Some International Travel Sites Used
for Deciding Where to Go & What to Do
Note: My students last year were given my usual 5 paragraph report to type about where in the world they want to travel to but this time I had them base it on use of these travel planning sites that I had just used myself when planning where to go for this Geraldine Dodge fellowship also:
www.globalvolunteeringnetwork.org or volunteer.org
www.volunteerabroad.com / Volunteeringsolutions.com
www.studyabroad.com
www.transitionsabroad.com
www.fsdinternational.org
www.globalexperiences.com
www.globalcrossroad.com
www.adventuretravelabroad.com
www.geovisions.org
www.auip.com
search for:
academictrek
Institute for cultural ecology
Blue ventures
Real gap experience
Q & A from travel agent + researched plans
AMENDED & CUSTOMIZED FIJI ITINERARY PLANS & NOTES FROM A TRAVEL AGENT
NOTE: The following is based on my research + correspondence between a travel agent and I before my trip:
ON VITI LEVU ISLAND
NOTE: The following is based on my research + correspondence between a travel agent and I before my trip:
ON VITI LEVU ISLAND
(MAINLAND of the 332 islands)19-29 degrees Celsius (64-80 degrees Farenheight with 75-80 norm on land & 70-80 norm in water during winter’s May-October dry season - max. temp. all yr. usually 78.8-87.9 degrees farenheight)
Nadi:2 days (incl. nearby locations; 1st & last 2 days)
Visitor’s Bureau in airport where arrive 5:10 a.m. 7/23 after 10 hrs. on Air Pacific flight 811 from Los Angeles),
Bula Festival is 23rd -25th & I'm interested in what that's like. I may want to check it out & must buy sulus (sarongs) & $20 gift of kava root for sevusevu that 1st day for village stay
½ hr. N. of Nadi: Next: Garden of Sleeping Giant (over 2000 aromatic orchids m-sat 9-5 sun 9-noon $8 & ½ hr. N. of Nadi). Just past that, Sabeto Hot Springs & mud pool (best in eve. $3.50-5 m-sat. 8-5)
Last days in Nadi: 8/10 leave 10 or 15 from Denarau Isl (near Nadi) for 1 day dive, swim & snorkel in pristine Mamanuca Islands (along with the Yasawa Islands, it is the driest part, most beautiful & clearest beaches, cheapest all inclusive family resort options but has most of mosquitos), then back to Nadi for dinner at The Original Curry House ($10-20 Indian food) or where under $10 (other options incl. South Sea Cruises $125-135 leave 9 return 6)
8/11: Start in N., just S. of Main St. bridge for food & souvenir shopping culminating in the beautiful Hindu temple Sri Siva Subramanya Swami Temple (daily 9-5 $3.50) and Indian cultural centers (where they teach/demo dance & music), prior to Air Pacific flight 810 leaving at 10 p.m.) are definites. I imagine budgeting $200-400 max. for souvenirs is good idea. Less important are Natadola Beach (beautiful & best in Nadi & incl. horseback riding)
the inter-island flights are very restrictive (15kg or only about 33 pounds for your checked bags).
Korolevu 4 nights; 2 hrs. from Nadi & 2 ½ from Suva capitol: Namatakula Village Stay F$380 (half of U.S. dollars during my stay), deposit $80 paid at www.fijibure.com/namatakula
Activities: traditional mat, basket, & pottery making, great fresh food [can get recipes incl. online] + music CDs online], band, dance, sing, horseback, village & Coral Coast tour, snorkel, swim, scuba dive, watch octopus catching in soft coral capitol of the world with over 1000 fish species, eat traditional food: drink kava at welcoming ceremonies (sevusevus), fresh fish & produce, cassava, dalo (or taro), rou rou (like spinach), sweet fruits incl. coconut.
