On the exotic Fijian island of Ovalau, perhaps one of the most interesting cities in the entire archipelago is located – this is the old colonial capital of Fiji under the funny name of Levuka. In the 19th century, the city was an important center for whaling, and even more so – the first European settlement in Fiji. Today it is a popular resort full of buildings from the colonial era. However, in order to bask in the sea, few people come here, but wandering through the unique streets, as if descended from a movie about the Wild West – very much so.
After spending a day or two here, you can get to know half of the city. And all as one will be exceptionally welcoming and friendly, presenting, at the same time, a very bright ethnic cocktail: Fijians, Europeans, and “Chinese-Fijians” and even “Indo-Fijians” live in Levuka. The mixture is extremely interesting and memorable. Many call the inhabitants of Levuka perhaps more important attraction than local buildings, temples and parks.
How to get there
The easiest way to get to Fiji is through Seoul or Tokyo, but you will have to change in any case, and in total you will spend at least 17 hours in the air. Most of the international flights are made to the international airport of Nadi or Suva, which is on the island of Viti Levu. Then there is very little left: from Suva every day from Monday to Saturday, breathtaking 20-minute flights are made to Ovalau, where Levuka is located. Flights are operated by Northern Air Services (departure usually in the morning).
The airport is a 40 minute drive from Levuka on the west side of Ovalau. Taxis run to the city, you can also use the services of buses.
The second option is to get from the island of Viti Levu (Suva resort) by sea on Patterson Brothers Shipping flights. On the way, taking into account the bus to the pier, you will have to make about 4.5 hours, but it’s worth it – they say it’s a very picturesque and memorable journey.
Weather in Levuka
The ideal time to visit Levuki is the Fijian winter: May-November. At this time of the year, the temperature on the island reaches comfortable levels of +22…+26. In the summer, from November to April, tropical fauna blooms with might and main, there is a suffocating heat, plus heavy rains are frequent. See CITYPOPULATIONREVIEW for weather information.
Attractions and attractions Levuki
There are enough attractions in Levuka to share with all the islands of Fiji, and many of them are extremely important at the state level. For example, Seishen Site, where the Protectorate Pact was signed with Great Britain. Here is the so-called “freedom stone”, which was installed in 1970 in honor of the signing of the treaty on the independence of Fiji from England.
Another important attraction is the graceful Sacred Heart Church (1858, Address: Beach St). It is worth visiting the school of the convent Marist-Convent, visiting the local town hall and the Romanesque building of the Masonic Lodge. Tired of the heat, you can look into the local Fiji Museum, where you can get to know the history of the region better (admission is about 2.5 USD, opening hours, 8:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:20 Mon-Fri, 9:00 -13:00 Sat).
Lovoni
To the west of the city, in the very center of the island, is the village of Lovoni. This is one of the few residential places on the planet located in a volcanic crater. Between Lovoni and the coast stretches a tropical forest, in which it is worth seeing the ancient cemetery of the island’s leaders and the Koro Levu Fort.
Here, as well as almost everywhere in Fiji, good diving. It is also worth arranging a bike tour and exploring the island.
