Friendly North Festival 2011

I will be the first to admit that I do not get excited about the Friendly North Festival. I guess I've never been a big fan of "fairs" - I have never been to the Indiana State Fair & only went to the county fair once to pick up a friend in high school.

coolest kid at the festival

This year at my school I was put on the committee to select a Queen candidate & then help her with all the prep for the week.  We selected a great girl, very smart and well spoken so I knew she would be good.  Our school also had a booth where they were planning on having a rummage-type sale.  I took this opportunity to donate some of the stuff at my house that I never use.  I'm not sure how much of it actually made it to the booth, or was bought up by the staff.

During this time I was also helping the midwifery school with their safe motherhood initiative.  Many women here do not seek prenatal care, so the goal of the school was to raise awareness on this issue.  We had a float with role plays of all the different Pillars of Safe Motherhood. It was really fun (but really hot) to be in the parade- so many people gathered around to watch, didn't know that many people lived here!

Our Queen did an excellent job discussing Safe Motherhood during all of her interviews.  She ended up being the Friendly North Queen!  Everyone was so excited.  The ladies I work with were up in the stands dancing around when she won.

g

Visitors from America

I have been so lucky in my 17 month service so far to have had many visitors - my family last year for Christmas & 2 friends this summer (winter in Fiji).  My latest guest came for 10 days.  I use their visits as an opportunity for me to see some places I've never been, so this trip the destination unknown was the Mamanuca's.

My friend arrived on Monday & we made our way out to Malolo island

We stayed at the Funky Fish Resort - SO beautiful & the staff were very friendly.  We felt right at home.  There were lots of great things about this place, but I really enjoyed the frozen drinks.

View from the bar

View from our bure

We went snorkeling, hiking, fishing (kind of), kayaking, had a kava session & relaxed for a few days. I even made coconut chutney.

Yes, I hike in flip fops

The trick is to look helpless, then a local will be happy to do it for you

Making chutney

It was sad to leave, but I had to start doing some work. The day we left it poured! Good travel day I guess.

Next stop on the adventure was getting to the Coral Coast.  I usually go by mini bus, but we waited over an hour for 6 more people to show - so we got a good deal on a taxi instead. We met up with another PCV once we arrived.

The next day we decided to do a kayaking trip in the interior with some of the PC girls.  I am so glad we decided to go at the last minute, so beautiful.

The next day I was doing some work while my friend got some quality beach time. Then we headed to Suva so we could catch our flight the next day.

waiting for someone to pick us up

The next day we were off to Taveuni. 

The runway

Another PCV lives in the village where we stayed, we did the waterfall hike, helped the kids make candles (int he dark), cooked dinner together & sat on the beach to enjoy the full moon. I taught the pcv how to teach aerobics to the ladies there.

playing with hot wax in the dark

they weren't invited to dinner

Roti!

half hundreds

We made our way back to "town" just in time to catch the sunset at dinner.  The next day I taught aerobics in another PCV's village.  It was great- 12 or so ladies came, we did an hour workout with cardio, muscle building and a little pilates mixed in. They were so much fun, I can't wait to go back soon! 

When I returned from the village, we walked the grounds of Bibi's to find some food to make. I love that place, they have so many fruit trees all around & you can pick whatever you like. So, I made coconut chutney again- its so delicious!

The next day we headed back to my house on the long boat/bus/bus ride. Luckily we took a lunch break in Savusavu & decided to get a taxi home.

they caught a fish on the trip over

home!

It was so nice to be able to show my friends back home a little bit of my life in Fiji......I think after this trip, I'll be getting more care packages with treats from America!

g