Dec 1, 2022

Food of the Earth

The evolution of food has always had a direct and significant correlation to the advancement of humans.

 The way people consumed and cooked their food has been indicative of the changing times and evolving societies. 



Crude stone toils were fashioned by prehistoric cavemen to hunt and kill their food, and the all-important discovery of fire would change the way people eat food. 

How the early humans discovered fire and created the first barbecue is a story only we can hypothesise, but one thing is for sure, the shift to a cooked diet was a pivotal point in human history. 

From tools and fire, to the formation of civilisations and colonies, the story of fore continued to be tied to the structures of people and society. Food started being classified according to hierarchy or its consumers, food for the chief, food for warriors, royal cuisine, and poor man, fore. 



In the Pacific, this evolitionary tale of our sustenance evokes a common thread through subterranean fore pits. Pacific Islanders we and journeyed across the oceans as communities. 

Once they put down roots on an island, they created their villages and communities around important food and water sources. 

They also brought with them on these long journeys, the knowledge of cooking fore under the ground. 

While earth ovens were used by many civilisations, they are still commonly found and practised in the To this day, throughout the Pacific, different island nations have their cwn versions of the earth oven. 

In Fiji we call it lovo In Rotuma it is a Iona. Tongan and Samoans call theirs umu.





https://www.pressreader.com/fiji/fiji-time/20221101/281921661956630/textview 

https://www.pressreader.com/fiji/fiji-time/20221101/page/41 

Nov 5, 2022

Back in history: Second largest ship built

 The Tui Tai, a ship which was 40m in length, was the second largest ship ever to be built in Fiji during the late 1970s.



She had seating capacity and other facilities to accompany more than three hundred day passengers.

She was built primarily to serve Beachcomber and Treasure Island resorts from Lautoka and the Coral Coast, but was also available for charter and other special trips within the Fiji group and to Rotuma.

Highlighted in The Fiji Times on December 17, 1980, the Tui Tai was believed to be one of the finest ships built by local boatbuilders.

To save fuel, for added propulsion and to give the vessel extra stability, safety and romantic appeal; the Tui Tai had been rigged as a stay-sail schooner, with three tall aluminium masts and 6000 square feet of sail.

The masts, were estimated to be higher than the top of Dominion House in Suva.

The masts had been manufactured by Yacht Spars of New Zealand, and was installed by a New Zealand team headed by Max Carter; a former manager of Millers boatyard in Suva. Mr Carter also designed the rigging.

The sails were from Hoods, New Zealand, and were ordered through David Lackie, of Suva.

The cloth was a special ultra-violet ray resistant synthetic and was the colour of a tropical sunset.

The diesel propulsion motors were of the famous English Gardner brand, regarded by many experts as the best and most economical in the world.

The auxiliary motors and alternators were GMS from Clyde Engineering, Suva.

All motors were of mounted and coupled for vibration-free silence, and the engines were freshwater cooled, using the twin bilge keels as heat exchangers.

Exhausts and mufflers were made of stainless steel, with water injection for coolness , fume and noise reduction.

The hydraulic steering gear was made by Wagner Engineering, of Canada. Engine controls to the wheelhouse were also hydraulic and are from Hydronic Corporation of US.

The New Zealand aid international firm of carboline helped with the supervising of the high quality painting called for in the specifications.

The wheelhouse was particularly well-equipped with navigational instruments and remote controls.

Aft of the wheelhouse is particularly a VIP lounge and the master’s cabin and bathroom.

Also on the top deck was a spacious and comfortable covered seating area and a large Rosawa-planked sun deck,· with provision for emergency or alternate steering right aft.

The principal seating area was on the main deck adjoining the bar, lounge and dance floor.

The seating was of restaurant style rather than the more common bus-type arrangement.

This made it easier for passengers to move about and get to know each other.

The bar was very well-equipped, having a 10 cubic meter (35 cubic feet) bottle cooler, pre-mix cordial carbonating machines, a draught beer dispenser, an ice-maker and a fruit and cocktail mixer-dispenser.

The cargo hatch, with boat stowage and a substantial electric anchor winch by EMF Australia and a derrick for handling cargo and boats, was also on this deck.

A particular special feature was the beautifully fitted Rosawa planking following the’ ship’s sheer.

On the lower deck were quarters and facilities for the crew, toilets and showers for passengers, freezer, galley and store, fire-fighting, flooding controls.

In front of the crew accommodation was an 80 tonne cargo hold.

Watertight bulkheads separated the chain locker and hold, as well as the crew accommodation with the engine room and steering flat.

The engine room was also exceptionally well-equipped. A large sewage-waste-sullage tank was fitted together with all the pumping systems required for such a vessel.

Special care had been taken to avoid any possibility of environment pollution.

The Tui Tai had double bottom tanks and was able carry 16,000 gallons of fresh water to service the Beachcomber and Treasure Island resorts.

The double bottoms were also an additional safety feature.

All tanks were arranged so that if empty, they could be filled with salt water to increase stability if the ship ever had to ride out a hurricane.

https://www.fijitimes.com/back-in-history-second-largest-ship-built/ 

Sep 28, 2022

UNWTO Tourism Stories Pacific - Fiji, Kasimiro Taukeinikoro

Kasimiro Taukeinikoro is the owner of Rivers Fiji (Upper Navua Conservation Area - UNCA). 

Before COVID-19, his team operated rafting activities three times a week in the UNCA with international tourists, but also multi-day camping and cultural trips and employing 18 local river guides and 3 office staff.

After COVID-19 hit, business as usual stopped due to the closing of borders. 

Kasimiro shifted his business model to domestic tourism and reduced his activities prices to 75% the usual costs to keep paying his guides (no benefit for the company), helped the efforts of the Ministry of Health to carry the vaccines on a volunteering basis to remotely located communities difficult to access (through the Duavata Collective), consistently supported the conservation efforts of the UNCA, notably via the EcoChallenge races involving young people of the communities.


