Newsletter, January 11, 2007
From Tribewanted
Contents |
Podcast and plans from Bengazi for the tribe.
Its been an amazing adventure so far and yes, there is a lot to do in order to reach our goals, especially in terms of linking and structuring our two tribal worlds together more cohesively, but hopefully this will provide a stronger platform for you to help make the project and tribal experience a big success in 2007….
Tribewanted cover story of National Geographic Adventure
"Tui Mali led the First Footers into a large clearing behind the beach and sat on the ground with his legs crossed. More than a hundred of the yavusa, dressed traditionally in palm-frond skirts and colorful bula shirts, gathered before him…"
So we haven't quite reached the magic 5000 yet, but we have got 5000 brilliant words in the National Geographic Adventure magazine now on sale across the US. A big Vinaka Vakelevu to James Vlahos for putting so much into this piece, and for showing the world this stunning isle.
Read the article and check out more of the brilliant pictures here...
Tribewanted at Adventure Expo US 14th/15th Jan
James will be talking about his Tribewanted experience at the Adventures in Travel Expo.
The first one is at 3:15pm on Sunday, January 14, at Pier 94, 755 12th Avenue at 55th Street, New York, NY.
The second is at 3:30, Saturday, January 27, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 N. River Road, in Rosemont, IL (Chicago metro area).
Tribewanted at Adventure Travel Show London
12th/13th Jan
Bengazi will be talking about Tribewanted at 2pm of Friday 12th Jan in the Time Out Travel Theatre at the Adventure Travel Show, Olympia. Tribewanted doesn't have its own stand but will still be making a noise so for those that love adventure its definitely worth a visit http://www.adventureshow.co.uk
Vorovoro's first wedding!
It's taken a little over four months for our first tribe members to get hitched on Vorovoro, but its finally happened. Chris and Toni got engaged on their first day on the island, well six days later they got married! Although it was not an official wedding, for everyone there it felt like the real deal. Tui Mali graciously stepped in as the master of ceremonies, whilst Poasa (Tui Mali's brother) had the lucky job of giving away the beautiful bride.
In true Fijian style the wedding ceremony was thrown together in a matter of hours, complete with rings made by some of the Mali workers on the island at the time, music, decorations, a cake, champagne and all the trimmings to make it an occasion that all who attended will not forget. Oh and of course there were some tears! We wish Chris and Toni all the best for their future together, and maybe we'll see them back on Vorovoro for their honeymoon.
Chief Stu Wildgeeza
Its not often you become chief of an island, but on Tuesday the 8th of January Stuart Wild did just that. Although Stu had been official chief since the 1st we decided to wait for the appropriate time to have the handing over ceremony. The 8th was the perfect day as our friends from Ligalevu came over to visit us to celebrate the on going festive season (yes that's right the New Year celebrations go on for a whole month on Mali!), and also to welcome in the new chief. As the tribe enjoyed their well-earned afternoon tea break they were met by the singing, smiley faces of the Ligalevu gang as they arrived. Now its not often that happens on a building site anywhere in the world, but it does on Vorovoro!
Singing and dancing soon gave way to preparations for the ceremony that was to be held in the Great Bure. Decked out with the tribe's new matt that they helped to make, it made a perfect back drop for the nights entertainment. Once Stu had been officially made chief he found himself dancing between two ladies, lucky boy, and later part of the longest conga line ever seen on our little island!
