Things to do in Labasa

A phenomenon at the Snake Temple is a large rock shaped like a cobra that supposedly keeps growing. Another phenomenon is Floating Island located in a circular lake, a small islet that apparently has no roots.

To arrive at Snake Temple is somewhat of an experience.  After travelling over ruts and potholes passing sugarcane, goats, cattle and bullocks grazing along the roadside, rice paddies and cassava patches you walk up to your ankles in some sort of black mud and arrive at the Chief’s house to hear the story of Snake Temple.

Legend of the Floating Islands
“In the old days, our ancestorsfished in the sea from three floating islands the size of large houses. Over two hundred years ago, tribes from across the mountains wanted two islands for themselves, but no agreement was reached so they blocked the channel and left only one floating island for us. Now, when our priest chants, it’ll move from place-to-place…eventually stopping along the shore…”

The brightly colored red, blue and yellow Snake Temple has three stories. Inside is an offering of brightly colored flowers and tinsel garlands drape over a black basalt stone that resembles a cobra poised to strike. The devotees circle the cobra-rock three times lighting incense sticks and drizzling coconut milk and turmeric powder intended as gifts for the snake God.

Labasa has guest houses, a couple of hotels and an inn. Restaurants are not plentiful and are a combination of Chinese and Indian fare.

Indian firewalking takes place once a year between June and October at Agnimela Mandir, the Firewalker’s Temple at Vunivau northeast of Labasa.

 Vanua Levu is a mixture of everything that is Fiji and Fijian. A microcosm of Fiji displaying all that is appealing, interesting and unique about the Fiji Islands.