Find all the stories 📰 https://bit.ly/3pAmSIP 

Aug 28, 2022

Marine Rescue Ambulance Update - August 2022

 Bula vinaka,

Hope this finds you well and in good spirits.


Further to our recent opening of our 600 square meter Emergency Medical Services Medic Centre facility located at level 1. Port Denarau Marina as mentioned over the past weeks please find the latest update on our Marine Rescue Ambulance.


Emergency Medical Services (Fiji) has just received delivery of its new purpose built medevac rescue boat named;  ‘’EMS Marine Rescue’’

 

 

The vessel is an aluminium single hull 7.8 metre boat powered by twin 175 HP 4 stroke Suzuki Outboards engines.

Currently the vessel is at Port Denarau Marina having the engines fitted & undergoing the final stages of the MSAF survey requirements.

Marine Rescue will be based at Port Denarau and operate  24/7

 

The vessel installations include:

 

·         AIS Radar, Satellite phones & internet, GPS tracking, High powered day/night search lights, FLIR Thermal imaging Camera

·         An extensive emergency trauma medical kit - Enclosed Cabin On Board stretcher - room for 3 patients to lay down and be treated

·         The latest digital diagnostic equipment- Portable X-Ray, Ultrasound, ECG, AED, LifePak, Vitals Monitor, Onboard & portable medical oxygen

·         Advanced drugs including inotropes, antiarrhythmics, sedatives and, neuromuscular blockers

·         Musculoskeletal - complete range of immobilisation and spinal equipment

·         Marine surf rescue kit

The boat has it's own trailer that allows the boat to be mobilised to any location site in Fiji for conferences, events and film production sites.

 Marine Rescue’s medical team will consist of EMS’s  doctors, emergency nurses and paramedics. 

Patients will be treated on-site and those requiring emergency treatment or surgery will be stabilised then transferred to the appropriate medical facility. 

Please Call me 222 0909

 

Best regards,

 

 

Graeme Hedge

CEO – Paramedic

Helipro (Fiji) Pte Limited



Jun 24, 2022

Adventure Awaits in Fiji…for Everyone!

 Pristine waters, white sand beaches, and lush rainforests make up a perfect natural wonderland for a plethora of adventure activities. 

Whether your clients are traveling with friends, family, or solo, Fiji is one big playground for all ages and levels of adventure. From culturally immersive experiences to adrenaline-pumping activities and everything in between, there’s adventure to be found for all in Fiji.

From culturally immersive experiences to adrenaline-pumping activities and everything in between, there’s adventure to be found for all in Fiji.

Whether your client prefers soft adventure experiences like jet boating up a river and spending the afternoon with the locals in a traditional Fijian village, jet-skiing around the islands, or snorkeling from dawn to dusk, to the more thrilling adventures like shark diving, surfing Cloudbreak, or white-water rafting (or perhaps a happy a mix of everything!), you’ll be able to make it happen for them in Fiji.

As an island destination, Fiji is of course known for its water-based activities. Take your pick from stand-up paddling and floating on a billibilli to river tubing and kayaking. If your clients are scuba certified, Fiji has incredible world-renowned sites like the Rainbow Reef, Namena Marine Park and the Bligh Waters, however, Fiji is also a dream destination for those looking to get certifited. It’s known as the “Soft Coral Capital of the World” and Fiji’s underwater beauty will be sure to mesmerize divers of all levels.

Divers exploring a coral reef, Yasawa Islands. Fiji’s underwater beauty will be sure to mesmerize divers of all levels.

If land adventure is preferred, try one of Fiji’s many hikes. No matter where you are in Fiji, you can always spot a hill or mountain in the distance just waiting to be explored. Hike through lush rainforests or walk through the highlands for seriously jaw dropping views. For those looking to get off the beaten path, head out on a multi-day hiking excursion with Talanoa Treks who will take you through Fiji’s remote interior. Explore muddy tracks on a 4wD quad bike with Go Dirty Tours or zip through forest canopies with Zipline Fiji. No matter the experience, plan accordingly so that your client can cool off in one of the country’s many majestic waterfalls.

Get to know the locals and experience Fijian customs through cultural-based activities. Visiting a local village is a unique way to learn more about Fiji’s rich culture and further engage with its warm people. Engage in a traditional kava ceremony and indulge in an authentic lovo dinner. From mild to wild, Fiji promises to thrill!

Visiting a local village is a unique way to learn more about Fiji’s rich culture and further engage with its warm people.

If you’re looking to strengthen your Fiji knowledge so that you can better sell Fiji to your clients, Tourism Fiji recently launched a brand new Matai Specialist Program. The new program is more user-friendly with upgrades including a three-tiered interactive course (Bronze, Silver & Gold), a Knowledge Center to ask (or answer) your Fiji planning questions, and a Resource Center that has useful printables to include in your client documents. To register and learn more go to: https://specialist.fiji.travel/.

For general travel information about Fiji please visit: https://www.fiji.travel/

Tourism Fiji is the Fijian government’s tourism marketing arm and is responsible for promoting Fiji as a visitor destination around the world. The tourism industry contributes significantly to Fiji’s economy as the country’s largest foreign exchange earner. Located in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji is comprised of 333 tropical islands due north of New Zealand and east of Australia. While known for its luxurious private islands, all-inclusive resorts, pristine environments, culinary delights, and outdoor adventures, Fiji is most widely celebrated for its culture and unique “Bula” spirit. Fiji is easily accessible through direct 10-hour flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco or 6 hours from Honolulu via Fiji Airways.

https://www.adventuretravelnews.com/adventure-awaits-in-fiji-for-everyone