What to Pack

Essentials

• Daypack
• Filtered water bottle (although the villages now have water filters in every home)
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Towel/s (consider microfiber; 1 x swimming & 1 x bathing)
• Hand sanitiser
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Any personal medical supplies (ensure any prescription medications are labelled, and meet Fijian regulations. Consider a doctors certificate listing all prescription medications)
• Cash for school/church visit (~FJ$5-10)
• Toiletries
• Rain jacket
• Hiking sandals or closed-toe shoes
• Swimwear (not to be used in the village)
• Sulu or long skirt (to cover knees) – sulu can be bought in Fiji for ~FJ$10 or pocket sulu (for men) for ~FJ$15-20
• Conservative t-shirts (both men and women must cover shoulders)
• Minimum 1 x smart shirt/dress for formal ceremonies
• Homestay gift (see below)
• Mobile phone (Vodafone reception is good in the villages)

Optionals

• Portable battery pack
• Silk liner and pillow case
• Cash to purchase additional items in the village, eg. Kava (FJ$100/kg)

Homestay Gift Suggestions

It is customary to bring a gift to your homestay family. This list is not meant to be exhaustive. Suggestions include:

• First aid supplies, for example;
  • Neosporin
  • Band-Aids/plasters
  • Ibuprofen
• Soap
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Prescription glasses (varying strengths useful but +1.5 is common)
• Sunglasses (preferably polarized)
• T-shirt or special souvenir from your hometown
• Small toys
• Colouring books
• Ball for the school (volleyball, soccer, rugby)
• Gardening tools
• Diving/fishing tools
• Stationary
• Books (new or gently used)