CHILDREN OF THE HIGHLANDS: FIJI SERVICE AND ADVENTURE

Daily Itinerary
Children of the Highlands: Fiji Service and Adventure
Summer 2012

Day 01 - Tuesday
Depart the USA
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Fiji depart from Los Angeles.  Typically, our carrier is Air Pacific – Fiji’s national airline – anda Rustic Pathways Flight Leader escorts the non-stop flight to Nadi International Airport. The flight departs Los Angeles in the evening and takes about 10 hours. During your flight, take the time to get to know other students, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival in the South Pacific or relax with a movie or two and start to settle into the easy-going and friendly nature of the Fijian’s and their legendary hospitality.

Day 02 – Wednesday
In transit
Today is “lost” as you cross the international dateline, but don’t worry too much… you will get it back on your way home!

Day 3 – Thursday
Welcome to the Tropical Islands of Fiji
Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted by Rustic Pathways’ Fiji staff at the Nadi Airport. Your flight lands early in the morning and you will start off your day with a tropical breakfast and a chance to meet your group. After breakfast, you will hop on a boat and spend the day cruising through the tropical waters off of Viti Levu, stopping to snorkel and enjoy a picnic lunch as you go. Arrive back to shore and watch your first sunset in this tropical paradise. Get some dinner with new friends and then some rest. You will stay at a hotel in the Nadi area tonight.

Day 4 – Friday
Highlands Adventure and Service
After breakfast this morning, you will bid farewell to the coast and head into the magical mountainous interior of Fiji’s main island. You will travel by truck or four-wheel drive vehicle to the Nausori Highland region. The journey normally takes about three hours with several opportunities to stop along the way for photos and a chance to say “Bula” to the locals that you pass. This area of Fiji has remote villages nestled in mountain valleys where locals live off the land and have strong ties to their traditional culture. The need for service in these remote parts is great, and villagers here will welcome you with big smiles and warm hearts.

You will spend a few hours this afternoon working to improve the facilities at a local elementary school. Resources for education here are very limited and the schools we support in the region rely on your efforts to improve their facilities and provide safe and functional spaces for their students to learn. 

At the end of the day you will arrive at Nubulevu Village Resort, a small retreat with spectacular views of the farming valley of Na Rabaraba and the jagged mountains that surround it. Run by a local family that will take you in as their own, this special spot will be your base for the next four days. After a delicious local dinner, you will have an in-depth cultural orientation and begin to learn about the traditional way of life in the Highlands.

Day 5 – Saturday
Highlands Life Skills and Trekking
Get ready to learn about the real Fijian lifestyle of the Highlands as you set off to collect your lunch from the surrounding forests and rivers. You will learn how to make a bush meal, hear the lore of local culture, learn secrets of traditional remedies found in the bush and take in some spectacular views as you make your way to a riverside camp for the night. You will be in awe of the comfort and skill with which locals walk about the mountains, finding everything they need growing free and living without worry in a breathtaking environment.

Tonight, camp along a mountain river with your friends from Nubulevu Resort who will prepare a delicious campfire dinner and play sweet Fijian songs on the guitar as you take in a night sky filled with more stars than you might have thought possible.

Day 6 – Sunday
River Games and Service Preparations
Wake early this morning and take in the sunrise as you prepare to head back to your base at Nubulevu. Take a swim in the river, play a game of Rustic-style river rugby, relax on the bilibili and enjoy the day.

In the afternoon, you will sit down with your group to prepare for the next day’s service in a local primary school. Your leaders will help you prepare a hands-on, interactive lesson for the day focused on improving English conversation skills as well as organizing arts projects with materials students here rarely have the opportunity to use.

Tonight, join the family at Nubulevu for game night and be prepared for some serious laughs. You will sleep at Nubulevu tonight.

