Tree Houses in Koro : Living off the Grid within Nature’s Bounty

July 2, 2009 - PRLog -- On May 6, 1789, after the Mutiny, Captain Bligh managed to find the time to observe "the island of Koro is of good height… Nothing can exceed its beauty. I place it in 17° 11"S." His first impressions were correct – it does indeed lie at 17° 11"S and it is exceedingly beautiful.



Koro is a dormant volcanic Island covered in lush tropical forest and surrounded by coves and beaches. Though easily accessible by weekly flight from mainland Fiji, or via various nautical routes, it is still largely undeveloped.



In Fiji 9% of island land is earmarked for freehold foreign ownership, affording early bird Westerners a chance to buy a slice of Paradise at emerging market prices. Later as infrastructure follows the inevitable flow of enlightened émigrés seeking the tropical good life, prices will be marked up markedly.



There are builders in Fiji and Koro who can work to your specifications, but there are a number of things you need to be aware of first. Concrete just does not jibe here on Koro – plus it is an uneconomic building material to ship in. Instead the island’s own resources are employed, giving all buildings a cohesive look and vernacular charm.  Houses are built from tropical hardwood on elevated poles driven into the forest floor to allow for air circulation. Designs that work have perhaps as much covered verandah as enclosed area, and walls are vented to keep the rooms aired and comfortable. It’s the ‘House Style’ – tried and tested in the field.



If you plan to live or holiday here, it is best to be prepared to ‘go with the flow’ in Koro



There are no grids. Water comes directly from the roof, or clear springs and streams. Generators are frowned on, since they emit noise and other pollution, and solar panels – electric and direct water - plus deep-storage batteries are used to provide light, and power for appliances. Gas bottles are imported by boat, as must be any fancy food you want for cooking. Fortunately the internet and telecoms have come to Koro, and you can order supplies to be sent from mainland delicatessen supermarkets.



Activities on Koro include sunbathing on white sand beaches, swimming and diving, and fishing and sailing on crystal clear water. (The end of the Great Barrier Reef extends to Fiji protecting it from potential Tsunamis and providing a haven for a huge range of tropical fish.)



A gravelled road runs around the island, along the coast, passing through 14 main villages. Being part of a former British Colony the legal system is similar to ours, and the locals are used to English-speaking foreigners, seeing as their closest major neighbours are Australia and New Zealand.



David Redfern of DSR Asset Management Ltd said this about Koro :



“Koro has the potential to become one of the most unique destinations in the Pacific, combining unrivalled natural beauty with sustainable development and low-impact tourism… We can offer a range of plots in different locations from as low as £16,000… we can also help to guide you when it comes to building your own ideal home if you chose to do so.”

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DSR Asset Management Ltd is the only company dedicated to supporting investors in the worlds emerging and established property markets. We understand how difficult it can be to invest in the overseas property markets