Fiji's Ancient Seafarers Dr. Patrick D. Nunn - Earthwatch Institute

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appreciate volunteers offering to help with household chores. If you accept an offer to have your laundry done, be prepared to pay about US$15 per week for this. Most houses in Vusama have outside bathing facilities which consist of a brick-walled or iron-sided cubicle with a bucket that can be filled with water from the well. Hot water will not be readily available, but the weather is so warm in January-February (summer in Fiji) that it is not usually necessary. There are no flush toilets. Generally pit toilets contained in small cubicles of corrugated iron are located 20 yards or so from houses. Toilet paper is not usually supplied so you are advised to bring some with you. Vusama has electricity and some (but certainly not all) homes have modern amenities such as televisions, although electric outlets are not abundant. Villagers are conscious of electricity costs so it should only be used sparingly (e.g. for charging phones and camera batteries). The voltage (240) and plugs are the same as used in Australia and New Zealand; you are advised to bring surge protectors and adapters with you. In general, Vusama is a clean, well-run village but its standard of cleanliness may still be below what you’re accustomed to. Cockroaches are occasionally seen, and you should keep any food in an airtight container in your bag. Geckoes (small lizards) are found in every house, but these are harmless. Mosquitoes may be an annoyance, especially on calm nights, but mosquito nets are available and mosquito coils can be purchased in the nearest shop (about 10 minutes’ drive from the village). On a typical research day, volunteers will travel from the houses in Vusama to the research site in the back of a small pickup truck. There will be bench seats in the back of the truck with a canopy overhead and the journey is typically 10 minutes each way. 8. FOOD Most people consider the food provided during this expedition to be delicious and highly varied. Villagers will prepare breakfasts and dinners for the team, served in the Vusama Community Hall. Afternoon tea will be served at 5:15 pm in the hall. Most dinners involve a range of seafood served in different ways, with vegetables and root crops. Please note that meals are served on a low table (approximately four inches off the floor) and volunteers and staff will sit cross-legged on the floor while eating. The villagers will also prepare lunches for the team to take and eat in the field during research days. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated. Milk and butter are generally absent from meals (they are expensive), as are a range of Western foods. Tea (without milk) will be served frequently. Sunday lunch is generally a feast, while Sunday dinner is lighter than normal. Refrigeration is largely non-existent in the village, although one or two private homes have small refrigerators. There are two shops near Vusama that sell a very limited range of products. You may not have access to any other shops during the expedition. Therefore, you may want to bring an airtight container to fill with your favorite snacks before leaving for Vusama. Smokers might want to purchase duty-free tobacco, but be prepared to be asked for cigarettes; most males in Vusama smoke. 11
Below are examples of the foods you might expect during your expedition. Please bear in mind that variety depends on availability. This list is intended to provide a general idea of food types, but it is very important that volunteers be flexible. Breakfast: Cakes, scones, pancakes, jam, papaya, bananas Lunch: Sandwiches, curry-filled pancakes, cassava, fried fish Dinner: Various seafood and vegetable dishes, and other dishes (perhaps sausages, rice or noodles) with root crops like taro, yams, and cassava Afternoon tea: Tea (without milk), scones, custard pie Snacks: Bring your own (be sure to keep in an airtight container); other team members will bring their own snacks to share as well, such as packets of biscuits/cookies (Fiji is home to several biscuit manufacturers) or Indian savories like mixed bhuja or beans/peas Beverages: Fruit juice, tea (coffee is not available, but you can bring a jar with you and make it at breakfast if you wish), water from the village water tank* *Each day you will be provided with treated water from the village’s new water tank. This water has a slight taste that volunteers may not be accustomed to, so you may wish to bring powdered drink mixes to conceal the taste. The team will also stop on the way to the field site at the start of the expedition if you would prefer to purchase a carton of Fiji Water (US$0.80 per liter) for your stay in the village. It is important to stay hydrated. The recommended minimum for the two-week expedition is 20 liters per person. Special Dietary Requirements Please alert your Earthwatch Expedition Coordinator to any special dietary requirements as soon as possible (e.g. diabetic, lactose intolerant, etc.). Accommodating special diets is not guaranteed and can be very difficult due to availability, location and local conditions. Special note to vegans and strict vegetarians: While vegetable dishes are generally available for every main meal, please be aware that it is often difficult to accommodate strict vegetarians and vegans. Advance notice will enable the team to better meet your needs, so please alert your Earthwatch Expedition Coordinator at least two weeks prior to your expedition. It may be possible to get meatless meals but vegans and strict vegetarians may have a problem avoiding animal products altogether. If this poses a problem, then participation on this Earthwatch expedition should be seriously reconsidered. 12
Page 1 and 2: 2009 Earthwatch. 2009 EXPEDITION BR
Page 3 and 4: Dear Earthwatcher, Welcome to Earth
Page 5 and 6: Fiji’s Ancient Seafarers Table of
Page 7 and 8: VOLUNTEER FORMS All Earthwatch expe
Page 9 and 10: THE EXPEDITION 1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
Page 11 and 12: 3. PROJECT STAFF Principal Investig
Page 13 and 14: DAILY LIFE IN THE FIELD 4. VOLUNTEE
Page 15: Days 9-14 (Monday-Saturday) These d
Page 19 and 20: closely and in the event that the s
Page 21 and 22: 10. PROJECT CONDITIONS Please show
Page 23 and 24: 11. HEALTH INFORMATION See www.inte
Page 25 and 26: Essential Items Make sure to bring
Page 27 and 28: • STA Travel (UK): http://www.sta
Page 29 and 30: The earliest occupation at Bourewa
Page 31 and 32: Objective 5: Excavate cave sediment
Page 33 and 34: Nunn, P.D. 2005. Reconstructing tro
Page 35: Personal Supplies Note: Linens and

Fiji's Ancient Seafarers Dr. Patrick D. Nunn - Earthwatch Institute

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