Newsletter, September 12, 2006
From Tribewanted
Contents |
Tribbies
Another week on vorovoro and a whole load more adventure:
Tribewanted TV: Episodes 1 & 2:
It's great to see the blogs, to read the comments from 'First Footers' on the forum but there is nothing like seeing the real thing!
This week we have launched two new episodes of Tribe TV:
http://community.tribewanted.com/tribaltv/categories.rails
Once you have checked these out head over to the Tribe TV discussion area: http://community.tribewanted.com/forumcomm/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=410
Steve C's: A first footers perspective:
Hi folks
I wanted to share some of my first impressions of the island with you while on the mainland briefly on a shopping trip (not completely cut off from civilisation you see). Though as John W has said, this experience is more of an 'emotional journey' that doesn't always translate fully into words and pictures: lying on the beach by yourself at sunset, being sung to by a classroom of kids, building something that actually works etc.
I arrived on the 3rd (d'oh! missed the opening ceremony) at night, so all I saw through the gloom were people coming through the trees and onto the beach. Hard not to feel a bit apprehensive about what your going to find, but a friendly shout from Poques showed that I wasn't about to be cooked and eaten right there. So my first experience of the island was in the dark, trying to piece together the layout without being able to see the whole picture.
What struck me is how safe you feel here, wandering around in the dark.There is nothing really dangerous here to worry about as you tramp about through the trees - no muggers, no wild animals, no poisonous spiders. It's a great feeling to be able to explore without having to watch your back all the time. The same goes for having a bucket shower (amazing, thanks to those who built it). I'm not much of a nudist, but a quiet moment with nothing but you and the forest and the moonlight is truly magical. As well as being so refreshing - we spend a lot of time getting quite grubby here really (chop those fingernails before you come) and while you get used to it and a dip in the sea stops you getting mucky and smelly, the feeling of cleanliness after a shower is unparalleled.
Standing butt naked in the shower, aren't you going to get bitten alive? Well yes and no. There are mozzies about but they are really not that bad. I stopped using any anti-mozzie stuff after the first night. So you get some bites on your legs but nobody is itching too much, so it's a relief to find the insect problem is pretty minor. There are plenty of ants, some of which might give you a nip (or climb into your beer) and some HUGE spiders, but they pretty much just mind their own business.
To read the rest of Steve's update head over to Steve C's blog:
http://community.tribewanted.com/forumcomm/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=401
To read more from 'First Footers' and get involved in discussion head over to the ramblings from Chief Poques:
http://community.tribewanted.com/forumcomm/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=366
Fire
Fire on hillside of Vorovoro. No one hurt & no buildings damaged.
This morning a fire broke out in a casava plantation on the eastern side of the Vorovoro headland. The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.The fire spread onto the hillside of the main island peak and as of 9pm Fiji time it was under control and is expected to die out by the middle of Sunday. Once the situation had been assessed, tribewanted organised a boat evacuation from the island to a hotel in Labasa. Although there was no direct threat to tribe members this was done for the following reasons:
1) The personal safety of tribe members should the fire spread or re-ignite, especially at night.
2) To remove tribe members from the incident to a safe location
3) To give tribe members the opportunity to contact home and to get some rest
Several tribe members chose not to take the boat evacuation and decided to stay on the island. Tui Mali and his family remain on the island and are monitoring the fire. Bush fires are common in Fiji, sometime deliberate to clear out the debris and dry grass, so despite being alarming this not an unusual incident out here. The Tribewanted team would like to thank tribe members for their co-operation and concern for managing the fire during the day. In light of what has happened and as a result of what we find out to be the cause of the fire, tribewanted will be assesing fire hazards on the island and how we can prevent them happening again and make the procedure as smooth as possible. We are already getting first footers input into this process.
Do not worry about anyone – either first footers, team or Tui Mali's family, they are all safe and sound. We are also asssured that vegetation will grow back quickly as rainy season approaches. Tribe members are now getting a good night sleep. If anyone has any questions or concerns please email the admin at tribewanted.com
As one tribe member commented: "We said that we wanted adventure".
For tribe members response to the fire head over to the announcement:
http://community.tribewanted.com/forumcomm/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=405
Tribewanted Dream Foundation
The idea of the Dream Foundation was to have a charitable arm to tribewanted that was developed and overseen by tribe members. We are now wanting to move forward to the tribewanted dream foundation becoming reality. We have had a tribe member help us look into setting up a charitable trust nevertheless we need to be specific about the aims of tribewanted Dream Foundation.
So, this is where discussion takes place - we really want to hear what YOU think the aims of the Foundation should be?
Please give us your thoughts including: should their be a focus on where the money should go in particular with regards to both geographical location and types of causes etc.
Discuss away and let us hear (or more technically read) your thoughts! Head over to the Dream Foundation forum now:
http://community.tribewanted.com/forumcomm/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=392
Vote for November Chief
Dont forget to vote for your November Chief - only 7 days left until a decision is made, vote now. http://community.tribewanted.com/vote/list.rails
And more...
With an upcoming launch of the tribewanted online shop and lots of behind-the-scenes excitment soon to be launched stay tuned to www.tribewanted.com
Vinaka, Tribewanted HQ