Accommodations: stay in prominent, prosperous home by local standards in large village amongst 400 inhabitants, mobile phones work & can buy a telecard from Judith, taxi driver-at-Warwick Hotel-host can pick up from Nadi; Simon whose home # is ____________ , 24/7 electricity, most beds have low ceiling fans, TV, flush toilet, private cold & warm showers, 3 small stores, theft is rare-nonexistant,
Internet 15 min. walk to Warwick or Crusoes Hotels (www.crusoesretreat.com 650-0185), 5 min. walk from the Beachhouse (almost stayed in 4 bedroom dorm or garden room for 1-3 days at a time &/or same for Mango Bay Resort 650-1565 www.mangobayresortfiji.com recreational activities at resorts incl. horseback riding beach, outdoor night cinema, swim up bar, bonfire, party, no kids, kayack, raft at latter)
visit Votua Village- great conservation efforts, mat-making, making flower leis(salu salu making), bure building, study herbal plants, trek to Hot Springs, waterfall(Biausevu Falls F10$ w/Adventures in Paradise in Korotogo for tours 652-0833), observe village mtg., prawn fish in river, horseback riding, snorkel, eat at only Fijian-owned restaurant www.visilantes.com & dive at beach in only village-run dive shop www.fiji_mikes_divers.cfm
(village etiquette: no shades, hat, well-covered body, bring kava $20,no tips but can donate books, pens, note pads, erasers, sharpeners, clothes... when visit school; farewell song “Isa Lei”)
It’s b/t Warwick & Naviti Resorts (latter is 100 km from Nadi airport & again, can use services at any resort & latter has firewalkers Wed. F16, lovo Fri.& most resorts offer it wkly. [traditional feast w/protein wrapped in banana leaves & cooked in heated rocks in underground oven]F48, ATM, Internet F.30 p/min., mini-fitness ctr., beauty ctr. The Warwick has Mon. firewalkers at 1830 F15)
Alex at Diveaway Fiji 650-1124 10 min. away (like Hideaway Resort): 2 day referral course open water dive certification/shark dive. Most all of the hostel / backpacker types of accommodation are easy to get on arrival. Mango Bay’s bures run about US$140 per night, the dorm accommodations about $20. You should also be able to arrange the village visits on arrival either by booking with one of the local tour companies or just stopping by. The tour desks at most of the nearby resorts can also assist. Sigatoka 1 day: visitor center just west of town; hike/climb 1,106 acre Sigatoka Sand Dunes (max. 50 ft. for travel insurance coverage) in 1st Nat’l Park in Fiji (bring huge water bottle on this UNESCO World Heritage site incl. prehistoric sites & breathtaking views from top after long, hard, leg-burning climb; great for picnic at top & watching sunset; easy & fun going down 8-6 $5), Kalevu Cultural Center (all day probably arts & dance demos & housing types)
Other sites on Coral Coast (near Sigatoka) which is famous for resorts & beaches: Kula Eco Park (2 hrs. handling reptiles etc. animals, rainforest walk & birdwatch is a must 10-4:30 $20 across from Outrigger on the Lagoon Resort, 20 min. from Naviti Hotel) & I'd like learning more about Sigatoka Sand Dunes & how long tour will take for each. Kula is good, and you should allocate a couple of hours. Sand Dunes are hike based, so you could take up to 4+ hours depending on how fast you walk.
Activities: traditional mat, basket, & pottery making, great fresh food [can get recipes incl. online] + music CDs online], band, dance, sing, horseback, village & Coral Coast tour, snorkel, swim, scuba dive, watch octopus catching in soft coral capitol of the world with over 1000 fish species, eat traditional food: drink kava at welcoming ceremonies (sevusevus), fresh fish & produce, cassava, dalo (or taro), rou rou (like spinach), sweet fruits incl. coconut.
