Lawai Pottery Village
Lawai Pottery Village
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4.0
49 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
17
Average
9
Poor
1
Terrible
3
sheriannef
7 contributions
Jul 2022
How very sad that we were heavily pressured to donate to this village as they 'rely on tourists for their survival'. After a desultory dance performance we were led firmly by the hand around the craft tables to ensure we made purchases which were extremely expensive. We noticed the obvious discomfort of another family who arrived shortly after us. Not sure about them but we felt exploited.
Written 10 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perlissima
Sydney, Australia20 contributions
Aug 2022
I found it was perhaps my most authentic experience in Fiji. The potters are all able to take pride in their traditional ways and women earning money, even the elderly. Sure there was a donation for the dance and ceremony. Even on tours, you pay for entertainment. Yes, it was the tugging at heart strings to buy the souvenirs but it was better than the money I spent at a Nadi souvenir shop where I got ripped off FJD $280 because I didn't insist on getting a price for a small painting on canvas. The women choose not to sell through shops to give them control. I supported a woman there who was unable to speak and had a baby to support. There was a blind man and really old women. I spent FJD$260 and got so many souvenirs. They are maintaining traditions. Isn't that what we got to foreign countries for?
Written 15 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
loves2travel71
Vancouver BC103 contributions
Apr 2023
Loved our visit to Lawai. The ladies of the village were so kind and courteous. Showed us around the village and answered our many questions regarding their way of life. Then we went into the main building where the ladies and young children sang and danced. They demonstrated how they make their clay, how they create their art and how its glazed with eucalyptus sap after its baked. You then have a chance to show at the tables the ladies have set up showing off their wares. Everyone was just so kind. Recommend a visit here for authentic, hand made souvenirs.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kooltam
Shepparton, Australia21 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We loved visiting this little village. It was nice to be shown around before sitting before the chief for kava, pottery and dancing demonstration. They even got us up for a dance. There was an opportunity to purchase their pottery with every family having a table set up. Everyone was so friendly. Highly recommend a visit.
Written 28 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eileen B
Sydney, Australia13 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Unfortunately Fiji is now into directed commercialism and the village is a prime example. They appear to cater to the tourists as they drop in rather than at structured times. As a consequence the women looked a little tired and disinterested. No direct pressure to buy but you probably would feel bad walking out if you didn't! Kava ceremony and singing was lovely but overall not a stand-up experience.
Written 27 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathy H
Sacramento, CA120 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
As I look back at previous review pictures - I see Mary and the other beautiful ladies who showered us with Bula and their welcoming hospitality. We had the whole experience too. The cava ceremony, the pottery demonstration, the singing and fun dancing. We really appreciate that they shared their culture with us. This is real Fiji. Vinaka my beautiful ladies.
Written 6 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rsulo
Brisbane, Australia3 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
This might seem harsh as the women greet you with a lovely dance and song but this outing ruined my whole day trip and has now tainted my whole Fiji experience. They ask for donations which is fine - you know you are in a village and happy to help out but you don't expect your generosity to be returned with theft. You start at one stall when they offer their pottery for sale and circulate. You feel bad because each individual is selling their own wares so if you buy from one lady and not another, that family misses out. Problem is where you start they ask high prices and as you go around you realise you were overcharged. That is one thing but they take all your goods for you and ask you to pay at the end. Everything was already wrapped and they told us we owed over $200. Far more than we had calculated. You feel bad questioning it but we had to - if you do go, MAKE SURE YOU DO no matter what. They then count it out in front of you but we lost count and felt so uncomfortable, when they came to $165 we agreed. I paid $200 and after all that, they tried to give me only $15 change. So I had to pull them up again - very awkward but by this time I was getting annoyed. On top of all of that, when we got back to the hotel we counted it out ourselves and found they had still overcharged us $20. Giving and donations is one thing but theft is something entirely else. We spent all that money on stuff we didn't even really want to help them out and I was planning to donate more before we left. Glad we didn't give too much to start with because we didn't have much small change. Horrible experience, ruined my day, my advice is DO NOT GO. :(
Written 4 October 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RockGod70
Sydney, Australia131 contributions
Mar 2013 • Family
Went to the village today as part of a tour. The pre-intro by our tour-guide, Ryan, was very informative.
