Safe Landing Eco Lodge
Experiential Travel and Artist-in-Residence Opportunity
Safe Landing Eco Lodge is a family-run resort located on Nacula Island, which is part of the Yasawa Island chain in Fiji. They have been hosting guests on their property for over forty years, building and adding amenities throughout the decades. This is not a fancy resort, but rather a very laidback, ‘glamping’ kind of place. Perfect for relaxation and inspiration.
There are 13 bungalows on the property along with a dorm. The greatest number of guests they can accommodate is 35 at one time.
To learn more about Safe Landing Eco Lodge visit their website.
About the Residency
The Artist-in-Residence program will give songwriters/visual-artists the opportunity to live and work outside of their usual environments, providing them with time to reflect, research, or produce work.
Along with doing your own work, you will be required to participate in the ongoing life of the Lodge. In exchange for free room and board, you will give the gift of music to guests in the evenings after dinner. This can be formal, like a show with your own material, or casual, with sing-alongs right at the dinner table, or a combination of the two.
You are allowed to bring one guest. If you bring a creative partner, they too, will be expected to contribute artistically to the betterment of the Lodge. If your partner is neither musician or artist, they can also choose to assist the staff in daily maintenance around the property (housekeeping, yard work, beach clean up, laundry, etc.), bring supplies that will benefit the village community, school, or Lodge (clothes, school and art supplies, tools), *or pay for their lodging and meals and just relax on the beach. Bring all your talents and gifts on this trip!
The estimated 2020 rate is less than $30 US per night. Breakfast is included, lunch and dinner cost approx. $10 US per meal.
Interaction with staff and guests during the day is highly encouraged but is built around your schedule. Many of the staff play guitar and love to jam and receive guitar lessons. Occasionally, guests are musicians and songwriters as well, so as the resident songwriter/artist, it would be a privilege for them to meet with you for conversation, feedback and general curiosity.
Creative arts are highly encouraged. If you or your creative partner are also visual artists, exercise your creativity around the Lodge. Paint a tree, a mural, make beach and sand art, do water colours, and engage guests whenever possible. Note that you need to bring your own art supplies – and are encouraged to gift them when you leave.
Schedule
This is a four-week program, starting at the beginning of each month. If you are selected for this residency, you will be required to arrive and leave on the dates for which you are scheduled. Travel time can be built into the four-week period.
Lodging
Room and board is *free for up to two people, so your spouse or creative partner can share in this experience with you. All of your meals are included. Alcohol is not included.
During your residency, you will live in a private bungalow equipped with shower, toilet, sink and counter space. Most bungalows have a double and single bed, dresser and closet. Linens and towels are included. The staff will help with your laundry.
Instruments
The Lodge has three working guitars and a soprano ukulele on the property, one of which will be available for your use. Two entry level Fenders, and one hybrid local brand, all with decent action. With the intense humidity, the strings tarnish quickly, so you will want to bring a few sets with you. There is no keyboard or piano. If you would like to donate an instrument to the Lodge, they would be happy to accept. There is a working PA system that needs some TLC. Donations of microphones, xlr cords, mic stands, patch cords, lighting, capos, etc, would be greatly appreciated.
Meals
The Lodge prepares one menu per meal and most is Fijian cuisine. They do accommodate special diets, but if you have really specific needs, you should bring in your own food. The Lodge can only refrigerate small amounts of food for you, so it is best to bring canned or dried food. There are no kitchen privileges, but the staff will be very helpful in preparing your meals. (Note: Fijian’s have a high carb diet – lots of bread, rice, fruit – and also lots of fresh fish).
There is a small store on a neighboring island, which carries water, some canned goods, snacks and some toiletries. The Lodge offers snacks and water too, but often run out. They usually have beer and wine, but occasionally run out of that too. When you’re in Nadi, stock up.
Drinking Water
Water in the Bungalows is for washing only – do not drink or brush teeth. The drinking water provided by the Lodge is rainwater, which is collected in cisterns – not filtered. If you know you have a sensitive tummy, bring your own drinking water, or a filtering system.
Electricity and Wifi
Safe Landing uses generated and solar power, which are only available from 6pm in the evening until 6am. Charge your devices accordingly, and bring batteries for daytime charging. Wifi signal is available and works well in the community building, but not in the bungalows. Purchasing a vodaphone sim card in Nadi seems to be an option that many guests choose, as the signal is strong on the island.
Weather
Fiji has one season – summer. It is generally always in the mid 80’s with high humidity. There is periodic rain, mostly at night, and often a nice breeze.
Health
Mosquitos are tiny and plentiful late afternoons and early evening. There have been cases of Zika Virus in Fiji, but currently no ongoing outbreaks. Malaria and rabies are not a threat in Fiji. Take necessary precautions, especially if pregnant.
There is a small clinic and doctor on the island, accessible by water taxi, and the Lodge will take you there if you have a health crisis. If you have a serious emergency, a helicopter ambulance will be called from the mainland.
