Galoa Island Fiji

More about Galoa Village - ideal Fiji holiday

The Galoa is a small 500 year old town with about 200 residents and fifty homes. It is located off the northerly coastline of Vanua Levu in Fiji's northerly region. Picture right: The small town is situated on a thin, sand coloured javelin - that means you can see the sunrise and sunset over the sea from there.

Galoa guests can await sleeping on a real bunk in a big building. You will be hosted by a celebrity hostess, Disele and Benioni Turaga (see picture on the right) and your home is one of the biggest houses in the town ( it has a dining area for 20 people). Galoa's biggest building is its two main churchs-a Methodist and a God's Assembly one.

They are very much involved in this pious fellowship. There is a large elementary college in the municipality, which you are welcome to attend. It' has the biggest mongoose that I' ve ever seen - probably over 100 years old (the picture on the right is of the mongoose trees). If you are not already living in Savu Savu on Vanua Levu - the only way to reach the town is by ferry - by coach from Suva or Nadi.

There is a toilets in the host's home in Galoa and laundry is provided by a "Fiji shower" (i.e. a pail of water). There are enough storm surge reservoirs in the town. In Galoa there is a dependable power supply for the generators, which only operates from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at noon.

Fijians are very healthful and believe that cleanness is next to divinity. Clothes: It is important to be aware that Fijians are insulted by bikini or sparse clothes in the area of the villages - be sure to carry clothes that cover their knee and acer. Don't put on a hat in the town during your holiday in Fiji.

Galoa has no phones for the general population - the closest telephone is in Lekutu on Vanua Levu - which is a good 20 min by ferry. In Galoa, you will be admitted to the Fellowship from the minute you enter the town. In real Fiji times you can take part in folk traditions such as kava at the " ni so qo " (or the large parish hall), dance and sing as well as swim in the ocean, snorkel on the coral riff, explore the beach or relax.

You can not only go angling in the water for a small part of the cost you are paying for angling tours organized by travel agencies, but you can also take part in "feeding the sharks" - and activities you have to see to believe. Picture right: Camera shot at the canal in front of Galoa - fishes can be seen everywhere.

It' s important to keep in mind that the "man is boss" in the local Fiji tradition, so you will find the villagers who do all the housework, preparing food, etc... Villagers are welcome to join the cuisine, wash etc.... but this is completely voluntary, although you will be happy to chat with the girls about their Galoa outings.

Catering, laundry etc. will be provided by the local girls - and these expenses are contained in the overnight expenses. They are also welcome to join the men to observe their old-fashioned cultivation methods along the street or to take part in their cultivation of kava, a kind of mashed potatoes, and a huge mould of sparkling white asparagus called Dromo-Dromo.

Again, you are supposed to just sit back and do what you want, but for those who want to take a leap back into the past, this is an memorable event that is well deserving of consideration. It is their shared wish to stay a few nights in a Filipino schoolroom. As a schoolteacher at a native language institute, Judith and skilled Galoa based instructors are welcome to share some quality classes with Judith.

Picture right: The whole Galoa training group. Kids could also like to hang out with the Fiji kids in their classroom to see how the Fiji teacher does his work - this is also completely voluntary - one thing is for sure, there is no lack of activity for the class!

The locals all talk English while the Galoa Fiji language is used. Fiji general greetings can be found here). The Galoa is the ultimative backpacking-adventory. You' ll find yourself in a secure setting, welcome to a welcoming fellowship right from the start, but have a nature play area to discover on the island.

Coming to Galoa, there is a very basic tradition that you can take part in. During a Kava ceremonial, the inhabitants of the villages meet in their parishhouse. You will be welcomed by an eldest from the town and the man or speaker of your group will give a brief talk at that point and give the town a small present (e.g. 1 kg of kava in powder form - that costs about F$20 or US$10).

A large wood drums is often used to draw the villagers' attention to festivals, worship and other communal events. Payment will be arranged directly with Disele upon your arriving in Galoa. Do not give your bank card to the local people as they do not have such bank accounts - money is royal.

On the way to Galoa there are many ATMs - they are located in Nadi, Lautoka, Sigatoka, Pacific Harbour, Savu Savu and Suva. Presents and community funds: When you have childrens, consider fetching a present of a rugby game, tenissballs, croquet equipment, ballons etc for the village...a great icebreaker and your childrens will have a great case.

We also have a rural foundation, which was established at the wish of former visitors. Dorffonds is donated by visitors, but it is important to know that the donation is optional and not from you. Funding is managed by the community without any outside interference.

Microfinance - a microfinance facility that finances small businesses that want to start people or groups of people in each town. Recipients have a moral obligation to give the cash back as soon as they start to earn an incomes from their business so that the cash can be reused to help someone else in the town.

In your guesthouse in the town there is a placard where you can learn more about the village's finances or you can talk about them with your family.