Day 7 – Monday
Service and Exchange at Wouosi Primary School
Today you will wake early and get ready for more service at the elementary school in nearby Wouosi Village. You will share a meaningful exchange with the students here as you lead English language games and serve as conversation partners. The local students here study in English but speak their native Fijian language at home and have few changes to interact with native English speakers. Your service is a great opportunity for these young students to improve their language skills. You may also continue on construction-based projects to improve the school facilities.

Any visitor to a Fijian village must present a sevusevu to the chief and after your day of service get ready for an unforgettable experience as you visit the village and join in the traditional sevusevu ceremony. The villagers may even put on a traditional meke dance performance in thanks for your service. You will return to Nubulevu for dinner and much needed rest after an incredible day.

Day 8 – Tuesday
Service Day
You will be off early this morning to bid farewell to Nubulevu and get ready for your next stop. After about an hours drive you will arrive in a small farming community where you will spend the day supporting the efforts of the community to improve the water supply. The community will surely welcome you in the traditional Fijian style with big smiles and open hearts and a traditional sevesevu. The service you contribute today will combine with the larger efforts of this community and make a big difference.

By late afternoon, you will be off to your final resting place in the Highlands – a hidden retreat beside the largest waterfall in the region. Have a big dinner and settle in for the night.

Day 9 – Wednesday
Magical Waterfalls
This morning, you’ll take a walk to the breathtaking waterfalls nearby for some swimming and fun. The surroundings are magical and there is nothing better than a refreshing swim in this incredible environment. After lunch, you will head back to the hustle and bustle of Nadi town. Stroll through the markets before heading to your hotel for the night.

Day 10 - Thursday
Farewell Fiji
If you are flying back to the USA today, you will have the chance to shop for souvenirs in Nadi, or, if you want to take the chance for one more big adventure, try an optional sky dive! After a final meal with your group, you’ll travel to the airport and bid Fiji farewell (until next year perhaps). A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader will escort your group to Los Angeles. For those students who are continuing to another Rustic Pathways program you will commence your next program this morning.

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

Packing List
Children of the Highlands

You will be traveling to Fiji during the dry season, where the days are generally hot, with some humidity, but rainy is not typical. The evenings can cool off significantly in the Highlands region and a heavy sweatshirt is often needed.  

Please pack lightly! You must be able to carry and load your own luggage and you will be staying at three separate locations during your program.  Air Pacific does allow two pieces of checked luggage up to 50 lbs, but please be aware of the baggage restrictions for any domestic connections in the USA.  You can find more details on Air Pacific’s baggage allowances at http://www.airpacific.com/Flying-With-Us/Baggage-Allowance.

Do not bring your favorite items with you. There is always a chance that you will get a bit dirty while working on your service projects and exploring the islands.
Be sure to wear your Rustic Pathways T-Shirt when you are travelling to Fiji!
Carry-On Luggage: A small backpack is the best carry on bag and will be useful throughout your program for day trips.

• Passport and Wallet
• Photocopy of Passport (2 additional photocopies should be carried in checked luggage)
• Any and All Medications (Be sure to bring medications in your carry on just in case your luggage gets delayed in transit!)
• Extra t-shirt, change of underware
• Sunglasses
• Journal and Pen
• Good Book, Music
• Reusable Water Bottle
• Camera

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the carry on regulations of the TSA: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm
 Checked Luggage: A medium sized duffel bag, wheeled bag or large backpack are fine. Please check you domestic carrier in the USA for any baggage limitations or fees. You must be able to carry and load their own luggage.

