IMAGE: The approach to Vatia Beach Eco Resort.
Social snaps at Vatia Beach Eco Resort.
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The 90-minute journey from the airport to the resort is a glimpse beyond Fiji's polished façade of travel and tourism.
The Sun Coast is the heart of Fiji’s sugar industry.
The sweet stuff accounts for roughly two percent of gross domestic product and about eight percent of total exports.
If you’re playing car bingo along this stretch of Viti Levu, sugar canes are a safe guess.
Lautoka, the so-called Sugar City, is halfway to Vatia Beach.
It’s the base of the Fiji Sugar Corporation, Fiji’s largest private sector employer.
Other attractions include Fiji’s newest McDonald’s restaurant.
IF you take public transport from the airport, you'll need to alight at Ba and hail a taxi.
People hiring a vehicle might want to consider a four-wheel drive.
The final three kilometres to the resort parking lot are unsealed, potholed and peppered with rocks.
Start looking for the Vatia Road turn-off about half an hour after you pass Ba.
Despite being Fiji’s fifth-largest town, Ba rarely rates more than a mention in most travel guidebooks.
It is vital to the story of Vatia Beach. But we’ll delve into that later.
The resort has a second neighbouring community, Tavua.
It’s a modest place, home to 2,400 people.
Both towns are inland, which makes Vatia Beach a popular picnic spot.
It’s the only beach for hundreds of kilometres on the north-western side of Viti Levu.
For a small fee, people can spend the day on the resort grounds.
Many a family reunion and end of year party took place there over the festive season.
