Ancient rock paintings can be seen on Vatulele in the Southern Islands. There are two separate sites. One is 20 meters up on a cliff face and depicts human-like figures and hand impressions. The other, at the opening to an inland cave, shows numerous hand impressions. Unfortunately they are quite difficult to get to unless staying at the beautiful and justifiably expensive resort on the island.
There are also rock paintings in the caves on Sawa-i-Lau in Yasawa. Coral Air sea-planes provide tours to the caves.
Tour Operators
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Archaeological Sites
Villages throughout the islands can show you areas where ancient sites once stood. Unfortunately most are barely visible with only few stones lying around. Both Nukubolu Village and Wasavula, outside Labasa, have ancient foundations and pottery remnants clearly visible in the overgrown rainforest and there are hill fort foundations and cannibal caves at Naigani in Lomaiviti. However the best presented site, with a visitor centre and guided tours, is Tavuni Fortress along the Coral Coast on Viti Levu. This ancient Tongan settlement with archaeological mounds, foundations and killing stones has been cleared by the government and a visitors centre established. The site is set high on top of a hill overlooking the Sigatoka River Valley and offers excellent views. Guides provide background information to Fiji's past culture. Koroyanitu National Park outside Nadi also has archaeological sites which guided tours will point out.
Tour Operators
Rotuma has some interesting archaeological sights born from the islands' Polynesian past. The king's burial grounds on Sisilo hill are worth a visit. Look out for the grave marked by a canon, as this was the last king buried there before the island was ceded to Fiji in 1864. Several impressive megaliths can also be found along the coastal road.
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Levuka, Old Capital
The Old Capital of Levuka on Ovalau is a charming colonial town which lost its power almost 100 years ago and has since still in time. Most buildings are well preserved and there are several historical sights including a monument where King Cakabau signed Fiji over to the Queen Victoria in 1874. Fiji's oldest hotel, the Royal is located in Levuka along with several churches built in the mid 1800's. There are also several homestays available in Levuka.
Ovalau Tours
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Museum / Cultural Centre
The Fiji Museum in Suva, Viti Levu, has an excellent display of trinkets from pre-European and colonial times. There is a reconstructed traditional canoe - drua - on display. The Museum is a great place to soak up the atmosphere from Fiji's mystical past.
Fiji Museum, Suva - email: fijimuseum@is.com.fj
The Cultural Centre at Pacific Harbour has a theatrical display of Fiji's past and present culture. Canoe rides take visitors past traditional thatch buildings to view the live displays of craft making and lifestyle scenes. Traditional dances (meke) are performed hourly and firewalking several days a week.
Orchid Island, west of Suva, is a less commercialized and slightly zany exhibition of Fiji's past which doubles as a family museum and nature reserve. There is an excellent example of a reconstructed Fijian Temple to visit.
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