Accommodations: stay in prominent, prosperous home by local standards in large village amongst 400 inhabitants, mobile phones work & can buy a telecard from Judith, taxi driver-at-Warwick Hotel-host can pick up from Nadi; Simon whose home # is ____________ , 24/7 electricity, most beds have low ceiling fans, TV, flush toilet, private cold & warm showers, 3 small stores, theft is rare-nonexistant,
Internet 15 min. walk to Warwick or Crusoes Hotels (www.crusoesretreat.com 650-0185), 5 min. walk from the Beachhouse (almost stayed in 4 bedroom dorm or garden room for 1-3 days at a time &/or same for Mango Bay Resort 650-1565 www.mangobayresortfiji.com recreational activities at resorts incl. horseback riding beach, outdoor night cinema, swim up bar, bonfire, party, no kids, kayack, raft at latter)
visit Votua Village- great conservation efforts, mat-making, making flower leis(salu salu making), bure building, study herbal plants, trek to Hot Springs, waterfall(Biausevu Falls F10$ w/Adventures in Paradise in Korotogo for tours 652-0833), observe village mtg., prawn fish in river, horseback riding, snorkel, eat at only Fijian-owned restaurant www.visilantes.com & dive at beach in only village-run dive shop www.fiji_mikes_divers.cfm
(village etiquette: no shades, hat, well-covered body, bring kava $20,no tips but can donate books, pens, note pads, erasers, sharpeners, clothes... when visit school; farewell song “Isa Lei”)
It’s b/t Warwick & Naviti Resorts (latter is 100 km from Nadi airport & again, can use services at any resort & latter has firewalkers Wed. F16, lovo Fri.& most resorts offer it wkly. [traditional feast w/protein wrapped in banana leaves & cooked in heated rocks in underground oven]F48, ATM, Internet F.30 p/min., mini-fitness ctr., beauty ctr. The Warwick has Mon. firewalkers at 1830 F15)
Alex at Diveaway Fiji 650-1124 10 min. away (like Hideaway Resort): 2 day referral course open water dive certification/shark dive. Most all of the hostel / backpacker types of accommodation are easy to get on arrival. Mango Bay’s bures run about US$140 per night, the dorm accommodations about $20. You should also be able to arrange the village visits on arrival either by booking with one of the local tour companies or just stopping by. The tour desks at most of the nearby resorts can also assist. Sigatoka 1 day: visitor center just west of town; hike/climb 1,106 acre Sigatoka Sand Dunes (max. 50 ft. for travel insurance coverage) in 1st Nat’l Park in Fiji (bring huge water bottle on this UNESCO World Heritage site incl. prehistoric sites & breathtaking views from top after long, hard, leg-burning climb; great for picnic at top & watching sunset; easy & fun going down 8-6 $5), Kalevu Cultural Center (all day probably arts & dance demos & housing types)
Other sites on Coral Coast (near Sigatoka) which is famous for resorts & beaches: Kula Eco Park (2 hrs. handling reptiles etc. animals, rainforest walk & birdwatch is a must 10-4:30 $20 across from Outrigger on the Lagoon Resort, 20 min. from Naviti Hotel) & I'd like learning more about Sigatoka Sand Dunes & how long tour will take for each. Kula is good, and you should allocate a couple of hours. Sand Dunes are hike based, so you could take up to 4+ hours depending on how fast you walk.
Pacific Harbor 1-3 days where wetter & greener than S.W. part of island & most adventures (45 min. from Korolevu): I definitely want to include day 1 $US220 rafting or kayaking US75 b/t black volcanic rock walls of the upper Navua Gorge River with Rivers Fiji if in good enough physical condition (www.riverfiji.com or 800-446-2411) and/or another company if offered for less.
www.artsvillage.com 10:30 a.m. & all day required (learn arts & customs; Rosie Holidays car rentals/tours 345-0655);
1 day shark dive excursion (whether here at www.aquatrek.com , Beqa Adventure Divers
(www.fiji-sharks.com at 345-0911 ) where they also have Beqa Lagoon Shark Reef Dive where you can see bull sharks & up to 7 other types of this endangered animal also at their Shark Reef Marine Reserve in this “Year of the Shark,” or elsewhere if more affordable) and Indo-Fijian cultural immersion if possible. Interest in Tsulu hotel (www.tsulu.com) & viewing The Pearl South Pacific Hotel(www.thepearlsouthpacific.com ). The full day Upper Navua river trip will run about US$120. Rivers Fiji is the company to do it with. The best rate for the Shark Dive is with Aqua Trek, and is US$135 (2 tank dive) plus $15 Shark Marine Reserve fee. Suva: minimum 2 days but ideally 4 in this often rainy & cloudy capitol since its in rainforest area unlike beach areas on west coast; South Seas Hotel seems best (quiet residential area backpacker hotel w/shared bathrooms, 5 min. from museum, park, Singh Indian restaurant & incl. activities mentioned on their site of canoeing, rafting, & bushwalk are partial reasons why.
