LOCAL GETAWAYS | A peaceful getaway at Dawasamu

The Eve Eco Retreat and Homestay is a peaceful community-based getaway located in Silana Village on the Dawasamu coast of North Tailevu.

Silana Village is about 30 minutes from Queen Victoria School and a short drive from Korovou town.

Visitors can travel by bus or private vehicle to Korovou, then continue by local transport to the village, which is accessible yet peacefully secluded along the coast.

Nestled among the area’s famous black sands, the retreat offered visitors an authentic Fijian homestay experience and a true home away from home.

Surrounded by natural beauty and supported by a close-knit village community, the retreat reflected both cultural pride and a commitment to sustainable tourism.

Director and owner Marica Bole shared that the business had been established primarily to support her family and create additional income for her village.

She shared that they had started operating two-to-three years earlier after recognising an opportunity to accommodate guests visiting the village through a non-government organisation that regularly brought in students from overseas.

Mrs Bole stated the business was established to help her family and earn an extra income.

“We started operating about three years ago when students from other countries began coming to the village through a non-government organisation,” she said.

Seeing the steady arrival of visitors, she believed opening a homestay would benefit not only her household, but the wider community as well.

She emphasised that the initiative also aimed to empower women in the village.

“Most women think staying in the village won’t bring in money, but by making use of the resources around us, we can gain more than we could think of.”

Mrs Bole believed that natural resources, traditional skills, and cultural knowledge held untapped economic potential.

By transforming everyday village life into meaningful visitor experiences, she demonstrated that rural living could generate sustainable income.

She also highlighted that the retreat itself was built in the style of a traditional Fijian bure.

She had intentionally chosen this design to preserve authenticity and showcase Fijian culture.

“I wanted the bure to portray our way of life as Fijians to the foreigners who visit us.”

Because the lodge was located near her family home within the village, she felt it was important to maintain its traditional appearance and atmosphere.

“Since the lodge is near my home, it was best to build the bure and maintain it that way.”

“Guests who stayed at the retreat experienced a wide range of cultural and nature-based activities.”

Among the highlights were dolphin watching excursions in the pristine Bligh Waters, snorkeling among vibrant marine life, bamboo rafting along winding rivers, fishing trips with skilled local fishermen, guided hikes through scenic landscapes, and traditional weaving lessons.

Mrs Bole shared visitors were also invited to participate in everyday village practices such as scraping coconuts and preparing local meals.

“Food played an important role in the guest experience.”

“Meals were prepared using fresh, local ingredients, including fruits harvested directly from village plantations.”

Traditional lovo feasts were often served, allowing guests to taste authentic Fijian cuisine.

“We prepare Fijian delicacies for our guests, including fruits from our plantation and lovo.”

She also encouraged hands-on participation, adding that many of their foreign guests are new to these practices, so they let them learn and experience how to prepare lovo themselves.

Through online advertising, the homestay gradually attracted guests from around the world, as well as local visitors seeking weekend getaways.

Mrs Bole mentioned that some local companies even booked the retreat for corporate gatherings and retreats.

She said through online advertising, they were able to gain guests from around the world and even locals who wanted a relaxing weekend.

“The growing interest demonstrated that travelers were seeking immersive, culturally rich experiences rather than conventional resorts.”

Mrs Bole expressed gratitude for the positive feedback she had received from guests.

“Guests give us amazing feedback about their stay, and I am grateful that I could be a good host.”

She said their appreciation reinforced her belief that authentic hospitality and community involvement were key to the retreat’s success.

Beyond financial benefits, the retreat also supported environmental protection and sustainable tourism.

Mrs Bole explained that if guests found it difficult to get to the village, she would arrange transportation through Unravel Viti Tours.

“This service ensured convenient pickups and drop-offs, making their journey to and from the village smooth and hassle-free.”

By operating on a small, community-based scale, the homestay aimed to preserve the pristine surroundings of Silana for future generations.

Income generated from tourism circulated within the village, helping families while encouraging conservation of natural resources.

At Eve Eco Retreat and Homestay, Marica also included mangrove planting along the coast as part of the guest experience.

She said this activity encouraged visitors to actively care for the environment, helping them understand the importance of conservation while contributing to the protection of the village’s coastal ecosystem.

“For those who seek a weekend of relaxation and want to enjoy nature, Eve Eco Retreat and Homestay is the place to be.”

The retreat serve as more than just an accommodation, it represents empowerment, cultural preservation, and sustainable livelihood.

Through determination and community spirit, Mrs Bole demonstrated that village-based tourism could create meaningful opportunities while sharing the beauty and traditions of Fiji with the world.