Newsletter, July 27, 2006
From Tribewanted
Contents |
Fiji Focus
Ben and Ulai have hit the ground running in Fiji creating a rise in partnerships and discounts for tribewanted members including heavily discounted air fares to Labasa via Sun Air, discounts with Nomad Skylodge in Fiji and many more opportunities being discussed. Here are some of the recent updates from Ben:
Google in the Jungle
"Yesterday Ulai and I had a guided tour of 'Love Islands' 350-man TV production. Whatever your opinion of the actual show, this is a seriously impressive set-up if you like a little bit of tech. Now, us 21st century tribals, we need a little bit of tech to get through the day, just as much as we need our tea and cake. Without the tech we're not really a tribe at all.
So we're busy working out the best way to get online on the island. Our tech friends we met at Love Island have come up with a great little solution for Vorovoro which includes some microwave bouncing and wireless pinging. The end result is that we'll be able to blog from the beach, webcast on the western point and google from the jungle."
Where is the Water?
After a meeting with Mr Mala Finau, head of the hydrology section with the FIJI Department of Natural Resources and Energy (er!) the drilling team may not be on the ground within the time frame that we need them to be. We haven't exhausted our lobbying options yet. Welcome to Fiji time! In the interim he has suggested to the tribe a few options:
1. Rainwater harvesting
Improving on current Vorovoro rainwater harvesting techniques where surfaces are transformed into water catchment areas. This would mean using the topography of Vorovoro, its natural shape to collect water from the rocky surfaces and channel down into the valley where it can be housed and used for washing, drinking and cooking.
2. Large diameter well
This involves digging a large well with reinforced concrete walls to tap into the underground source in Vorovoro. This would mean, however, that all waste management (including sanitation) must be above ground. This is a challenge.
3. Drilling for a spring
As we have explained this may take some time as equipment is not currently in the North. But we will keep you posted.
4. Aquamaker
Ulai and I have discovered this awesome new technology that turns air into water. Its like a watercooler that has the ability to convert up to 40 litres of water a day into hot or cold drinking water. It requires the same kind of power to run as small fridge. One of these would be enough to cover all drinking water for up to 20 tribe members. This is a good off-the-shelf solution but costs a few $!
Tribe Time
There are lots of decisions being made by tribe members right now from what sanitation should be used on the island to whether we should go for the building of The Great Bure, as proposed by Tui Mali. Tribe members are also really wanting to get involved with the running and development of tribewanted and focus groups are being formed for tribe members to specifically look at aspects such as sanitation, accommodation, power, food, activities and more. This is a great way of tribe members inputting their knowledge, wisdom and experience into tribewanted in order to develop this truly unique Global experience.
Tribal Gatherings
Many gatherings have been taking place from London to LA. Tribe members are embarking on another camping trip to Devon (UK) and tribe members are crazily flying in from around the world to endure a survival weekend as they prepare for island living. To check out the latest gatherings please head over to the Chief's blog.
http://www.tribewanted.com/chiefs-blog.htm
Introducing Dan Keene: Island Activities Manager
Many tribe members will have met Dan already. Before we launched tribewanted Dan jumped at the chance to become the Island Acitivities Manager and only now has he been able to move into the role full time.
Dan is a man of the outdoors. With a degree in outdoor education and environmental studies at Edinburgh, a year working in the Australian bush and six months working at the UK's largest outdoor centre, Dan has the skills to manage and facilitate all the exciting, relaxing (and some wacky) activity ideas the tribe has. Having spent the last two years working in event management in London Dan has been itching to escape back to the outdoors, so when his brother Ben and a friend started talking about tribewanted Dan knew that his skills, passions and infectious enthusiasm would be perfect for Island life.
Dan's role on Vorovoro will be to draw on his outdoor and people management experience to co-ordinate all the different activities for tribe members during their stay. Dan will be working closely with the activities committee as a main point of contact for anyone who wants to organize an activity during their stay on Vorovoro.
Some things to look out for:
As we get closer to the first tribe members visiting the Island there is lots to prepare for: From feeding the tribe, tribal showers and how to contribute to the indigeneous community in Fiji. These will all become hot topics of conversation!
Vinaka for now, Tribewanted HQ
