THE GUIDE - Rough Guide to Fiji - page 174

By carrier van or day tour A private carrier van from beside Ba market costs F$45, or you
can visit on a day tour from Nadi.
ACCOMMODATION
Bulou's Eco Lodge 628 1224 or 666 6644 after beep dial 2116, sipirian-
[e-mail] ; map . Perched on the banks of the Ba River a 5min walk south of the vil-
lage, the ten-bed dorm lodge forms part of Bulou's house and is a bit cramped, but you're
likely have it to yourself (bring a small sevusevu ). The two en-suite bures are set down a
small trail on a hillside clearing overlooking the river. The lodge can arrange guided walks in
the hills with the energetic Tui, likely to be a highlight of your visit. R ates i include boun tiful
Fijian meals and altogether it provides a great local experience. Dorms F$65 ; bures F$180
Ba
Located just south of the Kings Road and separated from the ocean by a huge mangrove es-
tuary, BA can easily be missed. The town has a population of around 15,000 - mostly Indi-
ans - making it the fifth largest town in Fiji. Many of the residents are Muslim and the town
mosque is a major landmark. The only other significant building is the large sugar mill south
of the centre. Apart from stopping for a meal or visiting the market (on the south side of
town off Rarawai Road, near the bus stand), few tourists pass this way. There is one quirky
sight on the way out of town - a giant soccer ball sitting on the pavement at the western en-
trance of Main Street, a reference to the town's obsession with the beautiful game.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: BA
By bus A local bus service runs between Nadi and Ba several times daily (F$2.80). You can
also reach Ba on the plusher Sunbeam Transport and Pacific Transport services, which pass
through Ba several times daily on the north coast route.