So much has happened in a few months !

Bula Everyone
It is a very long time since I wrote an entry on my Blog, but have kept people informed of our travels via Facebook.
April 11th was the last addition. Since then life has been wonderfully frantic, as my 43 students approached the last 2 months of their courses. As I write this, I have a few who are still minor tasks to submit.... a little late ! but hopefully will be able to graduate along with their classmates on Sept 18th here in Fiji.
In May I welcomed Marian Wilkinson from APTC office in Melbourne to assist me with Student assessment visits, she travelled to Rakiraki, Sigatoka and Suva, whilst I visited everyone around Nadi, and continuing to teach both the Cert 3 and Diploma groups and mark assignments !

Simon saw me briefly for meals before I worked for another three or four hours in the evenings after class ! Thankfully the 16 to 18 hour days are behind us now.
In late April, we shared time with some Hickson cousins from Sydney, who were holidaying in Denerau. Great to see them over here. Then on Mother's Day we shared lunch ( again on Denerau) with a delightful Girton school friend, Ekko Mitchell.

Christopher arrived on May 14th to spend time with us, as well as adventuring out to several islands in the Yasawa Group. It was nice to spend my Birthday with him too, enjoying Chinese at a new restaurant. We also enjoyed a Japanese meal too, whilst he was here. We took him to the north of the Island to Rakiraki and he and Simon spent a night in Suva, so he saw much more of the Fiji area than last year's visit. He left on the 30th May to return to Melbourne at the beginning of WINTER !
The next day we MOVED house ! My most supportive and loving Simon did 90% of the packing and organization for the move as I was caught up with work commitments. We are closer to work, but do not have a pool.... I miss my swims, but continue to walk each morning, this time near the airport, watching the planes land and take off, whilst humming along to my IPod for about 3kms ! Such a great place to live and work... I still pinch myself each day and feel so privileged to have this opportunity.
Lauren plans to come over in the next few months, before it becomes too hot again. It is very dry at present and cooler at night, about 22. Perfect sleeping weather. Day time is about 27 degrees. She will like our new place, the kitchen bench is about 4 metres long ! something we have never HAD in 34 years of wedded bliss !
For the rest of June, I spent many hours continuing to mark assignments and finalize results. We shared very memorable last classes with the Cert 3 students and then the Diploma students. The latter ones, have been together for 18 months , twice per week, so the bonds they have formed are very strong and hope will be lifelong friendships. Many of my current close friends I met at Kindergarten Teacher's College in 1973 ! wow ! you have to say that date quickly !
Simon and I flew home to Melbourne on June 26th for about 2 weeks. I worked in at Box Hill TAFE for the first week, entering my students' results and catching up with staff. Great to be home with our lovely family again. But, what a change in weather !
We shared many lunches, dinners, morning teas and Simon caught up with golfing mates.
Lauren and I spent an afternnon at the Melbourne Zoo, something we have not done for amny years ! one is never to old to goo and gaa at the animals, especially the delightful baby elephant, Mali. ( the subject of another Blog entry I feel)
On July 14th it was time to return to our second home... the stunning land of Fiji and the amazing people. We are continually drawn back. My contract for 6 months is being continually extended as I cannot imagine not teaching and living here.
Tomorrow, I have a new group of students. This time it will be different as I have a different delivery mode. I will teach all day Monday, Tuesday and Friday and on Wednesday and Thursday, they will go into a local Kindergartens ( with my previous students) for placement experience. I will visit them as often as I can and then asses them, twice in the 6 month Certificate 3 of Children's Services course. They have left their Kindergartens and their families,in their own Pacific countries to come to study full time in Fiji. My previous students were all part time and from Fiji. These have travelled from Federated Sates of Micronesia, Kiribati and Tuvalu. I am sure to learn a great deal from them all and I am very excited to meet everyone.

Our 2nd Easter in Fiji .....

