Dive into your next three days of service work and cultural immersion. Rustic Pathways has developed a wonderful relationship with the local people of Momi Bay and the larger Nadi area. You will contribute to service projects developed in partnership with community leaders, and addressing community sourced need and development opportunity. You will get to explore the best the greater Nadi area has to offer in cultural activities and exploration, learning how to create local handicrafts, cook food, and play in the stunning Fijian landscape.
The following is an example of how your days will be organized. The exact order of activities over these three days may vary based on your flight schedule, community availability, and weather, but they will all be included in your program with us in Fiji.
Day 4: Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Clay Workshop, and Fijian Culture
After breakfast at the Ecolodge, head to Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Enjoy a two hour hike through the enormous dunes, with plenty of opportunity to jump and slide in the mountains of sand. Learn about the history of this area, and help rangers with reforestation efforts by planting native species in the park.
Have lunch back at the base, and some time to shower and relax. In the afternoon, meet with a local women’s crafting group. Learn about traditional clay work, and make your own clay creation, which will be ready for you to carry home at the end of the week.
After dinner this evening, relax with your local program leaders and learn about the culture, history, and people of Fiji.
Day 5: Village Service, Hot Springs, and Storytelling
This morning, be introduced to one of Rustic’s primary infrastructure service projects in the area. Conceived in partnership with the leaders of Bavu Village, you will partner with local builders to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In our partnership with Bavu Village, we are helping the community to construct toilets at each of the houses in the village. This project has been ongoing for several years. During your morning in Bavu Village, you may excavate, lay blocks, mix cement, or do other skill-appropriate carpentry tasks.
After lunch, head to a nearby hot springs. Lather yourselves in nutrient rich mud as the Fijians have been doing for generations, then rinse off, and relax in a series of peaceful, natural hot pools as you take in views of the surrounding mountains.
Wrap your day back at the ecolodge with dinner, a bonfire, and fijian cultural storytelling.
Day 6: Bavu Service, Coconut Class, and Mid-Program Discussion
Continue your service work from the day before in Bavu Village. This may include a continuation of the same project you started the day before, or working on a new project depending on the status of different ongoing projects and what the immediate need of the community is.
In the afternoon learn how to make your very own coconut oil. From harvesting the coconuts from our base, to husking them and making the shavings, you’ll follow the process step by step until you’ve created your own pure Fijian coconut oil.
Finally, after dinner you will have a mid-program group discussion to talk about what you have learned and felt, as well as sharing unique or memorable moments with your friends and classmates.
Day 7: Pineapple Farming, Cooking Lesson, and Meke
Today is all about learning from (and helping out) the Eco-lodge’s neighboring communities.
In the morning, meet with one of our neighbors to learn about his Pineapple farm, then roll up your sleeves and help out. Depending on the season, this may include harvesting, planting, weeding, watering, or turning over fields. During your time at the farm, you’ll have an opportunity to hear how and why pineapple came to be grown in Fiji, and the process of harvesting crops and selling them to market.
Spend your afternoon learning to cook Indian and Indo-Fijian dishes commonly enjoyed along the coast of Viti Levu Island. Your teacher, Shalini, will welcome you into her home and teach you the colonial history of Fiji, and the resulting Indian community she is a part of, all while teaching you to make some of the best food around. When you’re done cooking, pack the food up and bring it in to Nadi town, where you will deliver meals to a shelter for vulnerable women and children. Rustic Pathways programs in Fiji have been supporting this shelter for many years, and today’s activities are always a highlight of the trip.
Back at the Ecolodge tonight, get to see meke, a traditional form of storytelling in Fiji rooted in song and dance.
Should any of the listed activities not be available during your program, alternate options include learning how to harvest, husk, and prepare pure Fijian coconut oil; and a marine service initiative to protect Fiji’s shore from erosion and restore coral reefs.
Overnight: Eco-Lodge Base House, Momi Bay