Clothing: 
T-Shirts or collared short-sleeve shirts* (7)
Long-sleeve t-shirts (1)
Long skirt (for females) that covers your knees* (1-2)
Shorts (2-4)
Jeans or long pants (1)
Sweatshirt or light jacket (1)
Underwear (8)
Socks (4)                                                 
Sneakers (1)
Tevas, sandals or flip flops (1)
Swim suit (1-2)
Cap or sun hat
Light weight raincoat or poncho
Toiletries: Biodegradable soap and toiletries are required
Biodegradable soap
Biodegradable shampoo
Toothbrush
Biodegradable toothpaste
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Waterless hand sanitizer
Personal first aid kit recommended with band-aids and antibiotic ointment
Any medications – Be sure you have prescription medications in your carry-on.
Contact lens and fluid and spare pair of glasses
 Any other personal items as necessary

Other Required Items:
Towel (1-2 – large quick dry travel towels are great)
Flashlight or headlamp (a must!)
Spare batteries
Reusable water bottle (also a must!)
Sleeping bag
Work gloves (for use on some service projects)

Optional Items:
Pictures of family and friends to share with you new friends in Fiji
Musical instrument – the Fijians love to sit around at night and play guitar
Energy bars, vitamins and other snacks
Books, playing cards, games

 

PLEASE NOTE:
*Due to cultural rules in Fijian villages, it is customary for females to have their shoulders and knees covered at all times. While you are outside of the village you will be able to wear tank tops and shorts, but for the majority of the program female students will need to wear t-shirts or other sleeved shirts. Women must also wear sulus (sarongs) or a long skirt when in villages and at traditional ceremonies. Typically our students wear light shorts under their sulus. We will provide the students with a sulu on their arrival, and students typically wear light shorts under their sulus. You may wear a long skirt that covers your knees instead of a sulu.  If you have a sarong already at home you may want to bring it along. Please pack with this in mind!

A note about electricity:
There is not electricity in the village although there is a small generator that provides power for some basic items at our Base. Please make sure you bring a good flash light (head lights work especially well). Make sure you bring your camera batteries fully charged, and a spare one if you have one, as it may not be possible to recharge these items during your program.

Laundry:
You will have the opportunity to wash laundry by hand in the village and your host family will help you to do this if you wish.

Gifts for Host Families:
In the Fijian tradition of sevusevu, it customary for visitors to present a gift to any village or home they visit. We ask that you bring 3-4 small gifts for host families and friends in the village. While any gifts are deeply appreciated, we ask that you follow the suggested items below, which we have developed in conjunction with local villagers based on needs they have identified. We suggest bringing three to five items for your family, keeping in mind that these gifts are shared with all ages. Gifts can be gently used items that you have at home.

Suggested Gifts for Host Families:
T-shirts (short or long sleeve)
White collard shirts for children (used with school uniforms)
Long skirts for women and girls
Sweatshirts or jackets
Raincoats or umbrellas
Towels
Flashlights and batteries
Sneakers, boots and flip-flops (and socks)
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Ball point pens and pencils
Button-down shirts for children (they wear these to church)
Sports equipment (rugby ball, soccer ball, volleyball)
Baseball hats
School supplies (notebooks, pencils, pens and backpacks)

You may, in turn, receive a small gift from your Fijian family to help you remember your time in Fiji, so remember to save a little room in your packs for this on the way home.

Donations:
In preparation for their programs, many students ask about bringing donations with them for the schools and communities where they will work. The following donations lists have been created in conjunction with local schools and communities and we encourage you to bring 3-5 items with you if you wish. 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.

Suggested Items for Schools:

• Sport Equipment - Soccer balls, rugby balls, volley balls, nets, ball pumps, cones, soccer shoes, rugby boots.
• Story books - Kindergarten and elementary level.
• Classroom Tools - Blackboard erasers, chalk, motivational stickers, 3x5 cards, any science equipment)
• Art Materials – Paints, paint brushes, glue, scissors, construction paper, white paper, scissors)
• Items for Individual Students - Backpacks, white collared shirts for use with school uniforms (elementary school age), shoes, pencils/pens, erasers, portable pencil sharpeners, folders.
• Teacher Resources - Phonics Cards, Phonics Activity Books.

