Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Bula Sia and welcome to the latest weekly update of island life on Vorovoro and my first blog as February’s Marama. Apologies for the late posting but internet access has been a little sketchy on the island to say the least so this is the first opportunity I have had to upload.

The week began with the departure of the last of our tagane (Male tribemembers) leaving us with a total tribe of 3, myself included, and January’s Marama Irina

With Christina and Michelle away at church for the day with Francis and Poasa it was an enjoyable relaxed start for team with a late breakfast and our Sunday meeting on the hammocks in the glorious sunshine before it was rudely interrupted by a brief downpour. With the outline of the week ahead sorted the day was then our own to enjoy all that the island has to offer.

Monday saw the arrival of Emma and Wai and the increase of our now all female tribe. After a rainy boat ride the girls were welcomed to the island with a hot cup of tea and bread and butter pudding, a new tribe favorite thanks to Irina, who should really be known as Marama baked goodies after introducing the tribe to such delights as papaya upside down cake and the apple pancakes and bread and butter pudding, a British staple with a Fijian twist with the addition of fresh grated coconut – recipe coming soon courtesy of Amy

Unfortunately Monday was also the day that Benjamin Katz was taken ill with a high fever. Ben was promptly put to bed in the Chiefs Bure, now affectionately known as the hospital wing, where he could be kept an eye on by the team. With Ben temporarily out of action and Timoce on a well deserved break back in the UK it really was an all girl task force with the guidance of team Fiji.

Tuesday was of course the big day of the week with the usual Sevu Sevu plus this week’s addition of chief handover. To mark the occasion the tribe performed a Meke for Tui Mali and guests.

An unusual Meke line up as it was all girls and with team Fiji singing the fastest rendition of the Meke I have ever heard it was a performance that Jale would have been proud of, I believe we were only three beats away from the infamous ’ Nitro Meke” (all 6 in under 30 seconds). After an exhausting Meke the usual festivities began with tea cake and a raucous sing song around the Tanoa.

Pupu lead another coconut workshop on Wednesday, much to the delight of the tribe and Pupu as he was surrounded by girls all eager to learn his magical ways of turning an ordinary coconut into beautiful pieces of jewelry, bilos etc, pure genius.

With Ben Keene due to arrive at sundown, Thursday was a hub of activity with Te and the gang preparing Erimone and Va teaching us the girls Meke. After a quick lesson on the beach it was agreed that we should perform it on the shoreline as Ben, accompanied by Tui Mali and Uli, arrived to welcome them home.

Shortly before the boat arrived a magnificent rainbow appeared from behind the headland which spread right out to the Horizon. Little did we know as we situated ourselves on the beach that we had indeed placed ourselves at what would appear from the boat to be the end of the rainbow. With the girls, and Va as our center piece, all dressed in coconut leaf skirts and banana leaf neck ties and bracelets we really did appear to be Vorovoro’s very own pot of gold.

Team Fiji had also erected a tarpaulin earlier in the day outside of Tui Mali’s entrance to the Grand Bure which meant we could have an outdoor grog session despite the rain. Under the blue glow provided by J Dubs LED lighting and the tarpaulin above us Ben delivered his Sevu Sevu and the exciting news of an invitation for team Fiji to come to England.

That’s right; the boys are coming to England! As part of the Hampton Court Palace flower show a selection of team Fiji will be in London to promote tourism in Fiji and of course the project. More details to follow shortly.

Friday brought with it the opportunity to visit Mali School. As ever we were warmly greeted with introductions, songs and the Meke. Having practiced the Meke for Ben’s homecoming, Michelle and I thought we would join the girls for their rendition of the ….. Meke. Needless to say, as well practiced as we thought we were the girls were far better than us leaving us at least 2 seconds behind, much to the amusement of the rest of the class. Introductions and hilarity out of the way it was outside for football, netball and rugby, shortly followed by near exhaustion on our part having tried in vain to keep up with them. Red faced and out of breath it was time to return to the island where Irina had once again baked for us a yummy delight for afternoon tea. Refreshed and revived, it was time to hit the grog mat for our Friday farewell Tanoa with team Fiji.

Vorovoro really was a deserted island on Saturday. With the majority of the tribe heading into town, Wai and Emma joined Ben Keene on his trip to Vau

Whilst Emma and Wai enjoyed the typical Fijian hospitality experienced by all on a village visit, a million and one cups of tea accompanied by at least one’s body weight in cake, Ben headed of to Tui Mali’s for a meeting to discuss the remainder and subsequent extension of the project.

Well and truly fed and watered the tribe congregated in the Grand Bure later that evening around and indoor campfire of coconut husks, expertly constructed by Ben to keep the bugs at bay. Have you ever seen Ben build a fire? It’s quite impressive. Only Hot chocolate and Marshmallows accompanied by an evening of story telling seemed suitable to round the day off.

On Sunday the tribe got to sample the delight that is homemade pasta with a touch of cocoa as made by Sophie and I. OK so chocolate pasta I hear you cry, it may be an all girl tribe but really?
Fear not, the island has not descended into a hormonal melting point with dirty dancing on the laptop and a constant touch of pink.

The cocoa pasta recipe was actually introduced by a tribe member, Italian Tribemember may I add and it is delicious. A small amount of cocoa powder (50g in 1KG of flour) brigs out the flavor of the vegetable sauce we made to accompany it. I have to say that I was he most skeptical when I saw the colour of it but can only say one thing and that is Vina’a Va’a Levu Gian Alfredo, you are quite simply the pasta master.

Last week also saw the completion of the long awaited storage cupboards for the Grand Bure by Marau, who has done a fantastic job once again. Te’ lead the tribe for culture class, hence our new Meke style which is now far more about the shoulders and less about counting, much to the delight of Tui Mali who was quoted as saying “Before you knew how to do the Meke, now you know how to DO the Meke, eh? Throws your arms abut and that”

Waterfall project has continued this week and I have included some photos, as requested, thanks to Ben Keene, of the work completed so far. These photos were taken at the end of last week upon Ben’s return. Fortunately so far this week we have been blessed with good weather in the early part of the day so work is racing ahead, more news regarding the dam to follow in next blog,

Ok so that’s all from me as I’m sure your tea has gone cold one by now. I just want to take a moment to be a little self indulgent here and say a heart felt ‘Moce’ to Irina who left on Wednesday. Irina was an absolute asset to the island, going way beyond what is expected of a Chief or tibemember, and will be greatly missed, almost as much as her afternoon tea contributions I say sat here with a slightly rumbley tummy

Travel safely Irina and be sure to give Taniela a squeeze from all of us when u get home.