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A 25 minute walk takes you to the lovely old Catholic mission
at Wairiki. The mission is set into the hillside and overlooks
the site where Taveuni warriors turned back thousands of
Tongans in a battle which was fought in canoes just off
the beach. This battle was of historical significance in
the history of Fiji, for Tonga was gaining control of the
rest of the country through a series of undefeated battles.
The Taveuni warriors therefore saved Fiji from the Tongans
... they then celebrated by cooking the Tongans in a lovo
and eating them with breadfruit! The French Missionary priest
who advised the Taveuni warriors on fighting strategy was
'rewarded' for his help by the grateful people of Taveuni
by the building of the large mission. If you visit the Mission
on a Sunday morning you will hear the wonderful singing
of the Fijian villagers.
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