One of the 333 islands that make up the Fiji archipelago.
Viviana grew up on the island of Fiji and was always in or near the ocean. She later turned her love of the water into a career as a marine biologist. Today she is dedicated to the recovery of coral reefs and mangroves and the conservation of manta rays and she is a defender of local communities from Fiji.
This interview is part of "The World Made Local" , a global project of Condé Nast Traveler in the seven international editions , which gives voice to 100 people in 100 countries to discover why their own territory should be your next destination.
**How would you describe Fiji in your own words? **
Fiji is all about water. Is a small nation made up of small islands , so there is water everywhere. And lots of green! I am from Taveuni , a very, very small island. There are only a few cars and most people walk everywhere. The few that there are, stop and pick up to take people. It is a very nice place with a strong sense of community. I visited Australia and was surprised that people in shops or on the street do not greet each other or stop to chat. In Fiji, if you go to the shops or are away from home, say hello or "bulla" who you see Everyone is considered a friend.
The scent of lovo takes me back to fiji. It is a traditional way of cooking: you wrap the meat and vegetables in banana leaves, place them on the coals and then bury the “oven” and the food cooks underground.
We have a type of traditional dance in which we invoke our ancestors. We do it for visitors and at home, for special occasions. We also have songs that we sing for visitors to welcome them to Fiji, the song of Bull Malea , and to say goodbye, the song of isa lei , which is very sad. We wish you a safe journey back and we hope to see you again. Both are overwhelmingly beautiful: people often cry during them, especially during Isa Lei's.
Tell us about what you do and how it fits into the current narrative on the island
Ever since I was a little girl I liked ocean . This inspired me to become a marine biologist. Study in the University of the South Pacific and in kokomo . I feel very lucky to work for them, who are as passionate about the ocean as I am. When I return home to Taveuni, I realize that the ocean is not as pristine and healthy as it used to be, which makes me realize that marine conservation work and sustainability that I am a part of in Kokomo are really important.
I work on a project coral restoration : we have transplanted more than 2000 coral plants on our reef there. We also have a mangrove restoration project where we planted over 3,000 mangroves in a nearby village that had to relocate in the past due to rising sea levels and where the mangroves act as a natural barrier against flooding. We have involved the local community and now they are really interested in helping to plant them to protect their village.
I also participate in the maintenance project to in Kokomo. We do a satellite and acoustic location of the mantas. It is a pioneering project not only in Fiji, but in the South Pacific, through which we have come to know many of the mantas and name many of them.
Biologist Viviana Taubera.
What places do you recommend for lunch, breakfast and dinner on the island?
I spend most of my time in Kokomo, but even if I didn't, I'd send people there to eat! It's excellent. I would tell them to ask for the fresh mahi mahi . Kokomo launched the first chapter of the international program Dock to Dish , which supports local fishermen. Here is a local tribe of women from an island. The fisherwomen catch indigenous fish that is in season and ripe in size and Kokomo buys it from them. Then the chef, a Fijian woman named Caroline Oakley , she cooks it. It's amazing and powerful that a chain of local women brings you the fish you're eating.
What do you recommend we go to see outside the usual tourist sites?
There is a freshwater mountain lake called tagimaucia lake on the island of Taveuni which is stunning. I have been several times. It takes a long walk to get there, but it's worth it. For us, the lake water is very cold. There is a small flower that only grows here.
When you travel or are away, what do you miss the most about your home country?
I miss Fijian food! And the casual conversation between strangers: I miss the friendliness and directness of Fiji. People are so genuine here...!