Accommodations The students will stay at our base house in on Fiji’s largest island Viti Levu and camp in the village of Somosomo. 7 Nights: Momi Base House – Travelwell South Pacific Lodge, Nabila Rd, Momi Bay Our base houses are lodges or homes that are regularly used by our students during our programs. Our dorm-like facility in Momi has rooms that all have two toilets, two showers, solar-heated hot water and flush toilets. The base house is located in a beautiful hilly area with relatively little development. The site is also not far from the local beaches and the turquoise-colored waters that surround the island. 6 Nights: Camping at Somosomo Village Students will enjoy an island camping experience by the coastline. The site includes compost toilets and open air showers but no electricity. This camp will give students an opportunity to live like the locals do.
The Base Established in 2004, the South Pacific Eco-Lodge continues to positively integrate itself into the local environment and community. The main lodge was constructed using locally grown timber. The house features a large deck leading to an infinity-edge swimming pool. The grounds have extensive gardens, sports fields, and meditation decks tucked among fruit trees and swaying palms. The base is a favorite location for students traveling in Fiji. Rooms are dormitory-style bures, or cabins, spread throughout the property. Bathrooms are modern, with flushing toilets and solar powered hot-water showers. Our base is located between two Fijian villages and surrounded by a number of local farms that are generally owned by families of Indian descent, which make up close to 40 percent of Fiji’s population. The mixture of Fijian and Indian neighbors creates an interesting and vibrant atmosphere from which to explore and learn about Fiji and its unique mix of cultures.
Service Projects at the Eco-Lodge After-School Education Programs Create and deliver after-school Kids Clubs that promote cross-cultural exchange with local students. Help the youth of Fiji develop leadership, teamwork, and communication skills through activities that focus on language, arts and crafts, and physical education. Learn about the education system in Fiji and build programs around topics and themes outlined by our partner schools. Please note that these sessions will be facilitated after school so as not to disrupt regular school hours. Environmental Service and Sustainability The daily life of most Fijians is still closely tied to the natural world, but increasing urban development, pollution, and other environmental challenges are a growing concern. Learn more about these issues as you help protect Fiji’s magnificent natural environment through beach cleanups and reforestation projects with park rangers who are working to reduce pollution and prevent erosion along the coast. Explore Fiji’s amazing island ecosystem as you support local environmental conservation efforts. Village Infrastructure Project Rural villages in Fiji often have limited access to the basic infrastructure that is essential for healthy, productive, and sustainable communities. Join our ongoing work to build toilets and footpaths in a Fijian village to improve health and sanitation. You will be amazed at the warm welcome you receive as you work with villagers to mix cement, lay pipes, and make a positive impact. Lead health awareness activities for village children and get a real taste of what life is like in a traditional Fijian village. Building Schools Make much-needed improvements to school and kindergarten facilities and paint colorful murals alongside village students. We work with a group of rural schools around our Eco-Lodge Base that operate on very limited budgets yet continuously strive to improve their facilities to provide a better education for their students. Join forces with local children, parents, and teachers, and share in lots of laughs and fun as you work on building projects to improve school facilities and make new friends in Fiji. Home-Cooked Meals For Fijians living near the poverty line, the high cost of food in the country can be a major concern. You may spend a morning or afternoon in the home of a village family preparing healthy meals and then head out to deliver them in partnership with social service agencies. Or, you may work on our chicken coop project, which works with local families to develop both a source of food and income so they can better meet basic needs. Learn best practices of sustainability through this popular initiative. I will never forget her smile as she watched us repaint her tarnished walls and begin building a new toilet at the side of her home. She had been walking across the road to another house to use the restroom for months! Seeing how happy of a woman she was despite her living situation was very humbling, and I think the world would be a much better place if we all could be as positive as she was. –Kylie Deverick, Fiji Alumni, talking about a 77-year-old Fijian woman named Tai
Food The meals will be buffet style/family style in Momi. Because Fiji is a multicultural nation, food typically consists of traditional Fijian food, Asian, Indian, and Western dishes. (See the country overview page for examples of a few dishes) Asian and Indian cuisine the students may eat includes stir fry or chow mein with local vegetables and Indian curry with roti. The teens will also be able to try local tropical fruits, such as pineapple, papaya, and bananas.
What’s Included in Your Program Program Leaders & Guides English Speaking Rustic Pathways international and local leaders Airport Transportation Meet and greet with private transportation to and from the airport Comfortable Accommodations All nights of accommodation All Meals Included Breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout your stay Ground Transportation All transportation between program locations and activities All Activities Every activity, entrance fee, and experience in your itinerary 24/7 Support On-call support throughout the program for peace of mind Emergency Coverage Included emergency evacuation assurance plan All Fees & Tips Airport taxes, departure fees, donations, and guide tips What’s Not Included in Your Program International Flights Souvenirs Additional Snacks Visa Expenses Passport Fees
Hear the Story of a Past Rustic Pathways Traveler to Fiji Seeing the World in a Different Way Alexandra Pyne traveled to Fiji and Costa Rica, where she took advantage of all the adventure options available. On her first trip, while diving about 200 miles off the coast of the Great Barrier Reef, she marveled at how much the ocean and travel experiences inspired her. “I remember being absolutely petrified as I situated my clunky self on the edge of the boat, held my mask into place, and leaned backward into the abyss. But, once submerged, my mindset changed… The fish swimming in and out of the miniature caverns within the reef reminded me of neighbors moving through a small, tropically-colored village. I don’t know exactly how else to describe my feelings when seeing the world while diving for the first time, other than to say that those moments felt like Christmas. Needless to say, I was in love – in love with the ocean, in love with the fact that I was so far away from all I had ever known and still felt okay, and in love with the fact that maybe I could feel all of this all over again. My trip to Fiji attuned me to my passion for the ocean and my inherent sense of wanderlust that I had never really understood before.”