23 - 27 Aug, Nakorovou Village, Ra District, Viti Levi, Fiji

 

It was almost a month ago when we spent four nights with Mere and her family: Jona (husband), Kasa, Emosi, Waqa, little Mere.  High up in the mountains, their farm is next to a crystal clear river and the village where their extended family lives. We are on a boat now travelling to another island and talking about those days, our feelings and impressions as it’s time to share it with you. We’ve quickly come to the conclusion that we cannot express with words these awesome days: the real impact it has made on both of us, the feeling of timelessness and that special piece of our hearts which belongs to them now.

 

 

Sunday is the day of church and family lunch.

 

Waqa and little Mere having fun

 

 

 

 

Kasa is a great company for walking around. Visiting the school is a must, as always.

 

 

 

One has to dress appropriately for church.

 

 

 

Jona (Mere’s husband) spending a few hours to build a bili-bili (bamboo raft) for us. Rafting is fun, especially when there’s somebody else to paddle!

 

 

 

Kasa guiding us to the nearby waterfalls

 

 

Fruit bats and birds come at dusk looking for a suitable tree to sleep on.

 

 

 

There are fern leaves in Kasa’s hand, collected for dinner.

 

 

The cows are essential, not only for ploughing but also for carrying water from the river. 

 

Break-feast with Mere, little Mere, a boy from the extended family and Waqa. We are able to spend a lot of time with the kids because of their school holidays.

 

Another guided tour by Kasa

 

 

 

 

Jona has dug a new fireplace into the uneven ground to help Mere fry the delicious rao-rao balls, which are cooked in freshly squeezed coconut milk afterwards.

 

We all love fried banana!

 

Making pancakes for six children, two adults and two guests takes time and firewood. But the kids quickly make fried banana meanwhile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jona and Mere with the rising pile of pancakes in the outdoor kitchen.

 

On the way to the main road where we can catch a bus back to civilisation. 

 

It’s a 3-hour adventurous trip through lush forest, crossing the river several times.

 

The path gets muddy sometimes.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Emosi still has the spirit to climb the tree while we rest in the shade, waiting for the bus.

 

 

Moce, vinaka vaka levu!