'Born in the sea' - Captain Api complete's two years work for Tribewanted
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‘bula sia, api’, a firm double handed handshake and a smile from Captain Api at the Grand Eastern hotel, is often the first contact tribe members have with their real world Vorovoro experience.
Soon after he is helping load you and your bags onto one of Vorovoro’s fibre punts. And with a flick of the 40 horsepower he delicately carves a snaking wake up the river and out to sea.
I’m estimating that Api has already captained about 1500 boat journeys for the tribe – and in all that time, with all those people and all that weather he has always kept us and our endless amount of luggage and shopping safe and happy.
A kinder, more reliable man is hard to find. We trust him with our lives everyday and everyday he repays us.
Api, vina’a va’alevu for being the best captain in the world.
We presented sevusevu and cake to api on Sunday evening outside the boat captains house on the beach to thank him for his work. We will also be helping to paint his family home in Naqai village in the next few weeks but if you have stories about Api or messages please share them here or post to ‘Captain Api, Vorovoro, Box 2670, Labasa, Fiji.’
To the tune of ‘bad moon rising’....’I see Kia on the horizon, I see my captain coming home…’
Comments
io, vinaka vinaka. vina’a va’alevu captain api.
best captain in the world. best tavale in the world.
those photos bring back memories!!
api is too modest, and so unassuming with his role and how much of an impact he makes on every tribe member, from the moment they step on the boat (in whatever conditions), to the moment u sit next to him round the tanoa, and you realise the real api!!!
“bouncing” our way to kia in jan 07, and numerous ‘board meetings’ with api, sitting over the cakalevu reef are some top highlights!
...then theres the cyclone/pontoon story…legend
save me a paint brush!
Brother Api… It’s hard to sum up just how amazing this boat captain is. It would be a challenge to find someone who was more dedicated, caring, cheeky and entertaining. Driving the little Vorovoro boats is only a small part that Api has played in this project. I guarantee that most people who visit Vorovoro will have a happy memory of our captain.
For me… he was my Fijian brother, best friend, and partner in crime.
Happiest memories – early morning fishing trips, especially the one on my last morning, I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my last hours …
Sending paint and love… Brother Taniela
Api, you always make me ‘appy. xx
congratulations Api,
such an incredible man, with such an incredible family.
Api will open up his home and his heart to anyone and show you genuine hospitality which is a lost art in most places.
happy painting,
Tomasi xx
Captain Api! Congratulations on your 2 year anniversary. We all appreciate how hard you work. I hope you know how much I respect you and have enjoyed our conversations. I even enjoy your teasing me with a good Baaahhck, baaahhck here and there! Vinaka vaka levu, Ili
API is my sons favourite person from Vorovoro, well, never mind person ….best “thing” from Vorovoro. His favorite photo is of Api letting him steer the boat on our first boat trip to Vorovoro. When he thinks of Vorovoro, he thinks of Api! (oh and of course, Kimbo!)
wait, am i missing something or is api leaving??? is this just the marking of an occasion, or is api headed back to kia on a longer stint!
either way, from playing twister on tui mali’s veranda after the cyclone to a quiet goodbye at the grand eastern in may, api has been a constant in my experience of the island and this project. i have felt safe in his steerage and friendship on the mat. and i will always value that more can sometimes be said in silence from a man like api than in a 10,000 word essay…vina’a.
api ain’t going nowhere – we’re just recognising his work to date!
Thankyou Api – I think of you everytime I see these big Queensland bananas! And everytime I see a post from Donk – “Shut Up Jason” Love your work xx
Vinaka vaka levu api!! You most definatly stole my heart. Never have I met a man with such a huge heart. during my time on the island we shared many a chat, joke and even insult, but you and your family will always be in my heart!! Thankyou for being such a good friend from the moment we met at the grand eastern to taking me all the way to the airport when i left! keep up the amazing work you do on vorovoro!!
Lots of love you sharp chinned friend xx
P.S I still hold true to my promise, if what you told me comes true, in years to come my firstborn shall indeed be “api juniour”!!!!!!
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congrats my ‘brotha from another mutha’
see you asap!
miss you
x
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