After visiting and assessing several students in Suva area last week, we (and the car ) boarded the ferry on Easter Thursday afternoon called " Spirit of Harmony" headed for Levuka on the east coast of Ovalau. It was pouring rain and the ferry was delayed for 3 hours ! So our spirits were not very harmonious !
However, we were still excited to finally arrive on the west side of the island at Buresala and then drive in the heavy rain for an hour in the pitch black, around the coastal road ( only one road ) to Levuka. Our accommodation was at the Royal Hotel, the oldest operating hotel in Fiji ! We had booked one of their cottages with a sea view !
It was somewhat basic and a little "tired" in appearance , but felt homey and the staff were most welcoming and helpful. Good Friday was good weather and from then on it deteriorated , ending spectacularly with an electrifying thunderstorm on our last night, Sunday night !
Friday was spent sightseeing, by walking around the historical township, capturing on camera the many old church and school buildings. We were intrigued by the elaborate deep, colonial style drainage system, which worked a treat a few nights later ! We climbed the 199 steps to the Mission and saw where the Deed of Cession was signed. The museum was small , but fascinating , the exquisite buttons made from local pearl shells, particularly caught my eye. There is a large fish cannery PAFCO which was set up to be the economic base for Levuka and Ovalau for the past 40 years or so, employing over 1,000 people ! These products are exported world wide !
The Sacred Heart Church in the main street, just down from our hotel, housed a rare antique French clock which struck on the hour, each hour of the night and day, twice each time ! Once, then one minute later in case you missed it the first time ! most unusual and a little "off putting" in the wee hours of the morning ! We spent hours on our cottage veranda, reading and chatting to the lovely Levuka people and a few other tourists as they wandered past. We met a delightful German couple, Charlotte and Gerhard, and shared our last evening with them during the storm. We had no power in the town or water ( in the pipes) I waded through knee deep water to our cottage, by torchlight, using Simon's large golf umbrella, to gather a few bits and pieces for dinner. I found cheese, pickled onions, local avocado and dry biscuits, along with a few Easter treats for the four of us for our picnic style dinner. We washed these down by candlelight in the main hotel with a few cold wines ! Just amazing ! It rained heavily for about 4 hours from 5.00pm until about 9 pm. The main street of Levuka was like a river ! One of the local wise hotel staff had predicted it at 4.30pm saying to us " big rain coming soon" and it sure did ! The next morning we had to be at the wharf by 4.00am to catch the ferry back to the mainland. We will fondly remember our adventurous Easter in Levuka. Simon is now back in Australia and I return next Sunday for a week.
The weather is becoming a little milder here.... but only slightly. The swimming pool water is cooler and more refreshing now... Just love being able to come home after work and have a "dip" before dinner!

We are safe ...

Bula everyone,
Thank you to our family and friends who were concerned for our safety recently during Cyclone Tomas. It's path was uncertain at first, however, it soon became clear that it would effect the outer islands and perhaps the Suva side of Fiji. The devastation is enormous and many of the islands will never be the same. We experienced heavy rain and some strong winds for a brief period, but not as fierce as Cyclone Mick last December.
The past few weeks have been extremely busy with our friend and work colleague, Bambi joining us here in Nadi. It was a "talk fest" and Simon was caught in the middle ! tried to get a word in occasionally, but gave up and went back to the challenging crosswords and stalking insects ! However, we were able to show Bambi some of our favourite views, beaches, restaurants etc, combining it with many student assessment visits and team teaching classes.
Simon and I headed north of Nadi for 3 days to Tavua and into the interior of Fiji to the villages of Waikubukubu and Nadrau to assess students, whilst Bambi taught my class. The roads were very rocky, narrow and a slippery due to heavy rain. Thank goodness for the 4 wheel drive ! Simon shared the driving as it required very close concentration for 3 hour stints ! The scenery however in the mountainous interior of Fiji was stunning ! I had only seen it from the air previously and was captivated by the "kodak" calendar type views at every turn ! Simon took over 300 shots in the few days. Thank goodness for digital cameras. We were warmly welcomed into both villages and treated to kava ceremonies and given gifts of appreciation of our visits. Both students travel incredibly long distances to classes and operate stimulating Kindergarten programs for the Fijian children with very few resources, as we know them.
Bambi's husband Bryce joined her for her last week here and they stayed out at Denerau Island where we joined them for golfon on one day. My game was rather rusty, but we shared a fun time together. I was still working but Simon was then able to act as a tour guide for them both down to Natadola beach ( reportedly the 7th most beautiful beach in the world) and to see the multi million dollar Inter-Continental Hotel and Golf Course ( an extremely windy place !) It was a most enjoyable time ,both professionally and personally. Bambi was able to witness the work of the APTC team and gain a better understanding of the whole Aus Aid project and I valued her professional advice and support.
Simon and I have booked a trip to Levuka on the island of Ovalau for our Easter break. Levuka was the capital of Fiji before Suva and it is very colonial in appearance, a little like Sovereign Hill in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. As we love history, I am certain that it will be a wonderful experience. Simon flies home on April 9th for 2 weeks and I follow on 18th April for one week. I am required to attend a meeting Melbourne for 3 days, however, it will also great to see our delightful family....
The weather is still very humid and oppressive at times... but it will improve soon as we are coming to the end of the cyclone season.... hopefully. The only downside of living in the tropics... otherwise... " magic" every day....

