Nede's Notes

As I write this week’s blog, a church group sings in the maneapa next door. Watch the women warming up The women are sitting at opposite ends to the men and each group take turns in singing. Hear the women sing And the men respond Sometimes there’s a soloist and sometimes they all sign together. They had their church service this morning at 10 am then all walked the hundred or so metres down to the maneapa for lunch, fellowship and of course, singing. The Vaiaku Vaialofa Church Of the 11,500 Tuvaluans, 92% are Christians with 86% belonging to the Church of Tuvalu (CoT). Twelve churches on Fongafale Islet cater for the 6000 inhabitants of which only about 840 are not members of the CoT. A curious thing happens every night at 6:45 – 7:00 pm. The police park in the middle of the main intersections with their light bars going, Police stop the traffic between 6:45 & 7:00 pm Mon-Sat and a bell tolls at the beginning and end to signify the call to “devotion” when the island stops for 15 m...

This week began with the opening of Parliament at 8:00 am. While an auspicious occasion for the Government it didn’t seem to capture the local inhabitant’s interest. However, we had an excellent overview of the Police Guard of Honour. Police Officer in ceremonial uniform Preparations had been happening all the previous week with maintenance and painting of the Women’s Centre. Each morning last week the Police would practice their drill from about 6:30 am. I guess so they could be ready for normal duties at 8:00 am. His Excellency, Tofiga Vaevalu Falani, formally opened Parliament and presided over the remainder of the event. Opening of Tuvaluan Parliament by the Governor General By the time the plane arrived at 11:00 am, you couldn’t tell anything had happened, the flag pole and stand had been trucked away and the hall returned to normal use. Police Guard of Honour on Airport Apron While the island has probably, a dozen or so “ maneapa ,” (halls) to accommodate events it seems the Wome...

The Monday flight to Tuvalu was direct from Nadi and saved the normal hop over to Suva first. Sitting on the left side of the plane provided a panoramic view of Funifuti Atoll as we neared the runway on Fongafale. The southern end of Funafuti Watch the approach to Fongafale I skipped through Customs without incident despite having a full company internet package in my luggage. A complete Starlink kit, company router and two Wifi extenders weighing in at about 16kg. Fortunately, I had left most of my stuff in my room at the Filamona so I didn’t have much else except my five-week supply of plunger coffee. I can’t remember the last time I purchased instant coffee; it would have to be more than 25 years ago.    My room and office One of the resident bug catchers Coming from low single-digit temperatures to nearly 30º C wasn’t as overwhelming as I had thought. It’s not so much the heat but the humidity which hovers around 80%. And every day this week has been wet, with rain and thu...

The early plane ride to Naisori, Suva was bumpy but short, only 30 minutes. The baggage carousel must be the shortest one in the world. Barely long enough for a trolley load at about 6m long. But it worked. The baggage handlers throw the bags on one side and passengers grab them off the other. Baggage Carousel at Naisori International Airport, Suva My trip to Tuvalu was uneventful as opposed to last Saturday’s plane. Having been on the island for four days I positioned myself for a closeup shot of the plane landing, only it didn’t. Watch the video of the dog causing the plane to go around It went around twice, once for a dog on the runway and once due to heavy rain. The third time lucky was the highlight for the local kids who had gathered to watch. Watch a Fiji  Airways ATR72-600 landing Much of my week was about introductions and enquiries. We were supposed to have already started work but the boat carrying our gear got turned away and we had to wait until Saturday for it to dis...

As I paddled in the Pacific I reflected on my day’s journey. It started 11 hours previously with a chilly start from Stratford, New Zealand with only single digits on the temperature gauge. By the time I boarded the Auckland bound plane I was thankful I was wearing my trusty puffer jacket. The windchill made it feel like 5 degrees. This felt almost tropical to me compared to the sub-zero temperatures I had experienced for the last eight months working on the Homer Tunnel at Milford Sound. Flying in to Nadi A far cry from the caressing breeze I felt as I exited Nadi International Airport in Fiji. The staff there were really helpful with directions to the hotel shuttles, even describing it down to the green flowers on the side of van. I hadn’t organised any transport as I was advised to get a taxi but so I guessed the hotel might have a shuttle. As I waited outside a nice guy asked me why I was waiting. He told me where to wait and even pointed out the shuttle as it went past the domesti...