I received a phone call this morning from Peceli in Labasa. He spent the weekend with the Mali Island people and he said they are prepared for the tribewanted visitors on September 1st and the building of the first large bure. Fijian people are very hospitable and the Mali Island people are responding positively to the Vorovoro Island project. Let's hope that all goes well with the important first steps in building low technology infrastructure to suit twenty or more visitors. The plan to co-operate by working together - islanders and visitors - is the way to go.
The pic is of two Mali girls (taken some time ago) washing dishes at Nukutatava which is 20 minutes by outboard to Vorovoro Island. You can see Mali Island in the background.
W.
This should be interesting to see how it all unfolds.
ReplyDeletePeceli says the Mali people are delighted with the prospect of having visitors and the potential for moderate development. But I can imagine there will be snags ahead. Who is going to pay for the food etc? I do hope that visitors won't sponge on the kindness of the hosts, nor will the hosts expect generous gifts for years to come. I'm not happy when I hear a story - down near Navua - of villagers expecting tourists to hand out boats and engines and building materials readily.
ReplyDeleteW.
From Jordan
ReplyDeleteThank you Grandma for your posting. I love you