Bula sia,

The weather here is on the turn. The sea is warming up, the sun is brighter and the rains are often lingering on the horizon. The sea changes colour from aquamarine to blue, blue to green, green to groggy brown and back to aquamarine all in the space of a couple of bilos on the beach.

On Monday we were invited to Naqai, where boat captain Api lives, for a soli and to celebrate Fiji Day. Each Matagali (family group) had their own decorated celebration area, music and cava and lots of different mekes were performed in the middle. We were settling into our grog, cake and chat when the heavens opened and tried to wash us away. Jone Robinson and Api were quick to the rescue, finding cane knives close at hand; they dug a trench around the celebration area to divert the water. Vinaka na quick thinking. The celebrations continued.

Tuesday saw sevusevu day, where Vilus our latest tribe member presented his kava and became the first Lithuanian on Vorovoro. Tui Mali was much impressed and invited Vilus, or Delusa as he became known, to help him garden the next day down in the village. They were busy all day, working in the hot sun and both agreed that the only way to finish a good days work of this nature would be around the grog bowl on the beach before Tui Mali had to leave.

Friday came and we headed to Ligalevu for the Schools Family Fun Day Soli. It was a day to celebrate; national library week, Fiji Day, Teachers and Diwali. There were speeches, songs, stories and laughter in the church hall as each year group presented their pieces. We were even treated to a fancy dress contest afterwards where Jim and I were the judges. We saw many of the boys dressed as girls, some of the girls dressed as boys and everything in between. We had a magical day.

On Saturday we all headed into town to visit Graham, our sawdust supplier, and have some drinks around his pool and catch up. We were all hesitant to step off the boat however before the dogs had been mollified and introduced to us, none more so than Jone and Tale, who were eyeing up the nearest tree to climb if needs must. After Graham’s we headed to AJ’s for Diwali celebrations.

Driving through Labasa I was amazed to see the number of lights which had been strung up outside most of the houses, it was like Christmas in the UK or America, but without the waving Santas or sleighs and a lot more fireworks happening all over the place.

We were treated to lots of delicious Indian sweets, curries and fireworks, which his 4 year old daughter was extremely excited about, even though it made me nervous to see her skipping around with a box of matches and a bag of fireworks!

We are really lucky to be able to visit so many different people and places and to feel so welcomed. Where else would you get such an all encompassing cultural experiences?

Vinaka vaka levu,

Marama Jessica