Medical Donations are also greatly appreciated and are given to rural nursing stations and community nurses. Suggested items include: over-the-counter pain relievers, children’s Tylenol, band aids, anti-biotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, gauze, first aid tape, ace bandages, slings, thermometers, medical gloves.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions
Children of the Highlands
The Fiji Islands

1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students spend three nights at our Farm House Base and three nights with host families during this program. Their final night will be spent at a hotel in the Nadi area with simple dorm-style accommodations and shared facilities.

Our Farm House Base is located about 20 minutes walk from the village itself and sits at a bend in the river with breathtaking views of the jagged mountain peaks that surround it.  The Farm House has several traditional style houses and approximately 6 students will sleep in each on a simple mattress on the floor.  There are flush toilets and a cold water shower at the Farm House and a big main house for meals and activities. While the Farm House provides upgraded amenities for our students while enabling an incredible immersion into the local culture and community here, accommodations are basic. There is no electricity and a mix of lanterns and generator power light the way at night.

For the home-stay portion of the program, students will stay in pairs or groups of three with each host family.  Homes are typically made of concrete or wood and tin and families provide a bed or a mattress on the floor. There are flush toilets located near to host family homes.  We have a small Base House in the village, known as The Village Bure, which is a focal point for our groups while they stay with host families. Students will eat all meals at the Village Bure and will spend time here with their group for activities and to share time with villagers. 

2 - Will the students be drinking bottled water? 
Students will drink filtered water on this program. The water is run through special filters by our staff and it is available for students at all times at the Village Bure and Farm House. While in Nadi at the end of the program, the tap water is safe to drink.

3 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Students will eat a combination of local Fijian dishes and more western-style dishes prepared by cooks at the Farm House and Village Bure. Breakfasts typically include cold cereal or oatmeal, freshly baked buns and scones, and fruits. Lunches and dinners range from traditional Fijian feasts of cassava and dalo (root crops similar to potatoes), chicken and fish, to noodles and pastas, curries and stir-fry. Peanut butter and jelly are often found as are delicious Fijian pancakes, roti bread and local fruits. We can easily cater for vegetarians.

4 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
On average, our programs in Fiji are 70% female and 30% male.

5 - How does this program connect to other programs?
All programs in Fiji connect easily together. On the final morning of each program, students will connect with the staff, arriving students and other connecting participants in the Nadi area for their next program.  Students can also easily connect this program with our programs in Australia and/or New Zealand. Students interested in combining programs in Fiji with a program in Australia or New Zealand should do the Fiji program first if possible.

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
 A flight leader will accompany students on the group flight to Fiji from Los Angeles. Our program staff will greet students when they arrive at the Nadi Airport in Fiji. Students connecting to this program from Australia or New Zealand will not be escorted on their connecting flights between countries, but will be chaperoned for check-in and then met by our staff in Fiji on arrival.

7 - How long is the flight to this country?
Fiji is 10 hours by air from Los Angeles. Flights from Australia and New Zealand are about 4 hours.

8 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
A tourist visa will be issued on arrival in Fiji for US citizens. No prior arrangements are required for US Citizens.

9 - What immunizations do we need for this trip?
Rustic Pathways does not make recommendations regarding immunizations. We strongly suggest that you consult with a travel doctor or your family physician regarding immunizations before you travel. You can also find more information on the websites of the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) or World Health Organization (www.who.int).

10 - What costs are not included on this trip?
We recommend students bring about $100-$200 USD in spending money to cover any souvenirs, snacks, phone calls and internet they may wish to purchase. There are very few opportunities to purchase snacks or souvenirs on this program until the final day when the group is in the main tourist center of Nadi.

Students will also have the option to go Island Hopping or Sky Diving on the final day of this program at an additional cost. Sky diving ranges from $250-$500USD and parental permission is required. Island Hopping costs about $60USD and involves a half day boat trip to visit several small islands off the coast.  Students who may wish to participate in one of these optional activities should bring additional spending money with them to cover these activities.