The Heart of Fiji at Lawaki!
I am a university professor from the US, and recently returned from Lawaki with a group of 15 students, my family, and another professor and his son, as the culminating experience of a 2.5 week trip study abroad trip across Fiji.
We chose Lawaki based on careful research as we wanted to give the students as authentic an experience as possible.
Christine and Sam, the delightful owners/managers of Lawaki certainly exceeded our hopes and expectations._ . …
The learning project counting butterfly fish and coral development on the reef just out in front of Lawaki.
Of all the learning experiences we had on offer in Fiji, Helen’s was by far the most professional, educational, and inspiring (my students thought she was absolutely amazing, as did myself, the other professor, and our families)!
After two glorious nights at Lawaki, our second experience, arranged in advance by Christine, was a two-night immersive stay with host families in nearby Naiseuseu village.
Welcomed by our lovely village host, Sowana, upon arrival, our group was distributed amongst five wonderful families and made to feel like family throughout our entire stay in the village.
The entire group loved our two days of interactions with the wonderful children and adults of Naiseuseu village, and many tears were shed upon our departure from a place that felt like home for us.
So, in review, after two weeks of visiting many places in Fiji like the Mamanucas, Yasawas and the Namosi highlands (all of which we enjoyed), the highlight of our experience was definitely the last four nights we spent between Lawaki and Naiseuseu village.
It is hard to find authenticity and sincerity when traveling in this day and age – you will find both of these with the wonderful hosts of Lawaki and Naiseuseu.
Thank you again for everything Christine, Sam, Helen, and Sowana, and all of our other friends on Beqa – we will be back!
Roy
