Global

Village

Homestays

G'day

The growing success of village homestays in Fiji has led to a very busy year expanding the project to a global perspective! So it is time for an update.

In January I will be travelling to Europe - so if you know of any culturally rich villages that could benefit from homestays - please contact me!

South Africa

We have now expanded our operation to South Africa where we currently have two villages participating with others in the sidelines. The expansion into South Africa follows Scott Balson's launch of his latest book "Children of the Mist" - about the Griqua people of South Africa. More on his trip at this link.

Image right: The traditional Hottentot huts at Ratelgat - modified for basic western needs.

The participating villages include a Griqua village/sustainable tourism project north of Cape Town called "Ratelgat" and Sotho villages in the remote foothills of the Drakensberg. A Zulu village homestay is on the cards.

You can check out the South African Homestays web site at this link (http://www.rsahomestays.com)

Thailand

Now here's an exciting option for the adventurer. Currently in its formation stage through our Australian guide, Liam Childs, Thai Homestays will offer something completely different. You will be able to stay in traditional villages and then embark on long treks through the bush on the backs of elephants.

Liam is currently setting up the homestays in Thailand - so watch this space for more!

You can find out more about Liam Child at this link (http://www.thaihomestays.com)

FijiBure.com

With all this talk of coups and military uprising in the media my sources in Fiji tell me that the whole debacle will settle down quietly and after a few egos have cooled down. I will be visiting Fiji in two weeks to include two new villages, Namuka Village near Suva and Ekubu village on Vatulele.

After a quietish start to the year the bookings have picked up dramatically and we have doubled the number of guests to the participating villages this calendar year.

We now work closely with adventure groups like Intrepid Travel who visit our villages as part of their longer adventure tours with groups of people.

Thank you all for you support and participation in this exciting venture. Or as our hosts would say, vinaka vakalevu.

Seganalega Marau! (Don't worry, be happy!

You can find out more about FijiBure.com at this link (http://www.fijibure.com)

Global Village Homestays

Scott Balson - email linked here