day 1 tour ancient artifacts & cultures of last 100 yrs., view crafts incl. tapa cloth, woodcarving, baskets, fans, hats, mats at Fiji Museum (must begin early Tues. &/or Thurs. preferred 8-4:30 but f8-4, sat.9:30-4:30 open), lunch at Old Mill Cottage or Hare Krishna Restaurant (11-3 best & under $10)
day 2 early morn. 8-4 daily $5 wear mud boots, get map, & guide before entering Colo-I Suva Forest Park w/4 sq. mile walks & natural pools in rainforest before seeing Raintree Lodge architecture & restaurant 1 min. away, afternoon shop at Curio & Handicraft Market & view Suva Municipal Market (like festival m-sat.8-5) along Stinson parade. Ra Marana House( great coffee, smoothies, serenity, wireless Internet).
Higher afternoon priorities: Univ. South Pacific's Oceania
Centre/Oceania Dance Theatre., jazz bands, Black Rose band
Given time, I'd like visiting the offices of the World Wildlife Fund & Greenpeace (environmentalist organizations that I’ve been a member of). Others which are less priorities incl. viewing Parliament House traditional architecture, South Indian Firewalking Fest (July/Aug. at Mariamma Temple), Bollywood music & film + shopping in Toorak & Cumming Streets (latter ones can be done in areas like Bloomfield & Edison NJ + NYC). All of these things are walk-in and you shouldn't have any trouble just doing them at your leisure (based on their hours of operations, of course). You should also be able to walk in at South Seas as well. I know all that's a lot but as you can see, I want to take full advantage of time there! Let me know if too much to handle; I know I'm picky. I have to run out. All in all, I think that you won’t have enough time or budget to do all you have set aside based on what you have told me. I think that your best bet to get as much in as possible would be to remain flexible and make you arrangements for those things once you are there and have a better feel for how much you can really fit in. Fiji doesn’t operate at the frantic pace that we are used to here, and you may find that an especially tight schedule will leave you frustrated and disappointed. Thanks, DeAnna
*Fiji country code for initial part of dialing is 679; time zone GMT + 12 hrs.
- amembassy-fiji.gov
- register w/embassy at travelregistration.state.gov
-snakes on the mainland wiped out by the invasive mongoose introduced from India
www.artsvillage.com 10:30 a.m. & all day required (learn arts & customs; Rosie Holidays car rentals/tours 345-0655);
1 day shark dive excursion (whether here at www.aquatrek.com , Beqa Adventure Divers
(www.fiji-sharks.com at 345-0911 ) where they also have Beqa Lagoon Shark Reef Dive where you can see bull sharks & up to 7 other types of this endangered animal also at their Shark Reef Marine Reserve in this “Year of the Shark,” or elsewhere if more affordable) and Indo-Fijian cultural immersion if possible. Interest in Tsulu hotel (www.tsulu.com) & viewing The Pearl South Pacific Hotel(www.thepearlsouthpacific.com ). The full day Upper Navua river trip will run about US$120. Rivers Fiji is the company to do it with. The best rate for the Shark Dive is with Aqua Trek, and is US$135 (2 tank dive) plus $15 Shark Marine Reserve fee. Suva: minimum 2 days but ideally 4 in this often rainy & cloudy capitol since its in rainforest area unlike beach areas on west coast; South Seas Hotel seems best (quiet residential area backpacker hotel w/shared bathrooms, 5 min. from museum, park, Singh Indian restaurant & incl. activities mentioned on their site of canoeing, rafting, & bushwalk are partial reasons why.
day 1 tour ancient artifacts & cultures of last 100 yrs., view crafts incl. tapa cloth, woodcarving, baskets, fans, hats, mats at Fiji Museum (must begin early Tues. &/or Thurs. preferred 8-4:30 but f8-4, sat.9:30-4:30 open), lunch at Old Mill Cottage or Hare Krishna Restaurant (11-3 best & under $10)
day 2 early morn. 8-4 daily $5 wear mud boots, get map, & guide before entering Colo-I Suva Forest Park w/4 sq. mile walks & natural pools in rainforest before seeing Raintree Lodge architecture & restaurant 1 min. away, afternoon shop at Curio & Handicraft Market & view Suva Municipal Market (like festival m-sat.8-5) along Stinson parade. Ra Marana House( great coffee, smoothies, serenity, wireless Internet).
