The Sigatoka River is the longest river on the island of Viti Levu, running from the hills of the Navosa Province right down to the sand dunes in Kulukulu, on the famous Coral Coast. Harley Man and I had the opportunity to travel by jet boat down this river to visit a Fijian village. The river ride provided a spectacular view of the mountains and valley area. During our boat ride we learned the river provides locals with fresh water mussels (kai), fish, prawns, eels, water for agriculture and for drinking.
The river was used as the only means of transport from the coast to the interior right up until the late 1950's. The travel time for many villagers from Navosa in those days was 3 days down alone, with the return journey being even longer.
Our captain for the ride was Josh Ratukuna, aka Captain Jack Sparrow!! His knowledge of the area was amazing and as we travelled along the river he would stop the boat and provide information about the landscape, the people and life along the river. After a 20 minute ride down the Sigatoka River, we arrived at our destination. Climbing up a steep, muddy bank and then walking down a dirt road, we were greeted by the villagers of the Naveyago Village. Before we could enter the village, all the women had to don a "sulu" (a cloth that is tied around the waist to cover your legs) so as not to offend the villagers. Women are not to be exposed in Fijian villages.
At the main village house or community center we were asked to remove our shoes and come inside for a traditional Kava Ceremony a ritualistic and proper welcoming. Sitting crossed legged on the floor, our guide explained the Kava ceremony; Bob (one of our group members) was elected our Chief Representative. The traditional offering of a kilo of Kava, called a Savusavu, was presented to the village Chief. Each guests was given a bowl of kava which tastes earthy and watery. The women were then given leis to wear and we all had white powder applied to our cheeks to symbolize peace.
We toured the village, seeing the church and houses of the village. The villagers prepared a lunch for us, so we entered one of the homes and as part of the ceremony, lunch was spread out on the floor on cloths. Lunch consisted of chicken, curry potato, egg and noodles, small cabbage salad, flat Indian bread called Roti, fruit and sweet cakes. It was washed down with the local drink of water, orange juice and sugar.
Before I knew it... we were singing and dancing to traditional Fijian music with the village men, women and children. The Fijian people love to show and share their culture with the outside world; their form of entertainment. On a hot and humid day, the dancing was quite a workout!
We then said our goodbyes to the villagers and a lump formed in my throat as I realized what a privilege it was to be surrounded by such a gracious group of men, women and children. They opened their village and homes to a group of strangers and showed all of us what having "heart" is really about!
Talk about an experience of a lifetime....I was humbled by the warmth and graciousness of these Fijian villagers!!! They made a lasting impression on me...for sure!!!
Our guide and the village spokesman and several villagers escorted us back to the jet boat and watched as we boarded safely. With final waves from everyone, Captain Jack revved up the engine and the jet boat’s speed gave us a welcome breeze as we skimmed and maneuvered across the river water returning us to our bus.
Magnificent.....it was just magnificent!!!
Talk about an experience of a lifetime....I was humbled by the warmth and graciousness of these Fijian villagers!!! They made a lasting impression on me...for sure!!!
Our guide and the village spokesman and several villagers escorted us back to the jet boat and watched as we boarded safely. With final waves from everyone, Captain Jack revved up the engine and the jet boat’s speed gave us a welcome breeze as we skimmed and maneuvered across the river water returning us to our bus.
Magnificent.....it was just magnificent!!!
