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Robinson Crusoe Island: Fiji's Best-Kept Secret
You certainly don’t
have to get shipwrecked to enjoy a day of fun in a sunny
tropical island paradise like the Robinson Crusoe Island in
Fiji! This beautiful tropical isle hidden away off the Coral
Coast of Viti Levu is most famous for its remarkable underwater
life, coral reefs, white sandy beaches, and beautiful blue
lagoons as well as its friendly island inhabitants! Also known
as the Likuri Island, this tiny island is especially popular
among backpackers because of its clean and affordable
accommodation as well as its simple and laidback island
lifestyle.
Island History
The island has an
amazing history dating as far back as 3,500 years when the first
Polynesians arrived on the shores of the Fiji islands. For the
next 500 years, another tribe of inhabitants known as the
Melanesians arrived on the island. As a result, the Fijian
descendents of today are actually a mixture of these two
cultures, the Polynesians and the Melanesians. Back then, the
island was used for the sole purpose of performing sacred and
traditional ceremonies and gatherings for the tribal chiefs
which has been passed on since generations. It is only recently
that the island was opened to tourism, fully exercising its
potential as an eco-tourism budget destination mainly geared
towards backpackers.
Becoming a True
Islander
The Robinson Crusoe
Island is tucked away in a remote area which is only accessible
by boat. The boat journey to the island itself is an experience
to remember! Venturing through an interesting drive through the
villages, a 30 minute cruise through the jungle river lined with
mangroves followed by a short trip across the lagoon is well
worth it before arriving at the idyllic Robinson Crusoe
Island.
Upon stepping on the
white sandy beach peppered by swaying palm trees and greeted by
soft island music or shouts of BULA! (Which means hello in Fiji)
by the warm and friendly pacific islanders will definitely put a
huge smile to your face! A traditional welcoming ceremony
follows thereafter by introducing to the visitors a local drink
known as Kava (a herbal tea concoction produced by straining a
mixture of water and pounded dried root of the Kava plant)
served in a large wooden bowl. It is a compulsory ritual drink
for the visitor to become a true islander!
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