AS a child, Ratu Tevita Vosailagi used to watch villagers cross the narrow strip of water that separated mainland Viti Levu from Yanuca Island in Sigatoka, to collect coconuts.
At low tide, he and other children from Cuvu Village would wade across at the shallowest point — where the causeway leading to Shangri La’s Fijian Resort and Spa is located today.
Sometimes they even rode across on horses.
He lived with his family on the island and his main job was to tend to his family’s herd of goats.
The adventures he shared as a youngster were possibly quite similar to that of the first Na Ka Levu — Ratu Waisea Namolikula — who was shipwrecked on the island sometime in the 19th century after drifting from Nakasaleka, Kadavu.
“There is a sacred point where the Golden Cowrie Restaurant is today and that was where Ratu Waisea was shipwrecked,” Ratu Tevita shared.
“He is the reason we have a very special link with the people of Nakasaleka.”
He said Ratu Waisea’s eight sons were the forefathers of the people of Lomawai, Sigatoka, Cuvu and Nasama.
Ratu Tevita said children from the villages used to frolic on the island on a daily basis in the ’60s and ’70s.
“We would look for 30 dry coconuts and sell them to my dad for 10 cents — which was big money in those days.
“My dad had about 700 goats. They used to shelter in big caves where the Lagoon Restaurant is today.
“The goats slept there at night and as children we used to come and light lanterns because the dogs from the villages used to swim across and attack them.”
Ratu Tevita has shared stories about the rich history of Yanuca Island and Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa to the thousands of guests who have visited the iconic property since 1974 when he began work there as a waiter.
“After working at the restaurant for 10 years, I decided to move to another department and that’s when we started the Kid’s Club.
“This is something I am so proud of because I was one of the founders.
“There were hardly any children coming to the hotel in those days but we kept improving our activities and the kids loved it.
“We realised way back in the ’80s that once we made the kids happy, the whole family would be happy. We kept the children very busy during the day right up until night-time and this freed the parents to really enjoy their holiday as well.
“The mums and dads trusted us with their children because we treated them as our very own.”
After 33 years at Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort and Spa, Ratu Tevita decided to call it a day in 2007.
However, he can still be found on Yanuca from time-to-time, strumming his guitar, singing, and always ready to share stories of the property’s fascinating past.
