Written by Laura Griffith

Coral reefs are on track to be the first of the world’s ecosystems to be entirely wiped out by humans. Some scientists estimate that reefs will have disappeared as soon as 2050 – many calculate atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration is already above…

Written by Laura Griffith

What attracts visitors to Fiji is not only its beauty and beaches on land, but also what can be seen below Fiji’s warm South Pacific Ocean, as I was yet to discover!

There is a wide variety of life in Fiji’s waters, including dolphins, sea…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Published in the Fiji Times on the day after Fiji won the Olympic Gold in Rugby Sevens:

As Fiji’s big stars proudly stride forward in full swing showing their best at the Olympics, there is a whole galaxy out there doing amazing things in this strong, resilient,…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Fiji celebrates World Tourism Day as a Democracy once more – rejoice!

Although this may seem a tenuous link; the fact that today the Fijian tourism industry is experiencing World Tourism Day as a democratic country once more is something to be very much celebrated. The focus…

Written by Kylie Barton

Our increasing taste for seafood is one of the most environmentally damaging trends of the 21^st century. Aquaculture, has the potential to help limit food poverty and create food security in some of the world’s poorest nations, but only if it is undertaken in a sustainable,…

Written by Kylie Barton

Countless research has demonstrated that societies with the least material prosperity are often richest in terms of happiness, community spirit, and general emotional well being. So is ‘development’ in the way the term is most often used actually desirable?

We at Island Spirit ask this question as…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Tadra Womens Arts and Crafts Project, Taveuni is now officially under the Island Spirit umbrella and will soon be supported by a AusAid volunteer.

3% of each guests Island Spirit escape will go straight into the fund for this project – that equates to at least $USD32…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

A Poem

Palm trees sway and chatter in the blue shadowy night.

As my gently clattering bicycle and I ascend the hill,

We lean on each other like old friends.

The summit reached and saddle filled,

Slowly I pick up speed as warm, island air strokes my coconut scented skin.

The moon,…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Monday

We collected 100 crown-of-thorns from the pearl farm. I spotted a banded sea snake which are poisonous if they bite you but their mouths are small so they can only bite your earlobe or skin between your thumb and forefinger! As I watched come out of…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Monday 13th May

• VESA arrive on Taveuni and start to use Beverleys as their project site.
• I start researching new coral gardening locations to add to the outer reef of Beverleys.
• On one of out trips to the inner reef between two stunning islands not far…
  

Written by Kirsty Barnby

We are excited to announce a new Optional Activity from Island Spirit …. drum roll please… Horse Riding!

One of the villages I work with has eight lovely horses. Most are bush stallions but four are ridable. I say rideable in the loosest sense of the word!…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

A new trip in the making

25 – 27^th March 2013

I took two friends to see our tour guide’s island with their own eyes. We were testing out two new locations for a back-to-basics island…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Shark facts for y’all!

• Sharks are shy, hesitant animals which have a hard time like any other.
• Soda pop machine kill more people in a year than sharks do.
• Road traffic accidents kill 1,200,000. Sharks kill about 5 people per year.
• Elephants kill more people than sharks.

…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Island Spirit is proud to be partnered with Waitabu Village and Marine Park. Here’s a little more about the village and it’s renowned Marine Park. A paper called: “Sacred Water”; 10 years of community managed marine protection supported by ecotourism-based income generation at Waitabu Marine Park, Fiji Islands. Gives a…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

We help people organise adventure holidays on Taveuni, Fiji. We take real pleasure in helping people find the best adventure for their dates, budget and appetite for adventure.

There are all sorts of possibilities to explore, but sometimes finding practical information about getting to Taveuni and even…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

We turn right under the mango tree and bump our way slowly past the corrugated shed, known as the virgin coconut factory, along a tiny track until we reach the end.

The verges are lush, green manicured grass beyond which the undergrowth is having some kind of…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

I did a little presentation to a group students and guests at Daku Resort, Savu Savu, Vanua Levu, Fiji this week.

It was a last minute request and I ended up with a dog as an onscreen companion instead of any fancy slides. (Note to self -…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Coconuts trees stand in unison quietly. One side of their tall, lean trunks are glowing orange as the afternoon sun continues to slow-roast them. I…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Cocktails in coconut shells? More like kava in coconut shells. I’ve got myself a bit of a reputation for being the kava queen wherever I go and drink with the locals because I am one of few women who enjoy drinking it and can stay up for hours chatting…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

Island Spirit joins with the Honour Fiji Journey

This collaboration came about after meeting the Director of the Honour Fiji Journey and feeling the we had similar goals. Island Spirit facilitated the groups activities whilst they were staying…

Written by Kirsty Barnby

This evening I have admired the fat fruit bats as they wake up, unpacked my goodies, shooed a mouse out of my bread bag, cooked a thai meal, scared myself that someone else was under the bed, written this, talked to the dog, thought about life…