Wednesday, November 05, 2008

PROFESSOR Patrick Nunn is well known in environmental circles throughout the Pacific as having one of the best brains in the business.

Now he is receiving even more accolades from none-other than the iconic National Geographic Magazine.

This comes as the 2007-2008 research project led by Professor Nunn, who is from the University of the South Pacific's School of Geography, won a unique accolade from the world famous National Geographic Society.

His southwest Viti Levu project was selected as one of National Geographic's "Top 25 New Trips for 2008".

A USP release said: "This is because it provided scientific volunteers a unique opportunity for immersion in an authentic culture (the team stayed in a traditional Fijian village) as well as allowing them to participate in efforts to reconstruct the cultural history of the region".

It said Professor Nunn was delighted with the award, hoping it would help fund the next round of research in the area.

One of the key issues for projects such as his is that it is sometimes very difficult to find funds.

According to National Geographic, the Go Green project immerses travellers in local culture "to the extreme.

"The lure of life as a Pacific islander is as timeworn as it is elusive (umbrellaed rum drinks and a Bob Marley soundtrack do not qualify).

Enter Earthwatch Institute, our third highest rated outfitter overall, whose new archaeological expedition to the Fijian island of Viti Levu takes immersion travel to the extreme," it said.

"On Rove Peninsula, fringed by a mangrove forest on one side and blooming coral reefs on the other, Bourewa Beach is the site of the earliest human settlement in Fiji. Working with a team of researchers and local university students, you'll excavate sites for provocative evidence of prehistoric life, including greenstone tools and intricately carved pottery".

One of the big lures is that because so little is known about the Lapita people, those who pay to participate "actually have an amazing chance of discovering something new and exciting in the field".

Earthwatch program manager Kimberly Ciano told National Geographic that while working the site, visitors would stay with villagers and get a good dose of Fijian hospitality. National Geographic says: "After a turn as Indiana Jones, follow your new friends to the best snorkelling spots or on an exploration of paradise on horseback".

Visitors pay around $US2,649 ($F4,713) to be part of the 15-day expedition, helping fund archaeological research.

Article reproduced courtesy of Fiji Times Online - http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=105329