As with all remote travel, bring a well-equipped first aid kit and any medications you think you may need: Tylenol, ibuprofen, Imodium, antibiotic, etc.
Benefits
Everyone can benefit from an artist residency. If guests are happy, the Lodge does well, and in return, the Village will do well too. Many villagers are employed at Safe Landing. This experience will be as profound as you allow it to be, and will hopefully inspire you to create in ways you never have before.
If you’ve never had a residency before, it is a good idea to come prepared with some sort of game plan. Meditation and yoga are great add-ons to a daily writing and practice routine. Having a goal and focus will help to get you started down a productive path.
How to Get There
You are responsible for all travel expenses. Flight costs vary considerably depending on the airline and departure city, so do your homework to find the best options.
Fly to Nadi Airport (NAN) in Fiji, stay over one night in Nadi. The next morning go to Port Denarau and take the Yasawa Flyer to Safe Landing Eco Lodge on Nacula Island. Additional travel details and options can be found on the website. Remember that the travel is a big part of the adventure, and lots of inspiration can be collected on route.
About Fiji
Fiji is an island nation in the South Pacific. The country is made up of over 300 islands, of which 110 are inhabited. The two main Fijian Islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, account for 87% of the population of almost 850,000. The majority of Fiji’s islands were formed through volcanic activity.
The village at Safe Landing has a population of roughly 300. Fiji has three official languages – Fijian, English and Hindustani. English is well spoken at Safe Landing Eco Lodge.
The capital of Fiji is Suva, situated on Viti Levu. Almost three quarters of the total population live in Suva. Important towns are Nadi, which is the location of the international airport, and Lautoka, which is a large seaport.
Because of the abundance of forest, mineral and fishing resources, Fiji is one of the most developed economies in the Pacific island realm today. Natural resources include timber, fish, gold, copper and offshore oil and hydropower.
Fiji also has a significant amount of tourism with many people choosing Nadi or Denarau Island as their preferred destination. The biggest source of international visitors comes from Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
The soft coral reefs of Fiji are the main attraction but there are also many other activities for people to enjoy.
Religion
The 1997 Constitution of Fiji guarantees freedom of religion. Indigenous Fijians are mostly Christians and the Indo-Fijians are mostly Hindu and Muslim. Fiji is very multi-racial and multi-cultural. Visitors are more than welcome to join locals for Sunday worship.
Fiji Culture
The Fijian culture is a relaxed, easy-going and friendly culture however it is still important to respect their customs. When visiting a village modest clothing is recommended, as is taking off your hat (it is considered an insult to the chief to wear one). If you are invited into a home, be gracious and thank your host, and take your shoes off before entering, leaving them at the door. Take note it is also considered an insult to touch someone’s head – which is often tempting when surrounded by gorgeous children with big eyes and broad smiles. Also, be prepared to shake hands and answer personal questions like, where are you from, are you married, how many children do you have and so on.
The Fijian people are beautiful, proud and religious. They are open to sharing their rich history and traditions with guests. As an artist-in-resident, we are there to expand our horizons by immersing in their culture and not forcing our views on them.
Kava is Fiji’s most well-known social custom. If invited to try kava, don’t hesitate, just accept the offering and enjoy the unique ritual (and the unique numbing effect the drink has).
Fijians are some of the friendliest people in the world and are eager to welcome you as a guest into their villages and homes provided you respect their traditions and customs. This will provide a fascinating insight into their traditional way of life and adds a unique element of depth to your Fiji holiday.
Apply
Submit your Artist Statement to artist@moonlitpond.com
Pay $28.00 US Funds Application Fee
Your statement should include the following information:
Dates: request up to three different months that you are available for the residency.
Single or Duo: Are you applying as an individual or duo?
Songwriter’s/Artist’s Statement:
Primary Residency Candidate: Performering Musician / Songwriter / Visual Artist / Other
- What type of music do you make and where does your inspiration come from?
- Is there a particular theme(s) to your work?
- In what ways do you share your music/art?
- What social media outlets do you use?
- How do you share details of your creative process with your audience?
- What does being a songwriter/artist mean to you?
- Are you currently working on a project that would benefit from participating in this residency?
- Please provide examples of previous community involvement.
- If awarded this residency are you able to fully commit to the duration and travel costs?
- Please provide at least two References.
Please download and sign the legal waiver below and return with your application.
Important Notice:
“Moonlit Pond does not own, control, nor is it affiliated in any way with Safe Landing Eco-lodge. The Safe Landing Eco-Lodge Artist-in-Residency is offered on the Moonlit Pond website merely as a convenience to applicants and Safe Landing Eco-Lodge, and is for general information purposes only. Moonlit Pond assumes no responsibility for errors or omission in the contents of this information. This website may contain links to external websites that are not provided or maintained by or in any way affiliated with Moonlit Pond, which does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information contained on links to external websites. Applicants assume full responsibility for verifying any information directly with Safe Landing Eco-Lodge.”