CUE007

Fiji - A Traditional Village

“Why Fiji? Fiji is for honeymooners, or so I thought. Five years ago I went to Fiji to work on a community project at the village of Matacawalevu in the Yasawa Islands. My village stay was a life changing experience and it will be for the students who join the Fiji Big Experience.”
- Liz Ware, teacher.

The Fiji Big Experience seeks to extend the elements of the year 9 program – with emphasis on the themes of community service, exploring urban living and environmental sustainability. The journey will begin exploring Nadi and Lautoka to gain an understanding of the ethnic mix of Fiji and how the urban centres of Nadi and Lautoka serve the main export industries of Fiji. While in the Yasawa Islands the agents will continue their study of marine environments. At Oarsman’s Bay agents will be introduced to reef ecology, the fragile nature of reef systems, and the need for management and reef monitoring. Snorkelling at reefs surrounding Oarsman’s Bay will enable agents to identify marine organisms and different types of reefs. At the village of Matacawalevu they will experience a different sense of community and realise that one can be happy yet have few material possessions. The agents will also participate in a community project in the village.

Throughout the journey the agents will experience the culture of Fiji and develop friendships with the beautiful Fijian people. The village stay will be an incredible experience. When it is time to leave there will be tears shed and promises to return. At Oarsman’s Bay they will discover paradise.

During the journey you might: sing Fijian songs, dance, kayak, go bilibili rafting, swim and snorkel in beautifully warm water, shop for the village, prepare and eat a lovo feast, swing in a hammock with your friends reliving the day, read stories to Fijian children, accept a bowl of kava, sail a tall ship, play rugby, volleyball and netball with the Fijians, attend church and hear the wonderful singing of the Fijians, attend the village school, fish, make a traditional basket or bracelet, swim in a cave, want to make a difference to the people and the marine environment.

If you want to discover and experience a warm and embracing culture then experience Fiji.

How will agents travel?
On the main island of Viti Levu the main mode of travel will be by local buses which are naturally air conditioned (no windows!). The Navua River will be navigated by long boat. Travel to Barefoot Island in the Southern Yasawas is by a 180 foot topsail schooner ‘Spirit of the Pacific’. From Barefoot to Matacawalevu is by the “Yasawa Flyer”. At Matacawalevu and Oarsman’s Bay, transport is provided by Joe’s Water Taxi. Oarsman’s Bay back to Nadi will be on the ‘Yasawa Flyer’, a 25 metre high speed catamaran with capacity of up to 145 people.

Planned itinerary
Day 1 Sun 28 October. In flight with Air Pacific to Nadi
Day 2 Scuba diving or snorkelling a pristine (not affected by coral bleaching) reef off the main island of Viti Levu
Day 3 Bus trip into the mountains of the Sigatoka area, travel up the Navua River by long boat, swim in a waterfall, travel down stream on a bilibili raft
Day 4 Local bus into Nadi to purchase provisions for village family in the morning. Afternoon - local bus to Lautoka to explore the town and the market
Day 5 Captain Cook Sailing Safari to Barefoot Island in the Southern Yasawa Islands
Day 6 Barefoot Island. Sail to snorkelling areas on the schooner, traditional crop planting, volleyball with the Fijian crew, fishing, kayaking
Day 7 Flier to the village of Matacawalevu. Meet host families, perhaps a game of rugby, settle into village life, begin community project
Day 8 Matacawalevu. Church, village life with your family
Day 9 Matacawalevu. Attend the village school by boat, community project
Day 10 Matacawalevu. Community project
Day 11 Transfer by boat to Oarsman’s Bay
Day 11-15 Oarsman’s Bay. Cultural activities/fishing/swimming/snorkelling/volleyball. Rugby and netball at the village school. Marine and reef studies. Boat to lava caves. Swim in the underwater caves and learn about the legends of the caves from the local Fijians.
Day 16 Oarsman’s Bay/ Yasawa Flyer to Nadi
Day 17 Mud and hot springs, final celebrations.
Day 18 Nadi by local bus to the market for last minute shopping. Late afternoon flight home.

Please note that final details of this Big Experience may be subject to minor changes.