Fiji: Days 14-21

June 09, 2017 by Jessi Teich

Hey All!! It has been difficult to post because so much has happened (and the wifi is not so great), so I will try and catch you up from the last week. One of the most profound aspects of this trip so far has been the village stay in Votua Lalai. This village, by our standards, is very poor, but they welcomed us into their home, cooked us a huge feast, served us endless bowls of kava, and gave us their beds to sleep in. I spent most of the night playing with the kids and singing songs with the musicians. It was unforgettable. Since then, we have transitioned to Nadi (pronounced Nandi) and had the chance to visit an orphanage called Treasure Home. We brought toys and school supplies for them and had the opportunity to sing and play games. The women who worked at the orphanage were so happy we came to spend time with the children. All in all, a great week. XO! JT

Kava ceremony in Votua Lalai with members of the village.

A woman from the village took over serving the kava, which tends to be less common.

This is our beautiful feast which we ate with our hands (makes me want to throw away all of my flatware)!

The chief came by to greet us and chat for a while. Although I didn't get a photo with him, I did get a photo of his pretty, blue home!

This photo was taken at Treasure Home. All of these children are considered orphans and are living here full time. They were so sweet and loved playing with us.

We visited a kava market in Nadi. This is a photo of what kava root looks like before it's ground into powder.

This is the Hindi temple in Nadi. Very ornate and beautiful.

Below are a few photos some of my colleagues took from previous excursions:

Driftwood teepee.You can write me at: Jessi Teich, 1 Driftwood Lane, Somewhere on the beach in the Fiji Islands... ;) — Driftwood teepee.
You can write me at: Jessi Teich, 1 Driftwood Lane, Somewhere on the beach in the Fiji Islands... ;)

This lovely caffeinated concoction is called a niuccacino! 2 shots of espresso with local coconut milk and coconut cream all poured into an authentic coconut shell. "Niu" (pronounced new) is the Fijian word for coconut, hence "niu"caccino. :) — This lovely caffeinated concoction is called a niuccacino! 2 shots of espresso with local coconut milk and coconut cream all poured into an authentic coconut shell. "Niu" (pronounced new) is the Fijian word for coconut, hence "niu"caccino. :)

Fiji: Days 13-16

June 04, 2017 by Jessi Teich

The last few days have been filled with more amazing adventures and a continued education of this beautiful, collectivistic culture. We took a gorgeous horseback riding trip through the Fijian bush where we found yet another waterfall to play in. Below you'll see my old-lady horse Mimsy and our tour guide Abby. I've made friends with the local band who are sweet as pie. We also hiked a gorgeous trail to some massive sand dunes where we discovered a beautiful beach that is full of driftwood teepees. Tonight we are transitioning to the village next door called Votua Lalai. We will sleep there for the night and then continue our trek to Nadi (pronounced Nandi). Oh yes, and I found Clinton, NJ in Fiji... scroll below to see! Xo! JT

Gorgeous views on the hike to the sand dunes at the Coral Coast.

Driftwood teepees on the beach. Currently looking for a roommate! ;)

At long last... some serious beach time.

Yes I met a puppy named Moana. No I didn't take her home with me. She lives at the sand dunes with her mama! How cool!!

From Clinton, NJ to Fiji! How small is this world?? Congrats on your upcoming wedding Matt & Nicole!! What a beautiful place you have chosen to get married!

Fiji: Days 10-12

May 31, 2017 by Jessi Teich

We finally made it to the Coral Coast! It was very sad to leave Suva since we became so close to the staff at Grand Pacific Hotel, but life moves forward, as always. The last few days we have been working AND playing. I included some photos to catch you up to speed. Enjoy! XO! JT

Tiki torch lighting ceremony! Goodbye Suva...

Class on the beach! Best classroom view EVER.

Tree swinging with my friend Nali on Beqa Island.

Our visit to Sigatoka pottery village. The locals make the pottery from clay found in the village and glaze it with tree sap. How resourceful!

Beautiful women of the village presenting us with song and dance.

I met 7 month old Winnie at the Kula Eco Park today. She was cuddly and kept nuzzling my arm for warmth.

And then there was Kevin, the lizard... who decided that my head had the best view of all.

Fiji: Days 7-9

May 28, 2017 by Jessi Teich

The last three days have been magical, if you believe in that sort of thing. One day was a rope swing in the middle of the Fijian forest, and next we were left stranded on Beqa Island to eat lovo, drink kava, and snorkel. I'll let the photos do the talking...

Day 7:

Making friends on the local bus to Colo-I-Suva Eco Park!

Colo-I-Suva where we hiked to a watering hole and swung on a rope swing!

Day 8:

Local village visit to the kids with the big Bula smiles!!

Day 9:

Had to squeeze some study time in today... might as well do it pool side! ;)

Miss and love you guys. XO! Jessi

Fiji: Day 7

May 25, 2017 by Jessi Teich

Today was an incredibly special day. My colleagues and I hopped on a bus and took a ride down to a port where we boarded little green motor boats and headed up the Navua River. The landscape was breathtaking. We cruised up the river for about 45 minutes until we reached a little narrow walkway. We followed it to find a gorgeous waterfall with a little watering hole that we proceeded to jump in immediately. It was quite the sight. On the way back we hopped onto a bamboo raft and floated along the river for a while. After this adventure, we headed over to Koromakawa Village where we were greeted as chiefs with the sound of a big drum and the blowing of a conch shell. We started the tour of the village with a visit to the lovo pits where they prepared our food underground (depicted in the photo with the men in the grass skirts). This was followed by a traditional kava ceremony and then they presented us with dance and song. We learned about the village way of life and the masculine-feminine hierarchy. It is truly a beautiful culture that is full of rich tradition and a collectivistic way of life. XO! JT