Bula Vinaka from Togalevu, Viti Levu, Fiji!
Over the past two weeks, the Hongi group has been lucky enough to live amongst the amazing people of Togalevu. During our time here, we have been welcomed to experience what it is like to live and work in a Fijian village. Although our time here is coming to an end, we will carry the things that we have learned and the relationships that we have made with us.
During our first week in Togalevu, we spent our mornings working around the kindergarten, helping build a fence. Although the sun was hot, we managed to mix cement, paint fence posts, secure wire, and play with children. When it was especially warm outside, we would take a dip in the river to cool off after work. Our afternoons were open to interact with the villagers, by playing volleyball, going fishing, chasing around a group of 4 year olds, laughing with the women, taking strolls around the village, or drinking afternoon tea with our homestay families. At dinner time, we would all gather again to eat communally at the main hall. After we stuffed ourselves with delicious Fijian food, we would dance and drink kava together. On Sunday, we all dressed in traditional Fijian clothing to attend a local church service.
Following the first week, we explored the area surrounding Togalevu. We hiked up Joskies Thumb, a thumb-like mountain that overlooks the village. Although we weren’t able to hike to the top of the mountain, due to our lack of rope and inexperience with rock climbing, we could see the ocean stretching across the coast, Suva’s harbor in the distance, and hills rolling beneath us. We also visited The Museum of Fiji and the Fiji Naval Base, learning more about the history of the people who live here. We spent a day exploring Namuka Island, right off the coast of Suva. It is ral reefs full of marine life, tangled jungle and beautiful beaches. We were able to eat fresh seafood caught during our day on the island, and play in volleyball in the sand, gaining some intense sunburns.
uninhabited with the exception of one friendly Canadian family. The island boasts gorgeous co
We’ve absolutely loved our time spent in Togalevu. We have built irreplaceable relationships within the village and each of our families, and we are sad to be leaving. But, we are so excited for our upcoming week of student directed travel, where we will spend more time camping on Namuka Island and at an Eco-Lodge near Nadi.
Ni sa moce from Suva!
Claudia and Bryan