Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Telephones Outside the post office, in front of Kishore Supermarket on Beach St and at the
Royal Hotel .
North Ovalau
North of Levuka, it's a pleasant 7km walk along the dirt road passing Vatukalo Village to the
large Catholic mission and boarding schools of St John's College at Cawaci . On the south-
ern boundary of the mission, sitting on a bluff overlooking the sea, is the Bishop's Tomb , fi-
nal resting place of Bishop Julien Vidal from France, Fiji's first bishop. From the tomb there's
an impressive view north along the coast towards Cawaci's centrepiece, the twin-towered
Church of St John the Baptist , its thick whitewashed coral stone walls standing out against
the green mountains.
Arovudi Village
At the northern point of Ovalau, 14km from Levuka, there's a beautiful white sandy beach
alongside the village of Arovudi . Between the beach and the village is an impressive rock
foundation where once stood a bure kalou or priest's temple. At the western end of the beach
is a large collection of jet-black volcanic stones used by the women of the village to make
an unusual flavouring known as kora : grated coconut is wrapped in banana leaves and placed
under the stones, where it ferments slowly for four days, a salty flavour being added with
each incoming tide. The women are also renowned for catching sardines , which are chased
by giant trevally into awaiting nets.
ACCOMMODATION: NORTH OVALU
Bobo's Farm North coast, between Taviya and Rukuruku villages 362 3873, bobos-
farm.com . A five-hundred-acre private farm, run by energetic Bobo and his German wife
Karin. It's in a beautiful spot, surrounded by rainforest; Bobo will talk passionately about
the medicinal values of vines, roots and leaves. The single wooden A-frame cottage has two
rooms, a shared lounge, solar power and a cold-water bathroom; delicious organic meals are
served in the farmhouse. A 5min trail alongside a stream leads to an unusual black-sand beach
with good swimming and snorkelling, but you'll need to bring your own snorkel gear. Bobo
can also organize fishing trips, a three-hour hike to Lovoni Crater and trips to Naigani Is-
land . The superb meals made with Bob and Karin's own organic produce cost extra: break-
fast (F$12.50), lunch (F$14), dinner (F$20). The farm is accessed along a 300 m tra ck leading
down to the coast; a taxi from Levuka will drop you at the turn-off for F$30. F$74
Salana Village Stay Northeast of Arovudi Village 835 9260,
sala_nagalu@yahoo.com . Basic but clean accommodation with shared cold-water bath-
rooms and Fijian-style food. There's a range of activities on offer including traditional mat
weaving and a hike to a large hillfort on top of Tomuna Peak (F$30 including lunch, minim-
um two people). Rate includes meals. Dorms F$70
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