Higher afternoon priorities: Univ. South Pacific's Oceania
Centre/Oceania Dance Theatre., jazz bands, Black Rose band
Given time, I'd like visiting the offices of the World Wildlife Fund & Greenpeace (environmentalist organizations that I’ve been a member of). Others which are less priorities incl. viewing Parliament House traditional architecture, South Indian Firewalking Fest (July/Aug. at Mariamma Temple), Bollywood music & film + shopping in Toorak & Cumming Streets (latter ones can be done in areas like Bloomfield & Edison NJ + NYC). All of these things are walk-in and you shouldn't have any trouble just doing them at your leisure (based on their hours of operations, of course). You should also be able to walk in at South Seas as well. I know all that's a lot but as you can see, I want to take full advantage of time there! Let me know if too much to handle; I know I'm picky. I have to run out. All in all, I think that you won’t have enough time or budget to do all you have set aside based on what you have told me. I think that your best bet to get as much in as possible would be to remain flexible and make you arrangements for those things once you are there and have a better feel for how much you can really fit in. Fiji doesn’t operate at the frantic pace that we are used to here, and you may find that an especially tight schedule will leave you frustrated and disappointed. Thanks, DeAnna
*Fiji country code for initial part of dialing is 679; time zone GMT + 12 hrs.
- amembassy-fiji.gov
- register w/embassy at travelregistration.state.gov
-snakes on the mainland wiped out by the invasive mongoose introduced from India
Summary of Original Fijian Plans in March 2009
Due to too many questionable issues with the founder & director of the Institute for Cultural Ecology below, I was given permission & even encouraged by the Dodge Foundation to change my initial plans. I almost even changed my destination a few times but thank God I didn't. Here is what I planned to do at first:
Shorter Version: My Geraldine Dodge Teacher fellowship is paying for an internship with the Institute of Cultural Ecology to Fiji for six weeks where I'll stay with Fijians, gaining a hands on education about the unique and traditional Fijian culture, coral reefs, and the cultural ecology linking them! After becoming a licensed scuba diver, while helping marine scientists, fishermen, and other divers map the reef near the village, I will be part of ReefCheck, an international volunteer survey tracking global trends in the endangered coral reef crisis, helping to collect information on the abundance and diversity of coral species, publicizing their significance, and helping establish a long-term coral reef monitoring and protection program at these sites which also safeguards local villagers' livelihood and sustainability since reef fish are a staple part of their diet and fishing their main livelihood. There'll even be opportunities to go on ecological or cultural fieldtrips! Interns can learn new skills & participate in reforestation projects, rainforest trekking, cultural lessons…
I'm a passionate naturalist and environmentalist for those who don't know and can't already tell. Coral reefs are the second most diverse ecosystem in the world and have been the model for some of the most important work in ecology. They are economically valuable as a source of food and compounds that can be used as drugs; they also protect the coast from wave erosion during storms. Coral islands and their white sand beaches attract millions of tourists while many of the world's twenty million scuba enthusiasts travel in search of colorful corals and large reef fish. Coral reefs are the largest biological structures on earth and may be viewed from space! Yet, despite their importance, little has been done to understand how coral reef organisms respond to human activities.
I plan to document my personal and professional growth during and after this experience through a travel blog also used to persuade people to help save endangered coral reefs. I've fallen in love with blogging since I established one last summer in response to my experiences at the Artist-Teacher Institute (thanks also to the Geraldine Dodge Foundation)! Speaking of that life-altering gift, I would be dying to use my photos taken to paint some of the beautiful scenery that exists in the tropical paradise there! I have invested in photography and more oil painting workshops plus a worthwhile camera (finally) to prepare for this one! Attempts to have my photos and paintings exhibited in as many shows, art galleries, and museums as possible would follow. These things will be shared with art majors in my school plus others in and outside of my school district…Last but not least, with the aide of TV Production majors at Arts High where I teach, I'm even more thrilled at the prospect of applying my TV production skills learned in a workshop a couple of years ago towards producing my own documentary which would air on local cable stations, if not greater places!
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