Paradise for Sale - Nananu-I-Ra, Viti Levu, Fiji [lots of pics] little (eng)

Andromeda
Michael
Thu 30 Jul 2015 11:14

 

 

17:18.253S 178:13.060E

15.-31. July 2015

Paradise for Sale - Nananu-I-Ra, Viti Levu, Fiji

 

Some interesting facts from wikipedia:

 

The island is 3.5 square kilometers and has a maximum elevation of 180 meters. The name "Nananu-I-Ra" means "Daydream of the West" in Fijian.

Fijian mythology holds that Nananu-I-Ra is the point of departure for disembodied spirits leaving this world for the afterlife.

 

Nananu-I-Ra was once used as an experimental sheep farm, a cotton plantation and then a coconut plantation. At one point, Procter and Gamble purchased three fourths of the island then sold it in 2004 to a New Zealand based Developer. The general population is predominantly European retirees and some Fijians with a permanent population of roughly 40 full time residents. There are no roads on the island and the mode of transportation is by foot.

 


We enjoyed 2 lovely, mostly also pretty windy days at this wonderful, somewhat peculiar shaped island. We anchored in the SW in front of many empty vacation homes with beautifully kept gardens.

 

Right: At low tide it was difficult to get ashore, even with the kayak.

 

Below: A little walk up the hill gives a lovely view of our anchorage and

Malake Island on the right.

 

After 4 days underway and with no civilization, we were delighted

 to find a MacDonalds!

We came for a simple but delicious dinner (mostly because of absence of preparation and dishes on board) and met some nice guest. This gentleman just turned 70 and bought an old resort at Taveuni Island. He had a construction company and no inclination to lean back and relax for long it seems!

 

The Developer keeps several paths all across the island, surely to make it easy to show the different areas to prospective buyes ideal for daily walks and explorations with lovely views.

 

 

 

It is very laid back here and yachties are welcome at the budget pensions and at the Safari Lodge, a backpacker place that offers kiting, surfing and diving.

 

We found a deserted hotel with beautiful suites on top of a hill and were surprised to find ourselves walking through a big forest with huge tree trunks, palm trees and vines.

 

Michael also caught up with a Swiss cruiser he had met in 2006 in Trinidad and Tobago! Here's his crew Sara who joined me for snorkel excursion one day.