Our return to Fiji in 2010. We celebrate living and working for 12 months here this week !!!!

Bula everyone !
I feel somewhat embarrassed as we have been back here for one month now and this is only my first entry for 2010 ! We have both settled back into the pacific way of life and cannot help but think how different it was for us both this time last year. Life here is wonderfully busy and passes by so quickly !
The weather here in Nadi is very hot and humid, however, we have only had a little rain, in spite of it being the WET season. The local people are complaining as it is so dry ! It is about 35 each day but feels like 45 ! Simon has only briefly ventured onto the golf course as it is just SO hot, even at 7.30 in the morning it can be 30 or more. Daylight saving ends here on April 25th and in Australia on 4th April ( Easter Sat) so for a few weeks there will be 3 hours time difference ! hard for skyping in the evenings ! The Government here have just altered the school start time from 8.00am to 9.00am as children were getting up for school and travelling long distances in the dark ! It will be interesting to see whether they introduce daylight saving again next summer. This was the first time that they have had it since 2000 as it was so unpopular here !
My students have all returned and are most eager to complete the course by June. We have an important APTC meeting in Melbourne in mid April, so will be home for about a week, Simon a little longer. Lauren and Christopher are both planning to "pop" across again which will be great. Other visitors are very welcome !
Our long time friend and now work a colleague at Box Hill Institute, Bambi, is arriving next Tuesday 23rd Feb. to assist with student assessment visits. This will be a great opportunity to see the work of the APTC project here in Fiji. Every morning when I leave for work, I whisper to myself, "another day in Paradise" and do have to continually pinch myself as to this incredible chance that I am experiencing here in the Pacific. I highly recommend a teaching "stint" overseas to anyone who may be contemplating it.
I have a contract until the end of June, however, we will see what happens after that. There is another Cert 3 in Children's Services starting with students coming to Fiji for 6 months full time from many other pacific islands. It is very tempting.
As I write this blog entry I can hear the numerous geckos making their " loud clicking" sound as they chomp away at the many tiny insects around the hotel lights. There are more geckos than guests ! and more cockroaches too ! They scuttle away very quickly when they see Simon approaching with the big red spray can of Mortein !
Our hotel is very quiet at present, with less APTC staff this year and less tourists at present due to the supposedly wet season and awful humidity, things are not as lively as previously. In several months the pool will be very crowded and we will be hoping for quiet again ! It is a treat to walk that 60 metres for a nice dip either before or after work in the evenings when the water in the pool has cooled down, other wise it is like having a warm bath !
As a part of our celebrations this week, we visited Vuda Point, 20 minutes north of here last Sunday evening. It is where I spent my first whole day in Nadi last year, after a luxurious, yet primitive, mud bath at Sabeto and then I enjoyed a crispy pizza with 3 work colleagues initiating me into teaching life with APTC. Memories are made of these cherished moments and I certainly have accumulated 12 months of these now. Enough to write a book......mmmmmm... one day perhaps in my retirement. If I were a civil servant here in Fiji I would need to retire this May when I turn 55 ! gosh Frank Bainimara must not have been discussing this with John Howard ! He had other ideas about our working life capacity didn't he ? ! 55 is way too young... I have so many things I would like to do in my working life as yet...... another country perhaps ?