13 more sleeps...........

Bula !
After a week of dry heat wave conditions, my brain is a little befuddled, as I try to remember everything that needs to be done, both here at home and at work, before our departure. I have had 6 vaccinations in the past 2 weeks and feel a bit pin-cushion-like !
But of course all very necessary for the Pacific region.
People say the temperature rarely reaches more than the low 30's in Fiji, but the level of humidity makes it feel hotter ! No 45 degree days thank heavens...
Last night Simon and I enjoyed a wonderful farewell celebration with some close friends and this morning, a scrumptious brunch with my very special ex-work colleagues. Other kind friends, family and current work colleagues have planned more farewells for the next 2 weeks !
We also have my mother-in-law's 90th Birthday celebrations on Feb.13th, which is a great milestone.
Vinaka vaka levu !

Getting closer now !

Getting closer and closer ...... only 3 weeks to go now !
We bought two extra suitcases this week...very spiffy "spinner" style ones with four wheels ! Simon's is beautiful shiny black and mine is stunning silver !
We are now registered with skype so can communicate frequently from Fiji !
Lots of little tasks to do at work and home, gradually being ticked off !

The Fiji floods

The Fiji floods appear to be subsiding, however it will take a long time for the country to recover from the worst flooding in decades. Apparently, many shops in Nadi will not be able to re-open as the small family businesses were not insured. Our apartment and the College where I will be teaching, are north of Nadi itself, luckily on higher ground.
People say that the Fijians are most resilient and are getting on with the clean up.
At this stage, I will fly out on the weekend of the 14th Feb. and Simon one week later. I am back at work here this week, preparing materials for Kerryn, the teacher who is returning from Fiji. We will overlap over there for two weeks which will be wonderful.
My other task this week is to clear my desk..... which is a mammoth job in itself ! What do I take ? what do I leave behind ? excess baggage ? oh dear.....

Getting Ready

For the past four days I have attended a pre-departure briefing at BHI, along with ten other staff heading to the Pacific region. We hope that we can get there, with the recent flooding in Fiji.
Great to meet with everyone. We feel that many questions have been answered. Bring it on !