Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Reaching across the waves, calling all the massive, we have a Hammock Society code red, I repeat… a code red… the person sitting in the hammocks with me has been breaking all sorts of Hammock Society rules under the disguise of ‘charity’ work. She’s the beautiful Tribe Manager and she doesn’t like to be called ‘Short Stuff’…

No I don’t.

Or ‘Noodles’ – cos of her famous curly wurly hair…

That’s not so bad but I prefer my real name.

Ms Briden?

No, my first name… Amy. Bula sia everyone.

And bula sia to you. Now readers, Amy wanted the Hammock Society questions written down and submitted to her so she could carefully compose her answers… something about not trusting me… of course, I refused her request. But she has the power of editing blogs once they’ve been uploaded and she’s threatened me with proof reading and tweaking parts. I hope you’re reading ‘the REAL version’… if not, I’ll tie her to a coconut tree for a week.

You wouldn’t dare.

We will see. When you arrived in March 2008, I was your Chief, then I became the gapper and worked in a supporting role and now I’m Project Director… what’s this rollercoaster of a power struggle been like?

Its been quite nice actually, being able to build up a friendship over time, share the same memories, experiences and stories. The people you work with become your family here on Vorovoro.

I’m touched, but you’re still banned from the Hammock Society! You were one of the first people to be banned for taking part in Queen Pulse’s legs, bums ‘n tums exercise class. I would happily accept you back, with a sincere letter of remorse, but here you running up and down the beach each day. Why, why, why?

For the big event: the Iron Maiden!

I’m an old skool raver, not really a fan of heavy metal…

No you silly monkey. The Iron Maiden is to run the four peaks and swim around the island without your fins. It was first completed by Ben and Giles last August and since no girls have done it I thought it would be first!

Are you the sort of girl who would burn her bra as a political statement?

You’re so rude hahahahaha…. I don’t know. The Iron Maiden is a personal challenge for me but its also something I really want to do and raise money for a worthwhile cause at the same time.

And when is this madness taking place?

On 2nd July if the weather and tides are OK.

And whom are you putting yourself through so much pain for when you could be chillaxing in the hammocks?

Its for Survivor International, a charity helping tribal people around the world so its very appropriate for this project.

I’m a tribal person, will you be helping me?

I knew you would say something like that! No, its for indigenous people who are oppressed by governments and corporations trying to take away their land rights and stuff like that. If you want to know more look at the website www.survival-international.org

And how can we sponsor you? Do you accept coconuts?

No coconuts, although one might be nice when I finish, just click on http://www.justgiving.com/vorovoroironmaiden/

The Hammock Society is happy to help you in your quest. For example, I’ve been launching coconuts at you from the beach while you swim to help increase your speed and reflex.

Oh I didn’t know about that! It was probably a rubbish throw.

You’re right, with these puny arms its hard to get good distance. But that’s OK cos I’ve got a whole artillery of tricks… I’m even in the process of making some strap-on shark fins.

Hahahaha… you’re meant to be supporting me not scaring me!

I’ll support you with ideas to increase your fundraising… here’s one… do the Iron Maiden challenge naked?

I tova taki iko!

What does that mean?

Behave yourself!

Sega (no). So will you be running it naked?

No, there’s far too many prickly bushes!

Hahahahahaha… good answer. And it would probably wake the ancestors from the eternal sleep in a mighty wrath!

I will be running it in the respectful attire Mr Kerridge.

And so you should.

Biuti iko I wai

Hmmm, what does that mean… something about water?

Throw you in the sea.

Your Fijian is coming on really well, its not an easy language to learn.

You can’t translate English sentence structure straight into Fijian, it’s a different mind set. I found its best to learn phrases and build up on it that way.

I notice you’ve been spending lots of time up in the showers recently, yet you aren’t washing… what exactly are you up to?

I’m actually working on a shower mosaic with all the shells I’ve collected over the last year. I’ve never worked on anything this scale before, its bigger than me! I’ve had to do lots of experiments with different glues and cements. Its a really fiddly design and there’s a long way to go but its brilliant to be creative again.

You squeeze so much into your day.

I get up at 5.45am.

There’s an old Indian proverb: he who misses dawn, misses life.

I like that time of day, it gives me time to do some exercise before the bell rings for breakfast. After that there’s lots to do… if it’s a town day I have to write the shopping lists/kitchen menus, make sure all the eco bags are on the boat because we don’t want plastic in the kitchen. Organise the kitchen gang – Team Kana.

Our head chefs, Va and Francis, often take the glory for the meals but you deserve lots of the credit working quietly away and overseeing the operation, its improved loads under your guidance, especially for vegetarians.

I don’t know about that. I guess it helps that I’m vegetarian as well, we use the ingredients that we have but mixing it up a bit, trying new ideas, the tribe are brilliant bringing in new recipes and its getting away from the typical omelets for the veggies.

What’s the biggest challenge for you managing this cross-cultural kitchen?

Obviously, I’m a lot younger than Va and Francis… so I need to respect them but also manage them effectively. Its about getting a balance and the best way I’ve worked out is just being positive and praising them a lot – that seems to work a lot better than going in and telling them off, I don’t like doing that, it just creates barriers. Its always important to have a variety of Fijian dishes and western foods. This really helps with people who aren’t familiar with Fijian dishes and also families who need simple dishes. So we have a mix of BBQ fish with minti and dalo and also home comforts like sheppard’s pie and vegetable layer bake.

And pawpaw curry! I love pawpaw curry.

It makes me go to the toilet.

In contrast, I’m constipated and pawpaw is good for constipation.

Hahahahahaha…

What do you love about living on a remote Fijian island?

I love the simplicity and being immersed by nature and as well as sharing my life with lots of different people. But also the highlight is the Fijians and their laughter, it’s a really inspiring place to be.

You live in a little hut by the sea and it looks like its seen one to many storms…

At the moment Pupu and the boys are weaving some coconut fronds to replace the roof and apparently some of the wood is rotten so they might even replace those. But to me, I absolutely love it, a really beautiful sea breeze that blows through, its basic but its perfect.

Any spiders?

One or two, but that’s OK. Sometimes when they’re playing volleyball next to my hut and the ball bounces off the roof dirt falls on my head hahahahaha…

It sounds like it can’t take many more hits…

No. Liavi told me the other day “its not even a house by Fijian standards, its more of a pigpen!”

And you quite like sleeping in pigpens don’t you Amy?

A few of us, including the legend Pupu, recently slept in the new pigpen before the pigs arrived. I like sleeping in strange locations… I’ve slept on the boat but that was a bit rocky, the tree house, the breakfast tables under the stars.

Is there anywhere else you would like to sleep?

Yes, I would like to sleep on peak one and the secret beach.

Do you think you’ve grown as a person? …Cos you still look 4ft 2” to me!?

Oi! I’m 5ft 1” actually hahahaha… yeah, I’ve definitely grown as a person. This place has been incredible for my life journey, I’ve learnt so much from everyone I’ve come into contact with, even you! Hahahaha… being here has also made me appreciate what’s important, and to me, that’s family and friends… my Grandma’s 94 and I’m looking forward to spending time with them all after September.

You’re looking a bit fidgety to me, like someone who needs to exercise… so… any last messages out there for the tribe?

What I’ve learnt in Fiji is that Fijians make the most of every single day and don’t really look in the past or the future… just live in the moment.

And if you want to sponsor me chase Amy swimming around the island in a shark costume just click here http://www.justgiving.com/vorovoroironmaiden/

Oi! Vinaka everyone!

And remember readers… Chill out, don’t work out! Go Hammocks! Waterbomb Amy! Wohooooooo!!!