji. 

Apart from the septic arthritis and a fractured clavicle (my intention was not to masquerade being an Amazonian Warrior Princess - although the thought did run through my mind at the time); we relished every moment - the village kids, gravel roads, makeshift resting places, a swinging brigde, carpets of green moss, dense and prehistoric rainforests where geckos ran free. 







With the tickets off course, not forgetting the selfie before jumping into out little space ship.



    This image is one of the highlights from the plane.

Day One

One our first day, we met Sikeli, the custodian of the Bouma National Heritage Park, a knowledgeable gentlemen who knows all the in and out secretes that lie within the lands of Taveuni.

When he spoke, his words flowed with pride of his heritage as he pointed out historical sights where Abel Tasman first sighted Taveuni in 1643 and how tribal warfare broke out in the late 1860s. He spoke of how the very first British Methodist colonists began their outreach at respective villages.

We stayed at Tovutovu http://www.tovutovu.com/ , hosted by Mr Allan Peterson. The property is a family owned waterfront estate and the family has been residing in Taveuni since the early 1800s.

Sikeli drove us to the Bouma Falls, exquisite and the pictures below tell it all. My extremely silly crazy fiancée Allan was taken aback by not just the scenery but the fact he had his second love (lens) to capture those moments.

The walk is not an easy one, especially the 45 minute hike up to the second falls. There are three altogether. This in particular was unexpected creepy, dark, mysterious in a Middle-Earth kind of way. We did have a four legged guide called Simba but for some bizarre reason he responded to Dusty. He enjoyed those  Nature Valley Granola Bars. Love that Fleabag!


The Bouma Falls



Day Two

You need to give yourself one whole day to experience Lavena, apart from being consumed by the scenic coastline, breath taking waterfalls disappearing into the bottle green ocean, lush, and the rainforests, thick with vegetation and resplendent with tropical flowers, Lavena is one of the most picturesque villages on the southern coastline in the island of Taveuni.

What compliments Lavena, is her people. They are the essence of the true “ Fijian Bula” spirit, warm, homely and welcome you in experiencing their lifestyle. 

Lavena also features one of the most beautiful beaches of Taveuni. This beach, with its spectacular white sand and crystal clear water, was featured in the movie "Return of the Blue Lagoon".



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