Delightful Departures: FUN FIJI FACTS 14

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

FUN FIJI FACTS 14

Taveuni – the “Garden Island”

Four miles across the Somosomo Strait from Vanua Levu’s eastern peninsula is Fiji’s third-largest island. With a volcanic ridge that travels the length of Taveuni (25 miles), this 6-mile wide island soars to an elevation of 4,000 feet in its central portion. Because of the island’s configuration, the southeastern trade winds are blocked by the mountains, causing most of the year’s rainfall (approximately 30 feet) to fall on the eastern side of Taveuni. Consequently, the majority of the island’s residents choose to live on the less rugged, gently sloping western side. Here these Fijians reside on some of the country’s most fertile and well-watered soil which is where the island gets its nickname, the “Garden Island”.

"Flying Fox" fruit bat

Because Taveuni has limited the amount of land clearance and was saved from the introduction of the mongoose to its shores, this island still has all the plants and animals indigenous to Fiji, including the unique “Flying Fox” fruit bat and the Silktail bird. It is also home to the rare tagimaucia flower that bears red blooms with white centers and is generally found near the volcanic crater of Lake Tagimaucia that sits atop the mountains at an elevation of 2,700 feet. This crater lake of Des Voeux Peak is encircled with mud flats and thick vegetation. It is a rare day when you can view the peak without a shroud of clouds. The best time for hiking around the island to see these beautiful sites is during the relatively dry and cooler season from May to September.