February 2005
G'day
In March last year we invited the Getaway crew to
visit one of our villages, so we were delighted when told that their best
known personality Catriona Rowntree would spend a few days with our hosts
at Namatakula (find out more
about Namatakula at this link).
Image right: Perfect hosts, Simon and Judith Batibasaga join me for breakfast on one of my many visits.
Catriona and her team were given a very special time by Judith and Simon Batibasaga - ably assisted by the close-knit village community. There was snorkelling, octopus catching (I understand Catriona caught one with her bare hands after Tema showed her how), a traditional lovo feast, music late into the night by the village band and, of course, a feature rugby match on the rugby field at Namatakula where the Wallaby's star winger Loti Tuqiri first played rugby (Loti grew up in the village).
I am not going to tell you any more but would encourage all our Australian recipients of this newsletter to watch "Getaway" on Channel 9 at 7.30pm on the evening of Thursday the 17th February and find out about the real FijiBure.com experience by reporters who have been there! On a good night some two million Australians (or about ten percent of the population) sit down to watch "Getaway" - not bad coverage!
In the meantime you can download a great "Getaway Screensaver" for your computer at this link. Getaway's website is at this link.
For those of you who recall my email about the the fiasco in October last year involving another Australian television station, Channel 7, and their current affairs crew the good news is that the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) which investigates grossly sub-standard television production has decided to act on evidence that we feel speaks for itself. We have been advised in writing by the ABA last week that they have "asked the licensee to provide a response regarding its compliance with relevant provisions of the Code". (Scan of their letter at this link). I would once again like to thank so many of you for your support at that critical time.
I will obviously keep you posted on the results as they come to
hand. Unsurprisingly Channel 7s illustrious current affairs program
has been in breach of the broadcasting Code of Conduct several times in the
past.
You
can find out more about this at the ABA's web site.
Some classic signs seen on my travels:
In a Fijian Doctor's reception (Nadi) - image right:
In a Yugoslavian hotel:
In a Bangkok dry cleaner's:
In the office of a Roman doctor: |
We are delighted to have Nancy and her team based at Nadi International Airport backing up FijiBure.com. Not only do they offer to meet and greet all guests who have booked through FijiBure.com but they organise transport, fill-in accommodation (such as overnight stays in Nadi) and an Internet connection for a quick email home saying that you arrived safely. They do NOT organise village homestays - that can only be done through FijiBure.com
The teething problems have been put to bed and I want to extend big thank you to our support crew in Fiji for the great work that they are doing.
Happy Birthday to Jennifer from
Victoria:
Image right: a feast at Naiseuseu on Beqa Island
Mottel, I kept my word ... but now that Jennifer is currently well ensconced at the village of Naiseuseu in Fiji where there is no Internet connection and no emails I have a secret to share with all our email recipients... Jenny chose the village of Naiseuseu to celebrate her birthday and her good friends in Melbourne put their hands in their pockets and, with our assistance, organised a few special surprises for Jenny on her birthday, tomorrow, the 9th February. She knows nothing about this surprise - Ben will be taking her for a walk around Beqa Island that afternoon while the villagers prepare a lovo feast as well as surprise serenading by the village band and their excellent village choir. (You can hear extracts of their singing from the FijiBure.com Music CD at this link).
The 9th of February is a special day for me as well - I turn 50 (I must be getting old - I'm starting to brag about my age!). How I wish I was in a Fijian village and not slaving away to keep up with our western culture, housing loans, credit cards and the rest!
The village of the month has got to be Namatakula. With the coverage that they will be getting through "Getaway" we anticipate that their guest house will be full well into the year, and we are delighted because of the financial spin-off that happens right through the village. The village fun in Namatakula is now running into the thousands of dollars and this urgently needed money is being put to good use.
Having said that if you are considering a village homestay don't wait too long to book. We only allow small numbers of guests to maximise personal attention and enjoyment of the culture. And don't overlook our other excellent villages - Namuamua is my emotional favourite!
Scott Balson
