Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula sia everybody!

On Saturday night myself and my tribe friend Kat O’Heir went to check out a fruit tree by my bure to try and spot some bats and giant moths feasting on the fruity treasure. We were a bit early for any good bat action but we did hear a strange sound coming from the side of my bure. Closer inspection revealed a medium sized Hawksbill turtle digging a hole to lay her eggs.She was right up close to the ocean side of the bure, laborously digging her hole.

We trotted back to the campfire to let the rest of the tribe know about the exciting event and Jimmy woke up Momma Jenny so she could come and try and get some video footage. We gathered at a respectful distance and watched her slow progress in near silence, all spellbound by her presence. After awhile some of us felt that the namus (mosquitos) were pushing their luck and tired after a busy day in paradise, retired for the evening.

I retreated to my bure to enjoy a few chapters of a really good book, popping out regulary to check on her progress. Once the hole was completed it took her about an hour to lay her eggs. It was funny to see her back flippers lift up every time she laid an egg! Every now and again she would let out a big sigh..poor love! If we had been enjoying a grog session i would have offered her a bilo or two for relaxation purposes!

When she had laid her 100 or so eggs she began her slow journey back to the ocean…in the wrong direction. She was absolutely exhausted. Jimmy and Momma Jenny turned her around and once she was facing the right direction her progress was much faster. She swam away into the night. Moce Mama Turtle. Vinaka vakalevu for that experience. We hope that many of your children will live long and happy lives.

This was such an amazing experience to behold and i feel very lucky to have witnessed turtles laying twice in my time here on Vorovoro.Once on Christmas eve and now on Easter eve. Woohoo! Long live the Fiji turtles!!