Well Bula from Fiji!

Well we have had an exciting couple of weeks here in the Fiji Islands.  Mostly because we had our first tropical depression hit the islands.  I am not talking about a mass movement of sad people, but a cyclone. What is a cyclone?  Technically speaking they form when the energy released by the condensation of moisture in rising air causes a positive feedback loop over warm ocean waters!  What does that mean? Well big winds and lots of rain! But for a more technical explanation I am going to quote Wikipedia.  

“A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and flooding rain. A tropical cyclone feeds on heat released when moist air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapour contained in the moist air. They are fueled by a different heat mechanism than other cyclonic windstorms such as nor’easters, European windstorms, and polar lows, leading to their classification as "warm core" storm systems.”

So what does that mean on the ground? Well being my first storm I have to say it was awesome.  Jeff Hommel  (Rivers Fiji Operations Manager) and I spent the afternoon checking in on the families that help support us, i.e. guides and drivers.  Driving through blinding rain, downed trees and power lines we headed up the Coral Coast to make sure everyone was safe and not in danger.  While looking for our driver Nareesh (he was already gone to higher ground) we evacuated Fijian family from their house that was about to be blown apart. As we packed the nine of us into the Rivers Fiji Landcruiser and headed to safety we were dodging roof sheet metal flying through the air! We had to get them to a cousins cement home.  We did, they were grateful and invited us in for a bowl of grog. But better judgment said we should get home, the eye of the storm had not yet reached our part of the island.  

Written by James

O.A.R.S. California & Oregon Regional Manager

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Bula and greetings from Fiji, O yau o James, and over the next couple of months I am going to be reporting on Fiji and the O.A.R.S. experience.  My goal is simple; Provide an inside glimpse of the Rivers Fiji daily adventures and the people that support them. Now that is a daunting task, considering the fact that I am a newly arrived visitor to this island nation. But I am sure with help from my friends here and all of you out there that you can help me on my way. So what exactly will I be writing about?  Everything that I come across, from kayaking down the Luva, Rafting down the Upper Navua, Visiting our partners like the village of Nakavika, and hopefully any little adventures you want to send me on. That’s right! This is going to be an interactive record that you will help with. Do you want to know how fresh water eels are caught? How about the pounding of Kava, Perhaps how traditional tattoos are given (Please don’t ask me to get one, I hear they are very painful) I have a couple of tools with me to help capture these details of life here, a handy video camera, a still camera and my laptop.  So if you want to send me on an adventure, just make a suggestion and we will find out where it leads us. Along the way I will try and give you little tidbits of information, like the fact that Tongans used to visit the islands in order to get feathers from the endemic red-breasted musk parrot. Or the fact that pottery shards dating back to 1290 BC have been found in the Sigatoka valley, just up the coast from our office.  Fiji is an island that holds daily discoveries, and I hope you will enjoy the adventure along with me. Au sa liu mada (see you later) James

Written by James

O.A.R.S. California & Oregon Regional Manager

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A member of the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies, Rivers Fiji is a whitewater rafting, inflatable kayaking, multi-sport eco-outfitter based out of Pacific Harbour in the Fiji Islands. Recently honored at the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards for "Best for Preservation of Cultural Heritage," Rivers Fiji was one of 35 companies singled out by the judges. In total, there were more than 2000 nominations submitted by travelers worldwide.

A prestigious honor indeed, but who is Rivers Fiji and why the recognition?

O.A.R.S. is indebted to longtime friends, Nate and Kelly Bricker, for assisting in the creation of Rivers Fiji and the Upper Navua Conservation Area. Nate and Kelly first visited Fiji as tourists in 1993. They returned in subsequent years, exploring deep into the interior of Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. In 1997, Nate was working for O.A.R.S.  Having just explored the Upper Navua River, he and Kelly enthusiastically talked to O.A.R.S. founder and president, George Wendt, about their vision of offering guided trips on the Wainikoriluva (‘luva) and Upper Navua rivers.

Written by Tracy

Writer, Photographer, former Waterblogged Editor

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