We are visiting Fiji for two weeks on our honeymoon. We will stay at Taveuni Island Resort and Dive Kadavu. We like to dive, snorkel, swim, surf and kayak. We are from California and would also like to meet some native Fijians and see how they live. Any suggestions as far as eating, day trips, diving, or anything fun to do. Thanks.

If you head further south down the west side of Taveuni, you will start to meet more locals. Try the tiny village of Waiyevo, just south of the Garden Island Resort. There are 'real' stores and restaurants there. The general store sells fresh and potent kava that one customarily gives as a gift when a guest in someone elses' home. The 'Cannibal Cafe' is a local eatery that serves pretty much nothing but variations on chicken. In town, ask for directions to the Waitevala Waterslide, an area of slick rock that you can slide down, a short walk outside of Waiyevo. The bar at Garden Island Resort usually has a great local string band. That resort also rents kayaks that you can use to journey out to a tiny nearby island. Most of the better hiking is on the east side of the island, specifically the fairly short hike to Lower and Upper Bouma Falls. At the terminus of the west side road you will find the village of Lavena, trailhead for the Lavena Beach Walk, a very nice coastal walk that ends in a wade/swim up a river to a large pool and some waterfalls. The diving on the Rainbow Reef, in the Somosomo Strait between Taveuni and Vanua Levu is fantastic! My favorite spot was The Great White Wall. Also, try a night dive - the soft corals are great at night --- <BR>I think that Dive Kadavu is located quite close to the native village of Matava, which is a great friendly place. The Astrolabe Reef off Matava is a fun dive site, and a decent surfing location, provided you are expert enough to avoid crashing onto the reef! I watched some crazy Aussies do this - it looked insane to me. Have fun!