– The Barefoot
Lodge is located on Drawaqa Island (GPS location
between 17.10.76S – 17.09.87S and 177.11.42E – 177.11.52E).
Drawaqa is a volcanic Island composed of granite & volcanic
extrusion with an overlay of accumulated sand.
It is a small island lying immediately south of
Naviti Island and north of Nanuya Balalavu Islands
in the Yasawa chain of islands northwest of the
main island. The Drawaqa island walking trail offers
stunning views of the surrounding coral reefs.
It is a mildly elevated climb and trek along the
western edge of the island and in some areas follows
goat tracks cut into the hillside. Organised departures
are escorted by a local guide, highlighting the
native flora and fauna. If you would like to explore
the island by yourself on foot, by kayak or snorkel,
please notify the Lodge Manager with your anticipated
route and return time before leaving the Lodge.
– Light casual clothes,
swimwear, a light sweater or spray jacket, sun
hat, a sulu (sarong), sunglasses
(Polaroid), sandals and reef walking shoes/sand
shoes for shore excursions. Fijians dress modestly.
Revealing
clothing is not accepted in public places, so
please cover your shoulders and knees with your
bula shirt and
sulu/sarong when visiting villages.
– When in the tropics drink plenty
of water to avoid dehydration. The water onboard Spirit
of the Pacific and from the taps at the Barefoot Lodge
is fresh, free and suitable for drinking. Bottled Fiji
water is available for purchase and is known around the
world for its freshness & delightfully refreshing
taste. Coffee & tea is also supplied free to our
guests with either biscuits or freshly baked cakes served
at our morning or afternoon tea breaks.
- The Barefoot Lodge has 20 beachside sleeping
bures, one large meeting bure, communal toilets & showers
(cool fresh water only) and tropical garden nursery.
There is no electricity in the bures.
"
A" 's are as long as in master
"
E" 's are as long as in pet
"
I" 's are spoken "e" as in beef: (eg Viti
/ Vee-tee)
"
O" 's are as long as in or
"
U" 's are as long as in Lucy
"
B" is "mb" as in member
"
D" is "nd" as in candy: (eg Nadi / Nandee)
"
Q" is "ng" as in hunger (eg Drawaqa /
Drarwongar)
"
C" is "th" as in them: (eg Mamanuca /
Mam-man-oo-thar)
"
G" is "ng" as in sing
Greetings or hello ni sa bula / nee sar mbul-ar
Thank you or good vinaka / vee nar-kar
Goodbye ni sa moce / nee sar mor-thay (formal style)
moce / mor-thay (informal)
– Guests at the Barefoot Lodge have
the opportunity to assist in making Drawaqa Island a
self sufficient island paradise by participating in morning
planting activities for our tropical garden nursery.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are being planted and examples
include: 3 types of banana, 3 types of native tapioca,
pawpaw, coconut, breadfruit, watermelon, pineapple and
pumpkin.
- Spirit of the Pacific carries a range items
such as film, postcards, drink coolers and basic personal
items such as UV suncream (30+), lip balm, insect repellant
and salve, toothpaste and deodorant.
- Guests enjoy complimentary
use of kayaks and the sailboat at Barefoot Lodge. Please
advise the Lodge Manager beforehand of your intended
use of these craft so that we can ensure your safety
and pleasure.
- Guests are asked to minimise clothes washing
on the island due to scarcity of water. There are no
laundry facilities.
– The Sailing Safari is a camping style
holiday so meals are very casual. Breakfast usually includes
cereals, fruit, toast and spreads. During the day lunch
can vary from salads and cold meat, to Fijian style curries
to hearty toasted sandwiches. Dinners alternate between
barbeques, buffets and traditional lovo feasts. All meals
are prepared for you.
- The ships/Lodge’s crew does not include
a doctor, however the Ship’s Officers are trained
in First Aid. There is no pharmacy at the Lodge so please
ensure you bring adequate prescription medicines you
may require. There are nurses based in the Yasawa Islands
and hospitals are up to two hours away by air.
- The guests warrant that
they are physically fit and capable of undertaking the
cruise. A certificate of fitness of travel by your doctor
is required for passengers over 75 years of age and/or
passengers with limited mobility. This product is unsuitable
for children under 12 years of age. For full details
please refer to the Passenger Cruise Contract.
– We regret there is no money exchanges
facilities available at the Lodge. Please ensure you
bring small denomination Fijian money for handicraft
markets.
- Tickets are issued subject
to the terms and conditions of the Passengers Cruise
Contract.
- The Lodge has a low impact policy. Where possible
our aim is to; preserve the natural environment; maintain
an authentic Fijian experience; and replace 21st Century
noise with the silence of the stars. The Barefoot Lodge
operates on very limited power sources. Energy efficient
systems are used to blend with the nature environment
wherever possible and there is no electricity in the
bures. Personal torches are provided to each guest.
– The ship sets a new course every day
with hundreds of remote islands, reefs, traditional island
villages and caves to explore. Spirit of the Pacific’s
sailing schedule is flexible and dependant upon the prevailing
sea, wind and weather conditions. Subject to these conditions
we modify your itinerary to provide a combination of
sailing, island and cultural experiences. If there is
no wind, Spirit motors with sail trim to tropical and
exotic locations.
– Below deck areas on Spirit of
the Pacific and the sleeping bures at the Barefoot Lodge
are designated as "Non-Smoking". For everyone's
comfort & safety we ask you not to smoke in these
areas. You may smoke on the open deck. As a courtesy
to your fellow passengers, please refrain from smoking
pipes and cigars. Cigarettes are not sold at the Lodge
or onboard. Please dispose of all cigarette butts thoughtfully
and use the bins provided.
– Fiji’s tropical
waters have a high saline content with tides that range
from 1.9m (high) and 0.3m (low). Fins, masks and snorkels
will be issued free of charge to each passenger for the
duration of the sailing safari. You will be asked to
sign a bond of F$100 to cover non return of equipment.
Snorkelling off Barefoot Lodge is some of the best in
Fiji with brilliant reef fish and corals. The large shoals
of plankton that arrive seasonally also attract Manta
Rays to the waters directly off Barefoot Lodge.
- Passengers requiring special meals should
advise the Company in writing at least two weeks prior
to sailing.
– Whilst at the Lodge you may pass
urgent messages only by marine radio phone. The island
has no permanent telephone communication system in place.
Mobile phone coverage is patchy – some work, some
do not. Some guests have advised that a Fijian Vodaphone
sim card purchased in Nadi prior to departure works best,
however these are not compatible with all phones and
cannot be guaranteed.
- Tipping is always a personal matter and depends
on whether you have enjoyed the service you receive.
As a general rule, tipping is not necessary.
– Please bring your own towel. Towels can
also be hired from the Lodge Manager for FJ$5 (a deposit
of approx FJ$20.00 is required at time of issue and FJ$15
is returned upon return of the towel).
– Please keep valuables to a minimum
and do not leave valuables in your bure. Valuables may
be lodged with the Lodge Manager for safe keeping however
Captain Cook Cruises accepts no liability. Please remember
the Fijian culture is an enormously friendly and sharing
one. To avoid any cultural misunderstanding, if you lend
or show an item to a Fijian national, please politely
ask for it back should it not be returned immediately.
- A warm tropical climate, generally cooler
and dryer from April - October. Temperature ranges from
20-28 degrees Celsius. November to March is usually wetter
with a temperature range 24-32 degrees Celsius.
