Tribewanted: Vorovoro

It is really unbelievable how weather is changed in the last 2 days. I’m sitting in the doorway of the Chief’s Bure after having lunch, enjoying the view. Sea is calm, blue sky, no clouds and sunshine – juuhuuuu. It is end of my 2nd week as Chief and I want to give you and share what has been happened this week. But from the Start.

I really didn’t look forward to my 2nd week as Chief. As I knew we will be “loosing” big characters from the island and tribe will be getting smaller and smaller with each Isa Lei. But also bad news from Germany hit me – my grandfather died. So I wasn’t sure what to do. Shall I fly out to the funeral or stay on Vorovoro? And what weather would be that week? At the end (and as you can see) I decided to stay here and take my duty as Chief. But also weather didn’t’ allow me to be in Germany at that short notice.

Monday morning weather wasn’t too bad (sofar). Wind died a little bit and no rain, and sun appeared for a while. As you are probably aware new weeks start with Monday morning meeting with Team Fiji. Dan (Wavu) and Sophie (November Chief) attended to their last meeting with Team Fiji. After going through the projects for coming week Dan and Sophie thanked Team Fiji and first tears started to roll.

In Fijian culture when a friend is leaving, probably not to be seen again, kava will be mixed. Tribe and Team Fiji sat around Tanoa in Grand Bure and Tevita made speech, which hit everyone and tears started to run on everyone’s face.
Teavita spoke from his heart. He explained that in Fiji when a special person is leaving friends and family give a gift. Not money or any art of gift. The gift is the kava which comes from the heart. And when you drink this kava it means you drink their blood and you will be in every heart forever.

Then isa lei – and say good bye. It was hard for everyone to sing the isa lei. When Dan, Sophie and Mark (who stayed on the island for almost 2 months) got on the boat, we just stood on the beach and saw the boat disappearing. Hard to describe in word how we all felt to see our brothers and sister leaving. And I don’t now how Fijians deal with emotional moments?! They seem to go back to work and continue their day as nothing has been happened.

On Tuesday weather changed again, more rain and strong wind were on their way. And weather forecast for this week was, more rain and even stronger wind. Tribe used the time to chat, reading and play games in the Grand Bure. As always Jone was with us. (Good old Jone you are amazing!)
Sevusevu in the afternoon and more rain hit the Island. The ceremony was quite. And I think that everyone was still emotional from Monday. Jenni (December Chief) and Paul (September Chief/Vitika/energetic person around grog mat) presented their Tatau to Team Fiji. And again Tevita did his speech and thanked both for coming here. That night the grog session went till late/earlier hours. (Fijans are right. Grog helps in many ways…)

On Wednesday Jenni and Paul left the island – another Brother and Sister. But we couldn’t cry anymore – we didn’t have any tears left, so we went to work (we learned from Fijians that is the best way to deal with emotional moments). Even in the heavy rain we all kept ourselves busy. After more than one week of heave rain part of the island were flooded. We didn’t know if we had to evacuate our piggy (she isn’t pregnant yet. But hopefully soon. Romantic weekend will take place at some point in February).

Thursday weather was still bad. But at least it stopped raining for few hours. To keep everyone in good mood and busy. creative workshop with Pupu in FunHouse has been organised. Theme was coconut jewerlly. But also bilos (cups made from coconut). Everyone who been to he island knows, that Pupu is a legend. He is very organised and has to every situation a solution, which is simple and easy to do (I don’t understand why we have to make everything so complicated). It was great fun working with Pupu (as always). I made myself my Chief’s bilo (I was very temped to do 2nd Malau Bus as my Chief’s bilo;-))

The roof in old vale started to leaking and Jerome (Fijian name: Seroma) sealed the holes with simple solution – waterproof tape. He did great job no water comes into the vale anymore. Well done!

Friday the live on Vorovoro started getting to normal. Sun appeared for few hours and we began with big clean up around the island. Storm brought loads of rubbish from Labasa. Highlight this evening was, we had our dinner at dining table for the first time in 2 weeks with fantastic sunset. Tribe enjoyed the moment and everyone was in good spirit and looked forward to the weekend.

On the weekend, specially today – SUNSHINE. Vorovoro is back! Paradise! So I’m off to snorkel now and looking forward to next week. When weather stays like that big clean up around the island will continue.

I’m back from snorkelling. It was amazing. Loads of fish and of course jelly fish. I’m sitting on the breakfast table and enjoying the sea.

Moce
Irina

P.S. Jone is on his way to pick up Team Fiji from Malau.