Tribewanted: Vorovoro

Waiting to get on the boat to Vorovoro was like a small child trying to get thru the last required bite of dinner before they could receive their dessert.

Finally we were off – there were about 6 or so of us new to the island heading over at that time. About 30 minutes of a warm, sunny and beautiful boat ride and we were there.

The tide was very low showing that there is a very large and active reef system off of our lagoon. All the staff and existing tribe members came to the beach to greet us and take our things in from the boat (mostly because we needed help walking over the rough, exposed sea bed to get to shore).

We were show our bure (New Vale) and soon were off getting our bags and setting up our beds (mossie netting hanging is indeed an art!)

Then Dan our new tribe wanted chief gave us the grand tour. Talk about a LOT of work done in two years – when you see my pictures you will see all the hard work that has gone into developing this.

Sustainable – the word for the day – the word for the world. Nothing here is wasted – and I mean nothing. Recycling is just the tip of the iceberg here – there is even a special system in what we call “out houses” at home that turn human waste into valuable compost for the gardens.

Meals and food are plentiful, simple and YUMMY! We has rice with all sorts of “stuff” mixed in for our first lunch and a lovely veggie and sausage stew over rice for our first dinner. There is always a fruit and/or veggie component to every meal. They tell me that porridge is the basic breakfast – but so far I have not seen any. My frst breakfast was French toast (eggie bread for you folks from the UK) with lots of fruit.

What to do??? I found my first day rather unsettleing. I’m not used to unstructured and the lack of an agenda left me at a bit of a loss (and sort of wishing that I could at least check my email).

Laying abou in hammocks and chatting with other is a favorite pastime – meeting folks from other parts of the world and trading our “how did you hear about it /or why did you come” stories.

So far I’ve taken a couple of swims – sea baths (right now is the dry season so bathing in the sea is the preferred option). I’ve gone snorkeling right here off of our lagoon – beautiful – does make me wish I had invested in an underwater camera. Tui Mali came to the island on Saturday to say hi and pick up his boat – but I did not get to meet him. We always know he’s coming as the Lali drum beats and we all run for our sulus to cover up. As a woman I also had to take my hair down – and definitely no sunglasses to be worn on the eyes or head.

Yesterday afternoon I had a bit of an upset – Lisa and I were sharing a hammock sit when the whole thing let loose and down to the ground we came crashing! She was ok – but I definitely hurt my tail bone in a most unpleasant way – I’m hoping as I sit here the next day that it starts to feel better! I will not have this trip cut short just because I broke my bum!

Last night we had our first informal grog ceremony. I tried three cups and really didn’t feel much effect – but then I was going slow as I heard it can make you quite silly. Since my bum hurt so bad I headed off to bed early – 9 ish – whilst the beer came out and the bon fire party began.

So far I have not been to the evening bon fire – first night jet lag got the better of me and last night I was in too much pain. I really feel like I’m missing valuabe bonding time with the tribe and staff by not having been there – which makes me feel a bit sad.

Today we are off to town – I may pick up some treats for the tribe. We also learn the Meke (dance) as tomorrow Tui Mali comes to the island.

Cioa for now Marie