Levuka - Lomaiviti

Below is a letter sent to the editor of the Fiji Lonely Planet, regarding the errors in their 9th edition.

Dear Mr Starnes,

RE: FIJI LONELY PLANET GUIDE (9th Edition)

I am writing on behalf of the Levuka Tourism Association, regarding your newly published edition of the Fiji Lonely Planet. Overall, our members were most disappointed with the entries for the Lomaiviti group made by your writer Celeste Brash. Basically she has copied entries from the previous edition and has not done her job.
In order for you to appreciate the magnitude of her ineptness we have detailed below a number of inaccuracies. These, in your capacity as the coordinating author, are so obvious you should have picked them up, or at the very least questioned their duplicity from the 8th edition,

1. LEVUKA HOMESTAY

Old rates shown from 2009.
Have never served “cocktails”, as they do not have a liquor licence.
Nothing about Nox’s walking tour, which has been operating since 2006.

1. RESTAURANTS

Whales Tale

Set dinner menu now $25 NOT $17, since 2010.
Has not had a liquor licence for 3 years, so therefore you cannot buy “carafes of wine”, but can BYO.

Kims Paak Kum Loong

Has not served a buffet on Sundays for more than 3 years

1. Lots of talk about Serai at Ovalau Watersports. Ovalau Watersports is actually closed, and her name is Selai.

2. TEA & TALANOA TOURS

Duncan Crichton left Levuka 2 years ago.

1. LOVONI

“Truck leaves Levuka at 7am and 11am” This is not so, and has not been for as long as I have lived here (12 yrs). Also following village protocol people cannot just go to a village. This applies throughout the whole of Fiji. You have to be invited by someone from that village or go with a guide. Also, Epi’s Tours should be contacted directly on +679 7637546 or email on epibole@yahoo.com.

1. YANUCA LAILAI

Has not been operating for more than 3 years.

1. BOBO’S FARM

Karin Ahtack the co-owner of the establishment spoke to Celeste and informed her of the rates. In the 9th edition, rates for accommodation are correct, however, rates for meals are not. Karin also told her that bookings were made direct NOT through Ovalau Watersports. Breakfast $ 12, Vegetarian Lunch $ 12, Dinner $ 18; Bookings direct at bobosfarm@connect.com.fj or Tel: 00679 3623873

Celeste also made herself known as a Lonely Planet writer. Has there been a change in policy to allow this?

1. DRINKING & ENTERTAINMENT

KORO MAKAWA

This is a restaurant and bar which has been operating for a number of years. The restaurant is mentioned, but the bar is not.

1. In the FIJIAN GLOSSARY

“Turaga-ni-koro-heredity chief”. Turaga-ni-koro should be translated as elected village headman.

We hope that this helps you to appreciate our disappointment and frustration with Celeste. She was here and could have so easily carried out her role. We are known as the “friendliest island in the whole of Fiji”, however, we will struggle, through no fault of our own, to satisfy guests to our beautiful shores, who have been misled by your publication.

If you require any clarification or have any questions, please contact us directly. In the meantime, we await your response.

Joanne Boleilovoni
Chairperson
The Levuka Tourism Association
epibole@yahoo.com

Nice detailed stuff, but I guess rather than trying to contact the editor (who may not care much any more about a particular book once it has been published) directly, it should (at least also) have been sent here:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/contact/guidebook_feedback/new

Sadly, LP authors copying dated info from previous editions instead of doing their research on the ground is nothing new - and not only in Fiji! ;-)

This is very disappointing for businesses in Levuka and also for tourists who rely on it. I have saved this information for my next visit (first visited Levuka in 1992 and have had several visits since) - perhaps you could also send it to Rob Kay on Fiji Guide website for publication there.

Thanks, Joanne, for posting information which will be helpful when I eventually get to Fiji. Levuka is definitely on my "must see" list.

The undiscovered Lomaiviti Group and Levuka are what so many travellers are looking for- a photogenic
colonial-era town in Ovalau's Levuka with a relaxing atmosphere and great snorkelling on nearby Caqalai Island.

Being located off Viti Levu's eastern shore has kept them off the overtrodden tourist trail--- and truly
traveller's gems.

Well I learned one thing from this thread and that is that Rob Kay is still alive-Thanks for that!