AN AMAZING SUNDAY IN THE VILLAGE

When we said goodbye to the Coral Coast this morning, we literally had no idea what was in store for us.  En route to Denerau Island we stopped at a “Village” not the Village on our itinerary but as divine intervention would have it, we were led to another which proved to be the inspiration we all needed today and a true blessing in more ways than one to those who so graciously received us.  We sat in and worshipped at the village’s Methodist Church and shared our free will offerings in their tithes box.

Next we were asked to visit their community hall to participate in a KAVA CEREMONY. I guess the drink is similar to cocoa tea in Colombia in that it slows you down, and de stresses  you.  This ritual is set aside for dignitaries as a welcome.  We were the first group to ever attend on a Sunday— their day of worship and rest.  We were honored.   Kava is a drink made from the pepper shrub and mixed with water then passed around to drink from the bowl and clapping of the hands. We had to designate two men, to act as our Chief and a Spokesman on the receiving end……yes….Cousins Van and Darryl respectively. They represented us very well.

After the ceremony we were told how they make their pottery, a process passed on from generations past.  A rare exception was made to allow us to purchase the very well made items.

On our onward journey to our next hotel on Denerau Island, our guide, Dan told us some fascinating Fijian history.  Over 3500 years ago it’s believed they set out in canoes from Thebes, traveled up the Nile to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) then over to FIJI Islands.  Of course some debate that but it’s taught in the schools. They are not just black but proudly say they are from Africa.

Back in those early days there were tribes. They were fierce warriors, good vessel builders and there was some cannabalism going on.   They would cook and eat their enemies in a heartbeat (no pun intended) smh. So, the last known meal was of the right Reverend Thomas Baker, a Methodist missionary from Sydney on a mission to introduce these heathens to Christianity.  Well, as the story goes in the late 1800’s; a Chief picked up the Reverend’s comb which got stuck in the Chief’s  nappy tight curls.  Baker upset, retrieved his comb from the  Chief’s hair.  In their custom; it’s disrespectful to touch another’s head.   That sealed Baker’s fate.  They chopped him up, boiled him and ate him.  They even boiled and boiled and boiled his leather boots thinking they were part of his legs but that leather was just too tough to eat.   The remnants of the boots are now in a museum in Suva.   Some years back,  descendants of that tribe have made ceremonial apologies to Baker’s descendants for what was done to him.

The SOFITEL FIJI RESORT AND SPA is a lovely property and Denerau Island is an exciting place to be.  Already, several have arranged to jet ski, parasail, cruise around the island and of course, my spa lovers will be visiting THE SO SPA.

We are here for another 5 nights with the beautiful people of FIJI who always greet everyone with BULA (hello) sometimes it’s BULA BULA and we have learned and know how to say VINAKA (thank you for all the wonderful services they provide us).