James Atkinson: My first week on Vorovoro
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I Flew into Labasa Saturday Morning, flight delayed due to the weather, on a very small plane, during a torrential downpour.
A taxi driver drove me over the very bumpy road to The Grand Eastern Hotel in Labasa – still pouring with rain.
After meeting the new chief at the hotel, as well as some of the staff, we had a quick shop in Labasa before boarding the boat to take us to Vorovoro.
When Vorovoro comes into sight from the boat, it’s a very strange feeling after seeing so many pictures and videos from the website.
Stepping onto Vorovoro was a very surreal feeling. But amazing.
The pictures on the website don’t do the island justice.
Arriving on a Saturday meant not much work gets done, so it was pretty cruisey the first few days getting to know everyone here and exploring the island.
Monday morning all the boys arrived, which was a little scary at first seeing a boat load of big Fijian guys pull up as i’m lying in the hammock.
But the guys are all so friendly and entertaining!
- Weeding near the toilets with Pupu.
- Moving compost from behind the toilet with Epelli
- Meke lessons
- Pulling down the green water-tank and cleaning it out with the boys.
- Grog session – singing
- Cutting down branches from the river near the village, which we then stripped bark off and tied down in the ocean – with Pupu and Poasa. These are to be used to make Meke-Skirts.
- Singing
- Grog Session – Singing
- Collecting beans, peanuts, capsicum and other vegetables with Epelli and Tevita.
- Chief handover and my sevusevu ceremony with Tui Mali.
- Forum Chats.
- Grog Session + Singing
- Tribe members leaving
- Feeding new piglets
- Snorkeling / Swimming
- School Visit
- Grog Session + Singing
- Waterfall showers
- Meke Practice
- Trying Kava for the first time
- Snorkeling
- Eating by the beach
- School Visit
- Meeting all the other tribe members and staff
- Playing the ‘Whale Game’ with Mateo
- After watching 2nd Ep of ‘Paradise of Bust – at the end Ben says after the first day “I’m Tired but i’m Happy” – Epelli, who has fallen asleep during the show rolls over and says – “I’m Tired but i’m Api!”
Can’t believe the first week has gone so quick, but has been a lot of fun.
Leaving on the 16th and heading to London for 1 week so hopefully I can catch up with a few tribe members
Vinaka, Semesa.
Comments
nice one james! sounds like the great vorovoro experience! you get out of it, what you put into it – so seems like youve been having a great time…
glad to see youve put ‘meke practice’ at the top of your highlight list! did u get chance to perform for tui mali??
if youre in london, on the 18th come to Sway bar for the final episode viewing…plenty tribe members, me, ben, and previous staff members, grog, fiji visitors bureau, meke (!!!), and itll be great fun…email me for details..kimbo@tribewanted.com
naka
kimbo
Sounds amazing James. Great summary and like Stuart says you’re certainkly getting out and putting in. I can’t wait to visit myself.
Awful lot of grog-drinking and singing in there, James!! :-)
Hope to see you on the 18th
James – Thanks so much for the update from the island! Sounds like you’re having a great time. Hope to meet you on the 18th!
Hey James
Greay Blog glad you included the pigs how are they doing I misss them have they grown more Ginger hair. Send my love to everyone. If you ae in London lets meet but I think you will be staying till Aprilsome how. xx
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