Solitude is not hard to grasp in Vanua Levu, the very remote, second largest island of Fiji. Even though there are only a few people and electricity is as rare as the blue moon, Vanua Levu is never short of possibilities for excursion, be it upland or down under. Tied to the north of the larger Viti Levu, Vanua Levu was formerly known as Sandalwood Island for its formerly abundant sandalwood supply. From Suva or Nadi, Vanua Levu can be easily touched by frequent air transfers but also through a cheaper but longer way—by boat. Whether aboard a plane or a vessel, views of coral reefs and coconut plantations drape the scene. The growing resort town of Savusavu is the Island's bestseller for its diving, kayaking and yachting facilities or for its famous night haunts serving the monthly Sunday lovo (food cooked in pit oven). Boats and copra factories were also given a facelift to serve as souvenir shops or hotels. Kocoma, the largest village, is noted for paileve, a pit-fermented delicacy. The migration of tairo or red land crabs occurs in a November full moon. The cigar-shaped Taveuni, known as ‘Garden Island of Fiji,' is a throbbing system of abundant fauna and corals including the Rainbow Reef and Vuna Reef. A natural reserve, Yadua Taba, houses Fiji's critically endangered iguanas. The Lake Tagimaucia inside a volcanic crater is the habitat of the rare tagimaucia flower. The Bouma Falls, Fiji's most famous waterfalls, is also in Taveuni. Sugar trains, Bollywood tunes, Indian saris and Indo-Fijian knick knacks abound the Island's largest town, Labasa. For those who want to form their own tribes Woodstock style, Vorovoro is a members-only, self-sustaining island for camping and outdoor adventure. Tunuloa Peninsula forms the Natewa Bay, South Pacific's longest bay frequented by spinner dolphins. Matagi Island's horseshoe-shaped islet, the Horseshoe Bay, is visited for windsurfing, sailing and water-skiing, while Qamea's Naivivi Bay is where daredevils brave the hurricane hole.
