'You Wont Be Sorry To

Be In Vanua Levu'

In my view, one of the misfortunes of the Fiji tourist iustry is that the colony’s main port and its international air rt are located on Viti Levu instead of on the big neighbouring and of Vanua Levu.

From a Fiji Correspondent

NICALLY, and from the point f view of bathing beaches, there an be no question that Vanua has a very substantial edge 3 neighbour. i it also now has substantially : road surfaces in most areas, wo fine modern metalled roads ie north and south coasts. present, there is not the imodation on Vanua Levu for massive tourist invasion, but tourists who do manage to lirough the barrage of publicity l promotes Viti Levu, are not to be disappointed with what find. ; range and variety of scenery, the pleasing mountain vistas rolling cane country of the coast to the miles of coconut ations and lovely coastal ,es and views of the south-east rom Savusavu or the scenic across the big island as a to Savusavu to that erful view from the Fijian u District School on the heights voniqua looking down the full i of the great Natewa Bay ds the north-east, it view must be equal to any in Fiji, Why Not Liners? 3re may possibly be technical ns why some of the great 3 liners that call at Suva could be diverted also to Savusavu

or even to Natewa Bay. Such liners call sometimes at Rarotonga which is not at all geared tor tourism and h^rt b of n call oted a h *“ y populai port of call.

A day ashore at Labasa s deep water anclmrage of Malau or at Savusavu with road transport out from those ports could be equally rewarding—mueh more so (let it be whispeied.) than any motor drive cut of Suva. 0r cr hise an angeme t for anua Levu would be for the passengers to be landed by launc ft Buca Ba y^ th p e n r p V^nnr d 7bronSS that pleasant coast tour through forests and coconut plantations along the sp i e ndid, little used Hibiscus Highway-to Savusavu

town, with bathing and picnic lunch en route.

An application for a licence to establish a hotel along this High way, at a point 25 miles from Buca Bay* and the same distance from Savusavu, is to be considered soon by the Fiji licensing authorities.

Beautifully located, it will have fresh water and beach swimming, tennis court and bowling rink, and will greatly increase the tourist potential of this attractive part of Vanua Levu. Mr. Hugh Thaggard is the promoter.

Nearer Savusavu town Mr. and Mrs. C. G. O. Parr already operate a pleasant tourist spot of the bure accommodation type and have plans to extend.

Which Comes First?

In Vanua Levu, as elsewhere, it is a question of which comes first —the tourist promotion publicity or the increased accommodation. What ever the reason, this island does not seem to get its fair share of such publicity yet, although various writers in PIM have been extolling its charms over the last two years or more.

There are those who, having looked this island over, would not hesitate to recommend their friends to head first to Vanua Levu to “see the best of Fiji”—and then, only then to return to the “civilised” island for the bright lights and to dispose of their remaining cash on the transistor radio shopping spree.

They would not be disappointed.

Vanua Levu's north coast highway pushes steadily westward from Labasa. The Naua bridge some 38 miles out of Labasa, will be completed by the end of this year.

A tranquil scene on Vanua Levu —Labasa's river port which fronts the garden of the Grand Eastern Hotel. Northern Vanua Levu is known for its sugar cane, but the other side of the island is famous for its bananas. Above are some at Savusavu, which has also much of tourist interest.