About Navutulevu - holidays in Fiji

Introduction:

Navutlevu, the place of the old man, is a small to medium sized village perfectly situated on the coral coast between the Warwick Hotel or Crusoes Hotels. The village lies on the Coral Coast on the main island of Viti Levu (see map) and just a few kilometers down the coast from another fijibure destination, Namatakula. Navutulevu is a perfect parody of a mixed Fijian community with several Mataqali clans. You will see run down village houses made out of corrugated iron overlooking beaches who's location would cost millions of dollars in the western world. For tourists visiting Navutulevu there are proper beds on offer with your Fijian hosts. The village homestays at Navutulevu are co-ordinated by Canieli (Thani) Savu who lives in the village. There are some fantastic activities that are unique to Navutulevu including traditional fish netting in the Navutlevu Passage using nothing more than palm leaves! Other activities include a trip to Serau Island where you will get to meet the Provincial Chief, Ratu Peni Latianara, over a bowl of kava. This unique experience is made possible because the provincial chief's family live at Navutulevu. As you will see on the activities page the fascinating island is normally off-limits to tourists and even the local inhabitants.

Image right: Best view in the house - the parody of poverty and million dollar views at Navutulevu

Navutulevu has been chosen by FijiBure.Com as their future administrative centre. An exclusive resort called "Dar-es-Salaam" on a beautiful stretch of beach about 400 meters long will be the nerve centre for bookings and stop offs for tourists embarking on village homestays.

Water and Electricity:

The whole village has a reliable supply of electricity - with power points being compatible with Australian standards. Water is tapped directly from a mountain stream and is purer than the water you find bottled in stores.

Fijian villagers are very healthy and believe that cleanliness is next to Godliness.

Image right: power to the bures (homes)

Clothing:

It is important to note that Fijian villagers are offended by bikinis or scant clothing worn in the village area - be safe and wear clothing that covers the knees and shoulders. Do NOT wear hats in the village.

However, if you go to the beach away from the village treat it like any other - and get a great suntan in a bikini!

Image right: The beautiful setting of Navutulevu

The village:

Navutulevu is spread out between the main road to Suva and the sea. It has a large community hall, several shops and a variety of homes from quite smart to derelict. Regardless of a person's financial status all villagers are treated with equal respect while the villager's affairs are managed by the elders and chief.

You will find a small graveyard right in the middle of the village where the founding fathers of Navutulevu are buried.


The gravestone of Simone Tutuvua father of Emoni Tutuvua seen here	The small graveyard in the middle of Navutulevu	The gravestone of Meli Tutuvud grandfather of Canieli (pronounced Thani) Savu seen here. Meli established the village of Navutulevu.

Telephones:

There are no telephones in Navutulevu at present. The phone line stopping at Namatakula just a few kilometers down the road.

Sport:

Navutulevu boasts the best rugby union team in the province of Serua. The team is proudly sponsored by fijibure.com. This year the Navutulevu Rugby Club made it to the Fijian semi-finals.


Rugby Stars: L-R: Simele Kuruisavulevu R: Maika Savu	The rugby field at Navutulevu

Couples:

You will enjoy the most incredible and memorable holiday adventures whether walking along the secluded beaches, collecting shells, or enjoying some of the unique activities on offer. At Navutulevu you will, from the moment you step into the village, be accepted into the community. You will, in true Fiji-time, be able to participate in traditional ceremonies, like Kava drinking in the "vale ni so qo" (or large community hall), dancing and singing as well as swimming in the sea, snorkeling on the Coral reef, relaxing or visiting the Warwick Hotel or Crusoes Hotels for dinner - both just a short drive away. Alternatively you can just lie under the moon and watch the sea break gently at your feet.

Image right: Some of the magnificent shells you can expect to find on the beach between Namatakula and Navutulevu

It is important to note that the "man is boss" in the traditional Fijian community so you will find the village women doing all the household work, cooking, etc. Tourists to the village are welcome to participate in the kitchen, washing etc... but this is entirely optional although you will enjoy chatting to the women about their experiences at Navutulevu. All food, washing etc.. is done for you by the women in the village - and these costs are included in the cost of accommodation. Navutulevu is very much a fishing village - the Navutulevu passage, which leads up to their beach, is a natural trap for fish of all sizes - and you will be able to see the men catch fish with nets, palm leaves or spear guns. Once again you are not expected to do anything but relax and do what you wish, but for those who want to take a step back in time this is an unforgettable experience well worth considering.

Children:

If you have children this will be a holiday and experience of a lifetime as they are immediately welcomed into the fold by Fijian kids of all ages - about 50 of them! The "village green" which separates two rows of houses at Navutulevu is perfect for a game of cricket, soccer, rugby or other ball games that the Fijian kids just love playing. (Bring a small rugby ball with you and your kids will be kept occupied for your entire stay! Simple things like balloons and sweets are a firm favourite.)

While the local Navutulevu Fijian dialect may be spoken by villagers English is understood by the villagers. (Fijian translation of common greetings can be seen at this link).

Backpackers:

Navutulevu is the ultimate backpacker adventure. You are in a safe environment, welcomed into a friendly community from the moment you arrive but have a natural playground, centered around the Coral Coast to explore.

The traditional welcoming process:

When you arrive at Navutulevu there is a very simple traditional ceremony "sevu sevu" that you can participate in. When the villagers gather in their community hall they welcome guests at a Kava ceremony. An elder from the village will welcome you and the man or male spokesman for your group, at this time, is expected to make a short speech and provide a small gift to the village (such as 1kg of powdered Kava - which cost about F$20 or US$10). Once these formalities are over your hosts Thani will keep you informed of future Kava celebrations, entertainment or other activities taking place during your stay. (A big wooden drum is often beaten to alert villagers of celebrations, church services and other community activities).

More on kava at this link

Payments:

Payment for taxi fares are to be made to your taxi driver when he collects you either from the hotel or airport. Accommodation payments are made to your host on your arrival. Please do not tender credit cards to the village as they do not have those sort of banking facilities - cash is king. There are plenty of ATM machines on the way to Navutulevu - they can be found at Nadi, Sigatoka, Pacific Harbour and Suva. (Simon, who will collect you in his taxi, will help you here).

Image right: The singers at the Warwick Hotel who welcome you and bid you farewell are from Navutulevu

Gifts and Village Funds:

If you are thinking of bringing gifts consider bringing practical things like books, notepads, pencils, rubbers and sharpeners that can be used in the school. If you have children consider bringing a gift of a rugby ball, tennis balls, cricket gear, balloons etc for the village... a great ice breaker and your kids will have a great time. This option is entirely up to you and is not expected.

There is also a village fund which has been set up at the request of past guests. The village fund is contributed to by guests, but it is important to know that donations are voluntary and you are NOT expected to donate to the funds. The funds are administered by the village mataqali (or elders) without any outside influence.

The two village funds are:

a building fund which is used in identified projects that help the entire community; and
micro-financing - a fund which is used to finance small enterprises that individuals or groups of villagers in each village want to set up. The money is loaned interest free and with no strings attached. The recipient is morally bound to return the money once he has started earning an income from his enterprise so that the money can be used again to help someone else in the village.

There will be a poster in your guest room in the village which tells you more about the village funds, alternatively you can discuss them with your host.