Philippe, November 2006

From Tribewanted

Me and my girlfriend Justine visited Vorovoro back in November as part of a round the world trip, but unfortunately could only stay for 1 week. But it was comfortably the best week of my life, let alone our 5 month trip around the globe!

It was just such an incredible experience, starting in the crazy Labasa, where everyone is so friendly and welcoming. You pick up a couple of sulus and some Kava as Lucy said, then comes the best part! The boat trip to our beautiful island, it was incredible to see it for real for the first time as you pass round the headland, literally breathtaking... and it hits you, you're here!!

We actually arrived on Lusiana's birthday and there was a bit of a party had, with steaks on the bbq and lots of beers and i believe a little bounty rum was consumed! You'll find out about that lethal stuff when you get there, lets say it can bring people out of their shells! A very funny night and a great way to be welcomed into the family!

There wasn't a whole lot of activity going on the week we were on the island, it was the week after the opening of The Great Bure, so everyone was pretty much on holiday! But the experience you have on Vorovoro is entirely what you make it. The only pressing issue was the lack of water, but without any materials we couldn't solve that issue, there was no need for extra accommodation, with 5 or 6 tribies on the island maximum, so we made up our own mini project! We designed a giant Kerplunk (a game along the lines of Jenga, but you have to remove sticks from a frame without marbles falling out) with a twist, using bamboo and coconuts instead of straws and marbles! It was great fun just to have a go at something completely random, figuring out how to make it, and leaving our mark for others to enjoy now!

When you get to the island, make sure you get out on a fishing or snorkelling trip or both! We did, you might even remember the picture of Jus and her giant Yellow Finned Tuna on the newsletter a few weeks back! It was easily the best fish any of us had ever had, even Gemma (from Shine) who doesn't like fish liked it!!

We were absolutely gutted to leave the island, but they really broke us, by taking us to the local school en route back to Labasa to see all the kids. Their beautiful voices, and so LOUD! It was a heart renching, but perfect way to end our stay on the island, to see the real point of Tribewanted. Making a difference to the people of Mali, not just by giving them money, but through jobs, helping improve their homes and schools.

There've been a few good threads started recently about developing the accommodation on the island, where tribies carry on where a previous tribie left off. But there are problems with materials, which we found when on the island, but if that's the case then you can find another way to leave your mark and help the community.

Anyway I can't wait till Ben gets the internet up and running on the island, that will make such a difference. I was quite against the idea when on the island as I felt it would spoil the experience, but now I've decided thats bo****ks!! How else can the online community have an input? It'll help Ben too as he won't have to spend so much time away from the island in Labasa. We might even finally get some tribal TV! But everyone has to be patient! This is Fiji we're talking about, and things are pretty laid back out there!

Well I've rambled enough now, feel free to check out our travelsite with pics and a journal of our time on Vorovoro. You'll find them in the links on the right of the site, under "my photo albums" www.statraveljournals.com/jusnphil.

Philippe!

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