Lautoka

Fiji’s second largest city, Lautoka is the center of the sugar and timber industries and also the home port of Blue Lagoon Cruises. It is a beautiful city, with towering royal palms lining the main Vitogo Parade. Since it is not dependent on tourism, there is a relaxed pace to the city. The Lautoka Sugar Mill anchors the city and is one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. During the crushing season (June – November) the city is rife with narrow gauge train cars piled high with cane being taken to the mill for crushing. As a byproduct of sugar cane, Bounty brand rum has gained an international following.

Another unique tour out of Lautoka is up to the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park adjacent to Abaca (Am-bath-a) Village. There are waterfalls to view a short walk from the village and you can get a panoramic over Nadi, the Mamanucas and southern Yasawas islands.

Midway between Lautoka and Nadi (off the main road) is the chiefly village of Viseisei. It is a large, well kept village and mostly not indicative of others you will see in Fiji. The grand bure (bu-rey) is the official residence of the paramount chief of Fiji – the Tui Vuda (too-ee vun-dah). Tours are available that combine this with a stop at the Vuda Point lookout over the Mamanucas and the Garden of the Sleeping Giant.

A short distance north of the airport and inland on Wailoka Road is The Garden of the Sleeping Giant. It is at the base of Mt. Evans, which when seen from a distance resembles a giant reclining figure. The anatomical parts are best left to the imagination. Started by the late actor Raymond Burr in 1977, the Garden is home to a multitude of unusual orchids grown in their natural habitats. A leisurely walk-through will take about an hour not counting stops for pictures. Leave time somewhere in your itinerary for a stop here.