Fantastic Fun In Fiji
June 12, 2025
When realizing it was already time for a trip update Alex and I were shocked! This trip is flying by so fast. We have already been able to participate in some of the most incredible experiences and we are only halfway done! This group of students is so kind, fun, and full of curiosity for everything we do. To kick off the trip, we began the first few days with cultural immersion staying in huts in two different villages. Fijian culture is beautiful and distinct so being able to experience this all together has been very special. Night one was Austin’s 16th birthday which was celebrated by an opening ceremony in the Draiba Village followed by cake back at the dining hut. He looked fly in his Bula Shirt! Before playing a lot of games in Draiba with the village kids, our guide Semi showed us the surrounding farms– watermelon, papaya, banana, mandarin and a local delight called cassava, which is a lot like a potato. Catherine had planted the stems in perfectly, just as Semi instructed in his program. After walking over to the village, we played games with the children including duck duck goose, while also singing a silly children’s dance song that had all of us busting out our moves, a village favorite which Hill and Emory starred in. An intense game of rugby was in the works as well, with Beckett showing off his wheels and impressing the Fijians at their own game. The food in these villages were incredible and John would agree as the runner up of the dinner plate competition (behind our guide Semi). So much cake, OJ, fish curry and fruit! After we said a sad goodbye to the Draiba village during a swim in the Sigatoka river, we had a bonfire back at the campsite. The next morning we walked down to the river to hop in kayaks for our journey to the Tuvu village. Each time you visit a new village it is custom and respectful in the Fijian culture to participate in a welcome ceremony that most of the village attends. Within this ceremony there are songs sung by the elders and a a lot of good food. Everyone loved getting to be a part of such an intimate community gathering and the students felt very immersed and welcomed by the Tuvu village! After participating in the farewell ceremony with the Tuvu villagers, our group grabbed our paddles and kayaked to our next stop, the Naihehe cave. I don’t know if Kenzie or the villagers were more sad to see each other go. The champion kayak team, Jack and Michael maintained their lead for the entire duration of the day. This specific location in Fiji is very sacred to the culture as it contains important history from the early 1870s as Fiji was transitioning to a Christian country. This history stop was a cool change of pace and all of the students, especially Dustin, mentioned the history to be really interesting. After the cave stop we had yet another amazing lunch spread with an incredible view and even better company. Each day for lunch we’ve had delicious sandwiches with fresh fruit on the side; this area is known for its Papaya and now we know why! After all of the wonderful kayaking with our great outfitters, we headed to Fiji Beach House to begin the next section of our trip. Everyone was very happy that we got the chance to see all of the villages at the beginning of our trip because it gave the students an insight into the true Fijian culture. Today we had an early morning with a beautiful sunrise shining through our windows as we headed to our rafting day. We spent most of the day floating down the Navua river that runs through the Green Canyon. As a majority of the river was a calm and relaxing current, we had some fun rapids thrown in there as well. The highlight of the day was the raft wars, in which Gracie took charge and asserted herself at the front of each attack. We stopped for another wonderful lunch spread right by a pretty stream of water that glistened in the afternoon sun. Our group refueled, jumped off a nearby rock to cool off and hit the river to finish the rest of our route. Shoutout to Amara for taking that playful surprise attack from the guide! Once we got back to the bus, the long sunny day of rafting got to everyone and each person slept the whole ride back to the beach house! We took the afternoon to relax and unwind, taking in the past few days that we have had. The students hung out on the beach during sunset, laid in the hammock sand played a round of nukem volleyball. We all got together for dinner, another wonderful meal thanks to Fiji Beach House. Following dinner we played a few rounds of pool, cards, and did our Moonup. Tomorrow morning the group is getting up early to hit the ocean and catch some waves. Overall, this trip has been very eye opening. Beginning within the Fijian villages allowed the students to get a taste (literally) of what the culture here is all about. Now for the rest of the time in Fiji, we’ll be out of the mountains and in the ocean!
Shoutouts:
John: Hey Dad wanted to wish you a happy Father’s Day I hope that everything is alright at home. Love you
Dustin: Hello mom and dad I’m having such a great time here in Fiji our group is super fun and the villages we stayed at were very cool to immerse yourself in the culture. We have white water rafted which was very cool with great scenery. I’m excited to surf and scuba the next week. Happy Father’s Day. Love y’all.
Austin: Bula mom and dad I’m having so much fun, and I have made many new friends, I can’t wait to see you and I’m enjoying my time in Fiji. Also happy Father’s Day dad I miss you so much and hope you have a great time golfing.
Michael: hey father hey mother I’m having so much fun and can’t wait to see you father happy Father’s Day I’ve slept very well and eating a lot I have made a bunch of friends. I miss you so much hope to see you soon
Beckett: hey mom and dad I miss yall so much and hope you are having a blast in Italy. Fiji has been so fun I’ve learned a lot about the culture and met a bunch of people in different villages I’ve also learned A lil of the language. Today we went rafting and it was insane and super beautiful I think yall would love it here. See you soon and happy Fathers Day, Beckett.
Jack: Hey mom and dad and Eleanor! Fiji has been incredible so far and everyone is so nice. We have been to lots of villages! We went white water rafting today and tomorrow we’re going surfing. I miss yall so much and happy fathers day dad! Love yall, Jack
Gracie: hi mommy and kk, Fiji has been a blast. I have met so many amazing people and have made great memories so far. Happy Father’s Day kk I hope you guys have had fun. Tell Shelby I say hi. I miss and love yall. Xoxo bug
Kenzie: Hey mom and pa life is good trip has been so fun also HAPPY FATHERS Day love all the people the girls are so sweet love u all sm!!!!
Catherine: Hi mom and dad! Fiji has been so fun and everyone is super sweet. I love and miss y’all so much and can’t wait to see you. Happy Father’s Day! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. I can’t wait to tell you all about my trip when I get back. Tell Chad and Lauren that I love and miss them. Love, Catherine.
Amara: BULAAAA mom and dad i miss you so much and im having a lot of fun so much sun! Happy Father’s day. I miss you so much. Hope you’re having fun in Africa. Love you sooooo much!! Love Amara
Emory: Hi mom and dad!! Love you so so much and am so thankful that you sent me on this trip. My group is amazing and we’ve been having so much fun. Graysen and I love Fiji! Love you so so much and happy Fathers Dayy!!
Hill: hi mommy and daddy! I am having so so much fun in Fiji but i miss you so much. We have been in villages, kayaking, and rafting but the village is definitely my favorite. Everyone here is so so sweet and my group has been so nice. I am so so thankful y’all give me opportunities like this and I love yall so so much! Also daddy makes sure mommy gives you a fathers day card. Tell everyone I say hi and I love them- hilly
All Students Have Arrived!
June 8, 2025
Hi Fiji Families!
All students have officially arrived in Fiji and the group has been reunited! We are so glad that the entire group is all together, and we can’t wait for them to start their activities. We’ll be posting more trip updates throughout the session!
-Moondance HQ
The Adventure Begins!
June 7, 2025
Hello Fiji Families!
We heard from our leaders this morning that most of the group has landed safely in Fiji! Unfortunately, due to travel delays, three students, along with Kaylie, will be arriving soon and will be reunited with Alex and the rest of the group upon their arrival. The group is so excited to start their journey all together!
Please remember our leaders and students will be unplugged during their trips, but we will be posting trip updates throughout the next week! This will allow you to follow along with the trip. You can also follow us on Instagram, @moondanceadventures, to see more of what we are up to!
-Moondance HQ
