Fiji Islands

Fact File

Population

990,000 people

Capital City

Suva

Currency

Fijian Dollar: 1 USD buys about 1.77 FJD (as of August 2012)

Language

Three official languages – English, Fijian and Hindustani

Attractions

Navua River, Mamanuca Islands, Bouma National Park

Local Lingo

Did You Know?

• Fiji was once known as the Cannibal Isles. One former chief is said to have eaten 872 people. However, there has been no cannibalism in the islands since 1867.
• Fiji is made of 332 islands and over 500 islets spread over 7,000 miles.
• In Fiji, palm trees are considered dangerous. There is a saying that a coconut has eyes and spies for someone to fall on.

Contact Us: For more information about Fiji Islands you can email us at fiji@rusticpathways.com.

“Each bay its own wind.”

Fijian Proverb

Packing List

To Help You Come Prepared...

Below is our general packing list of suggested items for all programs in the Fiji Islands. Each program has additional, program specific items to bring listed on the program webpage.  Students who are participating in multiple programs should be sure to check the specific items for each of their programs.

You will be traveling to Fiji during the dry season, where the days are generally hot, with some humidity. The evenings can cool off but often remain warm.

You may want to bring one suitcase for the things you will wear and use yourself, and another for any gifts, recycled clothing, or other donations you will be making to the service projects. Then use that extra bag to take home all the cool gifts, clothing, and crafts that you buy here.

Bring with you any medications that you will need while you are away. You will need to tell staff what medications you have brought during your orientation period. This is done privately, but it is essential that you disclose to your staff all medications you are carrying.

Pack lightly for your journey! Most airlines in the South Pacific will not allow a checked bag weighing more than 15 kilos, so please pack accordingly. Please check you domestic carrier in the USA for any baggage limitations or fees. You must also be able to carry and load your own luggage, and space in the vehicles is limited.

Be sure to wear your Rustic Pathways T-Shirt when you are travelling to and from Fiji!

Carry-On Luggage:

A small backpack is the best carry-on bag and will be useful on your program day-trips.

• Passport - you can not get on the plane without this!
• Airline tickets - you can not get on the plane without these either!
• Wallet - with about $100 emergency money
• 2 Photo copies of your Passport - 2 additional copies should be kept in your checked luggage.
• Sunglasses
• Toothpaste (under 3 oz.)
• Toothbrush
• Medications - Must alert staff, but keep these in your carry-on in case of lost luggage!
• Journal and pens
• Refillable, durable - but empty - water bottle. Fill up at the gate and stay hydrated on the plane!
• Snacks - Air Pacific serves some tasty meals, but it is a long flight...
• Mp3 player of your choosing
• Books
• Cameras - Don't forget to bring your chargers, batteries and memory cards! You can also bring your USB cords for downloading pics for emails.

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry-on regulations of the TSA.

Checked Luggage:

A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.

CLOTHING ITEMS

Students on one-week programs should use the smaller quantities listed as a guide, and students on two-week programs should use the larger quantities. 

• Nice,cotton,collared shirt, short-sleeve (1)
• Boys - Nice light weight pants (1)
• Ladies- long skirt that covers your knees and is comfortable (required for service programs) (1-2)
• T-Shirts (5-7)
• Tank tops (2-4)                    
• Long-sleeve t-shirts (1-2)
• Shorts (2 -4)
• Jeans or long pants (1 pair)
• Sweatshirt or light jacket (1)
• Underwear (7-8)
• Sneakers (1 pair)
• Socks (4-5 pairs)
• Sandals or flip-flops (Tevas or Chacos recommended) (1 pair)
• Swimsuit (1-2)
• Cap or sun hat (1)
• Lightweight, waterproof rain coat (1)

TOILETRIES

Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag

• Biodegradable soap
• Biodegradable shampoo & conditioner
• Toothbrush
• Biodegradable toothpaste
• Sunscreen (lots of strong sunscreen)
• Lip balm (with sunscreen in it)
• Insect repellent (1 bottle with 35% DEET or more, 1 bottle with natural citronella)
• Hand sanitizer (1-2 small bottles per week) - Always keep this with you!
• Contact lenses and solution (in a plastic bag)
• Wet-wipes or towelettes - also good for cleaning hands when there is no water readily available
• Small packs of Kleenex Tissues - not all public toilets supply toilet paper, so keep this with you!

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Towel (1 beach, 1 bath – NOT WHITE - large quick dry travel towels are great)
• Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
• Watch or Clock with an Alarm
• Cotton/silk sleep sack, REI has some great options
• Heavy-duty garbage bags (2) - for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
• Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
• Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a personal kit is always helpful)
• Band-aids
• Triple Antibiotic Ointment
• Anti-itch Cream (1 Benadryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
• Medical Tape
• Moleskin or preferred blister care
• Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
• Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
• 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
• 2 Gauze dressing
• 5-8 Sterile wipes

OPTIONAL ITEMS

• Pictures of family and friends to share with your new friends in Fiji
• Musical instrument – the Fijians love to sit around at night and play guitar etc.
• Energy bars, vitamins and other snacks
• Books, playing cards, or other easily-explained games
• Ear plugs and eye mask

PLEASE NOTE - Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for ANY lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.

Donations for Fiji Island Service Projects

Students on our community service programs will visit kindergartens, elementary and high schools and rural village health centers during their time in Fiji. If you would like to provide additional support to these efforts, donations are greatly appreciated. Below is a list of items identified through consultation with local institutions, which are particularly needed.

We ask that if you are brining donations, you keep as close to this list as possible. This allows schools and health centers to have enough of each item to make them useful and to ensure that the items being brought are needed.

1. Books for School Libraries - appropriate for kindergarten and elementary school students.
2. Materials For Schools

• Construction paper
• Paint and paint brushes
• Glue (sticks or bottles)
• Tape
• Crayons or colored pencils (not markers)
• Scissors for kids
• Pencils and pencil sharpeners
• Soccer balls, rugby balls or volleyball

  3.  First Aid Supplies for the Village Nursing Stations

• Over-the-counter pain relievers including Children’s Tylenol
• Band aids, gauze and first aid tape
• Anti-biotic ointment
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Ace bandages
• Thermometers
• Medical gloves

Please note that it is very costly to ship donations to Fiji after you have traveled (and we don’t encourage it), so we strongly recommend you bring any items you might like to contribute with you when you come. Can't wait to see you!