Things to see and do Suva

Previously founded in the Old Town Hall in 1904, the Fiji Museum as we know it today opened in 1955 in Thurston Gardens. The museum houses countless exhibits on the history of Fiji. You'll see artifacts that are over 3,700 years old. Bones, skulls, whale teeth, weapons of war, relics, pottery, photos and an impressive canoe among many others, the drua, from the early ^nineteenth century... A small anthropological trip that allows to discover more about the rites and cultures associated with the Pacific world.

In 1905, at the request of the governor of the time, Sir John Thurston, work began on a mound to create a botanical garden. The project manager was John Horne, the botanist of Mauritius. Rearranged and enlarged in 1913, the garden was embellished with the Clock Tower in 1918, erected in honor of the first mayor of Suva, G. J. Marks. In 1916, the garden got its official name of Thurston Garden, in honor of its founder.

It was here that Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith landed in 1928. Kingsford was the forerunner of commercial aviation, with his plane, the Southern Cross, in which, on May 31, 1928, he made the first flight across the Pacific. This flight took him from California to Brisbane, Australia, via Hawaii and Fiji, and lasted 8 days! For the record, this public garden is named after Prince Albert of Saxe-Boburg-Gotha, husband of Queen Victoria, and continues to host many cultural and sporting events.

It is the residence of the President of Fiji and a replica of the one in Sri Lanka, which was under British rule at the same time. The current building was constructed in 1928, after the previous residence was completely destroyed by a fire started by lightning.

Obviously, you can't visit the presidential residence for security reasons, but you will notice the imposing guard, dressed in white "sulu" and a red jacket!

On the same street, you can take a look at the Government Buildings.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral, or simply Suva Cathedral, was built in 1902 with rock from Sydney. Imposing, it is inspired by Romanesque architecture and is covered with stained glass and ornaments. It is the main building of Catholic religion on the island of Viti Levu.

It is difficult to enter, as it is often closed, but try to come a little before the mass hours in order to have a little visit.

Suva's craft market is probably one of the cheapest markets on the island. For once, it is not part of the city market, but located a few minutes walk from the fruit and vegetable market, across from the coastline. It is presented in the form of several aisles, in a large shed. You can find everything: masks, tanoas, bags, card games, etc. You can negotiate, but not much, the prices being already very low. At the exit, you will find a small canteen, mostly frequented by locals, to eat quickly after the visit.