I've also uploaded some pics to the web check out
Lautoka & Waya, Fiji
*sorry the quality doesn't seem to be that great on the enlargements...I'm working on it.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The International Language of Dance
One thing I love about being offshore is being able to experience culture. There are a few great things about travelling on the boat that make these experiences all the richer. One is that we are able to get to some more remote locations than the average "parachute" tourist, another is that we are able to bring our home with us, and a third is that we are a whole group of young people.
After leaving Lautoka we sailed over to another island, still part of Fiji, called Waya. We brought Kava to the cheif and we warmly welcomed into their village. It was a very traditionaal Fijian village and a mother named, Mila, gave us a tour of their village and introduced us to the "old man" (chief) and "old woman" (matriarch) and then a local boy, Sie, led us on a hike up the mountain. We found out later that we were the first foreigners to ever climb all the way to the top! We were also suprised to hear that we were the first boat to come to island in least 20 years and definately the only boat full of young people who wanted to spend time sharing with them.
We rowed some of them back to the boat for a tour and to play on our rope swing and were invited back that evening because they wanted to dance for us. After dinner we rowed the dories back in the dark and they led us over to a low cement porch covered by mats overhung by corrugated tin roof, in front of a field where they would dance for us. Some of the local boys performed a knife dance, the warrier/fertility dance, the flame dance, and a fire dance. It was a hilarious. You could definately tell they were having fun with it, adding in some impromptu and less than authentic moves... it was all fantastic though! The fire dancing was the most awe inspiring. They were whipping around sticks with flames on the ends of them (kind of like the ones jugglers use) and doing all sorts of pyramids and tricks. The most amazing was when they balanced the flamming sticks on the bottoms of their feet. They were laying on the ground holding balls of fire on the arches of their feet!!!
The next part was possible even more hilarious.
They asked us to dance for them.
They had everyone stand up and tought us the "Bula Dance" definately some form of the Fijian Macarena, and then we did a sort of congo line which included a half squat, reaching between your legs to grab the persons hand behind and infront of you and then a jump... all the while the locals laughing hysterically and yelling at us to "not touch the coconuts".... slightly offside, but we were happy to make their day.
After this we had a kava ceremony and we brought some instruments on land and Tavish and Jose performed a drum duo and we all had a little impromptu mug-up with them.
All in all a very memorable night and a fantastic way to start of the leg.
We are now unfortunatly back in Lautoka waiting for fuel and a part to be made correctly for us, but tomorrow we will be on our way to Vanuatu.
After leaving Lautoka we sailed over to another island, still part of Fiji, called Waya. We brought Kava to the cheif and we warmly welcomed into their village. It was a very traditionaal Fijian village and a mother named, Mila, gave us a tour of their village and introduced us to the "old man" (chief) and "old woman" (matriarch) and then a local boy, Sie, led us on a hike up the mountain. We found out later that we were the first foreigners to ever climb all the way to the top! We were also suprised to hear that we were the first boat to come to island in least 20 years and definately the only boat full of young people who wanted to spend time sharing with them.
We rowed some of them back to the boat for a tour and to play on our rope swing and were invited back that evening because they wanted to dance for us. After dinner we rowed the dories back in the dark and they led us over to a low cement porch covered by mats overhung by corrugated tin roof, in front of a field where they would dance for us. Some of the local boys performed a knife dance, the warrier/fertility dance, the flame dance, and a fire dance. It was a hilarious. You could definately tell they were having fun with it, adding in some impromptu and less than authentic moves... it was all fantastic though! The fire dancing was the most awe inspiring. They were whipping around sticks with flames on the ends of them (kind of like the ones jugglers use) and doing all sorts of pyramids and tricks. The most amazing was when they balanced the flamming sticks on the bottoms of their feet. They were laying on the ground holding balls of fire on the arches of their feet!!!
The next part was possible even more hilarious.
They asked us to dance for them.
They had everyone stand up and tought us the "Bula Dance" definately some form of the Fijian Macarena, and then we did a sort of congo line which included a half squat, reaching between your legs to grab the persons hand behind and infront of you and then a jump... all the while the locals laughing hysterically and yelling at us to "not touch the coconuts".... slightly offside, but we were happy to make their day.
After this we had a kava ceremony and we brought some instruments on land and Tavish and Jose performed a drum duo and we all had a little impromptu mug-up with them.
All in all a very memorable night and a fantastic way to start of the leg.
We are now unfortunatly back in Lautoka waiting for fuel and a part to be made correctly for us, but tomorrow we will be on our way to Vanuatu.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Upon Arrival
After spending about 24 hours actual time and 48 hours PST I have arrrived in Fiji and sweated... a lot. It's a beautiful country, gorgeous and green and I have been enjoying the lack of ties I feel to technology. Upon arrival I was immediately whisked away by a driver from the lodge where I was to meet up with the rest of the crew during their break between legs on the boat. Safari Lodge was the very cliche of beach bum couple from Australia who just want to spend the rest of their lives windsurfing and kiteboarding and playing in the sun, so why not open a resort and teach other people to do it too? at least we'll always have company. It was a lot of fun and I had a blast giving my best on the windsurfing board and lounging around in the incredibly comfortable hammocks.
I am however very glad to be back on the Pacific Grace once again. After spending a year on the Swift the first thing I noticed was how BIG the Grace felt and then how dry she looked compared to the glossy varnish of the Swift. The heat down here, while making us all sweat profusely has dried all moisture out of the wood. Never-the-less she still looks grand and striking against here background of turqoise blue sees and jagged island chains.
We have spent a total of one day together so far and already this group seems a promising one. They all have high expectations for the leg and we are going to do our best to follow through. My favourite part of offshore is simply the amount of time you have with everyone and the next 76 days should be amazing to watch and take part in.
We are planning on leaving Fiji tomorrow for the Yasawa Group and then back here to Loutoka to clear out of customs before heading off to Vanuatu.
I am however very glad to be back on the Pacific Grace once again. After spending a year on the Swift the first thing I noticed was how BIG the Grace felt and then how dry she looked compared to the glossy varnish of the Swift. The heat down here, while making us all sweat profusely has dried all moisture out of the wood. Never-the-less she still looks grand and striking against here background of turqoise blue sees and jagged island chains.
We have spent a total of one day together so far and already this group seems a promising one. They all have high expectations for the leg and we are going to do our best to follow through. My favourite part of offshore is simply the amount of time you have with everyone and the next 76 days should be amazing to watch and take part in.
We are planning on leaving Fiji tomorrow for the Yasawa Group and then back here to Loutoka to clear out of customs before heading off to Vanuatu.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Last Trip, time to pack
Well thats is it. It's really hard to believe that I am finished another season, a third season! and that I won't be going out on the boat again next week...or at least not on the Swift. This weekend is proving to be busy and expensive as I fill malaria prescriptions and buy all the other odds and ends that will be easier to get in Canada. I am really excited to go. I have been looking forward to this for a long time, but this season has been so amazing as well and I will be sad to leave this crew, that I have gotten to know so well and love so much, behind. I will also admit that I am nervous about coming into a community that has been established already and trying to find my place in a role that I have never played with SALTS.
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