Tribewanted: VITIKA...a new journey begins

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Ben Keene By Bengazi, Vorovoro, Fiji Posted 13 Oct 2008

From the makers of Tribewanted: VOROVORO comes a new Fijian journey…

...welcome to the VITIKA

A seven night-eight day adventure around North Eastern Fiji – through jungle, into villages, along beaches, across reefs and onto islands at the very edge of Fiji time!

The Vitika (veeteeka) will take the Vorovoro experience to the road – a slow, traditonal journey using local transport and on foot with equal emphasis on culture and the environments we pass through.

There will be a mixture of village stays and bush camps, including a classic survivor style island stay (minus the cameras).

Vitika IMPACT
As with Vorovoro we will be looking to make a strong, positve social impact and a minimal negative environmental impact. The Vitika will look to celebrate Fijian culture – as each group of tribe members learn the approrpiate etiquette from sevusevu to meke! We will carry out all the non-recyclable trash we generate (we will be measuring our waste) and aim to share sustainable lifestyle and development ideas with each other and the communities we come into contact with.

“Having only recently been on a couple of trips up the coast to Udu and through the interior of North Eastern Vanua Levu, I can’t believe I haven’t been sooner. It is the most spectacular part of Fiji I’ve scene in three years of travelling around the country. But the really special thing about this jounrey is that you will be staying with Vorovoro’s extended family along the way. The Vitika is a great way to help spread some of the trade we’ve brought to Vorovoro to even more remote areas in a responsible way, and for tribe members to see and learn more from one of the most inspiring parts pf the world I’ve visited.” Ben Keene

“Early next morning we woke one by one and walked out onto the porch to be greeted with our first sighting of where exactly we were in the world. The house was atop one side of a huge valley, which was as green as you could ever imagine… “
Read Sloggs account of our first trek into the Northern Interior

Book your place on the Vitika today! £235: 7 nights accomodation, all local transport, all meals, guides, and grog.




Vitika Itinerary

Day one, Sat 27th December, Labasa to B-acu:

  • AM, arrive Labasa. Await full complement of trekkers
  • Visit market to buy Kava and supplies
  • Midday/early PM, Three hour bus ride from Labasa heads Eastwards into the mountainous interior of Vanua Levu. Dusk drop off and an hours trek into the bush to stay at local settlement.
  • Sevusevu, rest/wash/eat/kava-ceremony/sleep

Day two, B-acu to Naboutini:

  • Wake to 360 degree view of jungle & breakfast.
  • Full days trek through the bush, following river all the way to the ocean.
  • Beach walk to Naboutini village where Junior’s family are from.
  • Sevusevu, rest/wash/eat/kava-ceremony/sleep

Day three, Naboutini to Tawake:

  • Early boat from Naboutini to Tawake village with possiblity of short trek and a night time bush camp.
  • Sevusevu in local settlement
  • Rest/wash/eat/sleep

Day four, Tawake to Yasawa:

  • Early boat part way to Yasawa followed by a trek to Yasawa village via settlements and local school. PM visit to the Meridian line.
  • Sevusevu, rest/wash/eat/kava-ceremony/sleep

Day five, Yasawa to Nabouna (Via Udu Point):

  • Trek around the spectacular Udu point, visiting the lighthouse and a settlement for lunch
  • Boat back to Yasawa followed by trek to Nabouono Village on North side of point in time for a lagoon bath at sunset
  • Sevusevu, rest/wash/eat/kava-ceremony/sleep
  • Celebrate new year with the first people in the world to do so, on the dateline!

Day six, Nabouna to Cawaro:

  • Meet boat captain Api for two hour boat ride Cawaro in Lagi bay, stopping to spear fish for the chief.
  • Sevusevu, rest/wash/eat lunch
  • PM visit local boarding school
  • Evening in Cawaro village, kava ceremony/sleep

Day seven, Cawaro to Gevo Island:

  • AM, Trek to Lagi Bay
  • Meet boat captain and leave from Lagi bay to Gevo Island for Survivor Bush Camp
  • Arrive Gevo island, Sevusevu at local settlement
  • Construct beach shelter and ready the camp
  • Rest/wash/eat/sleep

Day Eight, Gevo Island to Vorovoro:

  • Leave depending on tides for two hour boat ride to Vorovoro for tea and cake.
  • Tribe members staying on for Vorovoro remain on island, all others depart for Labasa lunchtime.

Your Tribewanted: Vitika Team

Junior: Your Guide
Many tribe members will have met Junior, but will probably know his brother – Save, and his mum – Va, a little better.

Api: Your Captain
Api has captained almost 2000 tribal journeys on the water in the last two and a half years. He is our trusted brother on the water. Api’s Hammock Society Interview

Sloggs: Your Co-ordinator

Paul Sloggett came to Fiji in early July as a tribe member, was elected September Chief and is now promoting the project in and around Nadi. Sloggs was on our first Vanua Levu trek and will be on the first few Vitika’s to make sure they go well. Paul will be co-ordinating all bookings and logistics for the Vitika, contact him on sloggs@tribewanted.com


Vitika Dates from the Grand Eastern, Labasa, Fiji

2008
December 27th-January 3rd (New Year at Meridian Line)

2009 (first six months)
January 31st-February 7th
February 21st-28th
March 28th-April 4th
April 18th-April 25th
May 9th-16th
May 23rd-30th
June 6th-13th
June 20th-27th


How to secure your place on the Tribewanted: VITIKA

1. Check availability (maximum 10 in each group) by emailing Paul in Fiji, sloggs@tribewanted.com

2. Book your week by paying here



3. Receive confirmation email from us

4. See you in Labasa


Frequently asked Vitkia Questions

What’s do I get for £235?
- 7 nights accommodation
- All meals
- Guides
- All local transport: bus and boats
- Kava: Sevusevu for each village

What do I need to budget for?

- International Flights to Fiji
- Domestic travel to Labasa (flights with Pacific Sun approx £80 return from Nadi). Boats & Buses to Labasa cheaper but more patience and time needed!
- Sulu ($15)
- Extra snacks/ kava (but you can manage without)
- Tip for guides

What gear is essential?
- Decent rucksack
- Good walking shoes – cross-trainers/ boots
- Suncream
- Raincoat

Recommended extras?
- Mosquito net or good repellant for beach camps
- Thin camping style mattress


Terms & Conditions

The terms and conditions for Tribewanted: VITIKA are the same as Tribewanted: VOROVORO. For Vorovoro, read Vitika.

Comments

Avril Fletcher By Avril Fletcher, Devon, England Posted Oct 13, 2008 4:13pm

What a wonderful development!! Am very sorry not to be able to take it up!!

Junior I may this goes from strength to strength!!

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