As you head towards the Rakiraki region on Kings Road, the scenery around you becomes more and more beautiful. Rakiraki sits on the northernmost tip of Viti Levu. Along the way, you will pass the Nakauvadra Mountain Range with its lofty peaks. According to Fijian legends, these mountains are home to the snake god Degei, the maker of all the islands.

Rakiraki itself is a small village and is the residence of the Tui Ra, the High Chief of Ra District, which includes all of northern Viti Levu. As you head out of Rakiraki, you will pass Ellington Wharf, which provides easy access to Nananu-i-RaIsland , sitting some 15 minutes away offshore. Near Rakiraki, you will also find the town of Vaileka. With a bus stop, market, supermarket and a small number of cafes, this town is a good stopover in the region. You will also find two bank branches out here, Westpac Bank and Colonial Bank, where you can change your travelers’ checks.

In the area, you will also come across Udreudre’s Tomb, which is the final resting place of Fiji’s most

notorious cannibal, Ratu Udreudre. Said to have eaten at least 872 people, he consumed every piece of his victims. You will also find two hotels out here, the Rakiraki Hotel, with its own pool, tennis court, bowling lawn and nine-hole golf course; and the Wananavu Beach Resort, which sits on a hill with some wonderful views of Nananu-i-Ra in the distance. The accommodations here are good, with the resort offering tennis, volleyball, diving and snorkeling activities for its guests. There is a good restaurant and bar on the resort premises as well.

Some 25 km southeast of Rakiraki is the Naiserelagi Catholics Mission that was built here in 1917. What makes visiting this mission so special is that in 1962, Jean Charlot painted a mural of a black Christ in the church here. Depicting Jesus in three biblical scenes, the artist incorporated many Fijian items in the mural as well such as a tanoa and tabua.