The welcome to the village was very rewarding and it was nice to hear the songs. The guy representing the village was very pleasant and quite friendly.
It was our first Kava ceremony and was not quite what I had read on the internet or seen on YouTube videos, although I didn't really fancy sitting cross-legged on the floor.
We were shown a demonstration of pottery making and how they glazed the pots straight from a hot fire using tree sap. Ingenious.
After some dancing by the women and our group together we were invited to browse the handicrafts of the village women. Here's where our experience dropped. I understand that the money goes direct to the village and we're helping their cause, but the experience was similar to all the other stalls we've been to across Fiji where the stallholder insists on you buying something from them. Some of the items seemed way overpriced compared to elsewhere. Also, once all our purchases were added up as a total purchase from all stalls it was way over what we had worked out when we got back to the resort, but we assumed at the time it was correct. Another gripe I have is following all the ceremony etc I queried some of the other tourists as to which person was the village chief only to learn he wasn't even there and wasn't interested in mingling with tourists. Hello, if the primary resource for the area is tourism and you expect tourists to subsidise your livliehood then I would expect the village leader would take some interest in helping raise the profile for the overall benefit of the village. Shame on you, Chief.
My final gripe was after reading other stories about this village was that others who had been here had been taken around the village to see how the families lived. After trying to teach my children of the contrasts in lifestyles this was one aspect I was looking forward to, but it was not offered.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the experience, I just would have liked a bit more 'education' and less 'you buy this, you buy this'. Oh, and Chief, get out there and support your people.
The welcome to the village was very rewarding and it was nice to hear the songs. The guy representing the village was very pleasant and quite friendly.
It was our first Kava ceremony and was not quite what I had read on the internet or seen on YouTube videos, although I didn't really fancy sitting cross-legged on the floor.
We were shown a demonstration of pottery making and how they glazed the pots straight from a hot fire using tree sap. Ingenious.
After some dancing by the women and our group together we were invited to browse the handicrafts of the village women. Here's where our experience dropped. I understand that the money goes direct to the village and we're helping their cause, but the experience was similar to all the other stalls we've been to across Fiji where the stallholder insists on you buying something from them. Some of the items seemed way overpriced compared to elsewhere. Also, once all our purchases were added up as a total purchase from all stalls it was way over what we had worked out when we got back to the resort, but we assumed at the time it was correct. Another gripe I have is following all the ceremony etc I queried some of the other tourists as to which person was the village chief only to learn he wasn't even there and wasn't interested in mingling with tourists. Hello, if the primary resource for the area is tourism and you expect tourists to subsidise your livliehood then I would expect the village leader would take some interest in helping raise the profile for the overall benefit of the village. Shame on you, Chief.
My final gripe was after reading other stories about this village was that others who had been here had been taken around the village to see how the families lived. After trying to teach my children of the contrasts in lifestyles this was one aspect I was looking forward to, but it was not offered.
Don't get me wrong, I didn't dislike the experience, I just would have liked a bit more 'education' and less 'you buy this, you buy this'. Oh, and Chief, get out there and support your people.
Written 23 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JUDITH R
SYDNEY112 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
My son, his wife and two small boys went to this village and had a wonderful day. They visited the small school which really gave my two grandsons a look at what life was like in poorer circumstances. All the people in the village were very friendly and the family was made very welcome. My son and his wife bought several items of pottery as well as some carved wooden souvenirs. They were pleased they could contribute to the income of a poor village rather than buying things from somewhere with a wealthy owner. The basic wage of Fijians has only recently gone up to $1.52 per hour - something to bear in mind when visiting Fiji.
Written 15 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aussiekanga
Bowral, Australia6 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
Great day trip close to resort inexpensive gifts to buy people are wonderful and friendly.
Would visit again.
Would visit again.
Written 14 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this village open to visitors on Sunday?
Written 15 April 2017
Beth Senigaga
Fiji
there is no cover charge if you come into the village on your own; if you come as part of a resort or hotel tour be expected to pay
Written 29 March 2019
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