Dry weather spell

The Fiji Meteorology Department says that the dry season being experienced will continue for a while. Fiji usually has rainy and wet weather between January and March. The Weather Office says that the dry spell is a result of the El Nino effect.

Basketball mini-clinic

Basketball Fiji invites keen players ages 5 to 13 years to their mini basketball clinics held at the FMF Dome, Laucala Bay, Suva, from 3.30pm to 5pm today. Fee is F$2.00 per person. For more details, contact Fanny Simpson on telephone +679 9367803.

Free Computer Classes

Free computer classes will be held on Thursday, 1 February 2007, from 9.30am, at the Good Neighbour International, 29 McGregor Road, Suva. For more information, call Seta on telephone +679 3301939.

National Boxing Championship on today

The National Boxing Championship is on today and runs to Friday, 2 February, 2007. The competition starts at 5.30pm at the Raiwai Youth Hall. The championship is part of the fraternity's preparations towards the 2007 South Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa. Check out some of these promising boxers at the championship :

• Inia Vuli;
• Tomasi Dago;
• Sepeti Qio (a current national rep);
• Metuisela Coriakula (a current national rep); and
• Viliame Vitukalulu.

Semi-finals are on tomorrow with the finals on Friday.

Pacific Sun airfares

Further to our earlier post on the new domestic air links from Suva to be serviced by Air Pacific's subsidiary, Pacific Sun, here are the airfares quoted in Fiji Dollars :

• Between Suva and Nadi - F$68.00 plus F$25.00 surcharges plus 12.5% VAT, or F$104.63 altogether;
• Between Suva and Labasa - F$83.00 plus F$25.00 surcharges plus 12.5% VAT, or $121.50 altogether.

For more details, check http://www.pacificsun.com.fj/.

Banks 'tills jammed with huge profits

The two largest banks in Fiji, ANZ Banking Group Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation, seem to have enjoyed the Reserve Bank of Fiji's interest rates hikes, after having recorded their record profits for financial years ended 30 September 2006. The two banks made over F$73 million profits after tax for that period. Read more through my other blog, http://investinfiji.blogspot.com/.

William Ryder stopped at Nadi Airport

William Ryder of the Fiji 7s Rugby team was stopped at Nadi Airport as the team was about to leave for the IRB Wellington 7s Tournament for not paying child support payments. This is the second time that this has happened for him. The Fiji Rugby Union has come to his rescue and is making alternate arrangements to get him to Wellington today. What occurred to Ryder has also happened to other Fijian men who have been accosted at the airport just before they leave for a tour of duty (whether sports or military/peace keeping) overseas. Imagine the embarrassment being asked to stand aside at the airport. As it is with the world of drugs and increased security going with it, it is already an embarrassment when officials asks one a thousand questions regarding what you have in your luggage. As for being asked these personal questions, they are the ultimate in humiliation. The lesson for us all is first to learn to contain your libido and secondly to take responsibility for your actions. In the meantime, we wish the Fiji 7s Rugby team well in their Wellington sojourn and hope they bring back the Cup.

Pacific Sun starts domestic flights

Pacific Sun, a subsidiary of Air Pacific, will commence its domestic flights from 1 February 2007. The airline has started taken bookings. For those that wish to travel to Suva or from Suva to other local destinations, flights available are :

• Nadi to Suva : Daily - 5.30am ETD, 6.15am ETA;
• Nadi to Suva : Daily - 7.00am ETD, 7.30pm ETA;
• Nadi to Suva : Daily - 2.00pm ETD, 2.45pm ETA;
• Suva to Nadi : Daily - 6.45am ETD, 7.30pm ETA;
• Suva to Nadi : Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun only - 8.00am ETD, 8.30pm ETA;
• Suva to Nadi : Mon, Wed, Fri only - 1.30pm ETD, 2.00pm ETA;
• Suva to Nadi : Daily - 5.15pm ETD, 6.00pm ETA;

• Labasa to Suva : Daily - 8.15am ETD, 9.10am ETA;
• Labasa to Suva : Daily - 4.00pm ETD, 5.00pm ETA;
• Suva to Labasa : Daily - 9.30am ETD, 10.20pm ETA;
• Suva to Labasa : Daily - 3.00pm ETD, 3.55pm ETA;

For airfares or to book, contact Air Pacific Reservations on telephones +679 6720888 or +679 3304388 or visit www.pacificsun.com.fj.

Valentine's Day deals already out

St Valentine's Day is just two weeks away. The shops have begun advertising their specials for the day. Some of the shops to check out include :

• Prouds at Suva Central Building;
• Tappoos opposite the Homecentre's Building and along Nabukalou Creek;
• Boomerang Duty Free Shop, at the Suva Post Office Building;
• Jacks Handicraft Shop, opposite the Suva Post Office; and
• the jewellers along Cumming Street.

Tappoos also has a clearance sale going on with their Nike brand items going very cheap with discounts between 20% and over 80%. Also try out the liquor section at Prouds or Tappoos for your favourite wines and champagnes.

Upcoming Activities, Events and Accommodation in Suva (Updated 26.1.07)

The following events are scheduled for Suva: One-off Events:

• Kids Netball clinic, from 20 January 2007 for three months, age group categories are : 6-8 years; 9 to 11 years; and 12 to 14 years. (E-mail Alumeci on mecidv@yahoo.com for more information);
• Oceania Hockey Qualifiers for Olympics, 2007 - time to be confirmed, Suva;
• East Asia-Pacific Under 15 Cricket 8's tournament, 24 January to 29 January, 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Suva Football Association AGM, Sunday, 28 January 2007, FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Blood Drive, Wednesday, 31 January 2007, 9am to 3pm, Fiji Times Conference Room, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Basketball Fiji Mini Basketball Clinic, for children aged 5 to 13 years, Wednesday, 31 January 2007, 3.30pm to 5pm, FMF Dome, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• National Boxing Championship, from Wednesday, 31 January, to Friday, 2 February 2007, Raiwai Youth Hall, Raiwai, Suva;
• Free computer classes, Thursday, 1 February 2007, from 9.30am, Good Neighbour International, 29 McGregor Road, Suva;
• FTIB Exporting to Canada Seminar, Friday, 2 February 2007, 8.30am to 10am, FTIB Boardroom, Level 6, Civic Tower, Suva;
• Fiji National Rugby League AGM, Saturday, 3 February 2007, from 10am, FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Triathlon Meet, Sunday, 4 February 2007, from 6am, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School (QVS) International Sevens, 16 and 17 March, 2007, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Art Display to coincide with the Double Dialogues conference, 4 to 10 July 2007, Suva;
• Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 18th Hobbie 16 World Championship, 10 to 20 October 2007, Suva & Pacific Harbour;
• Queen Victoria School's 100th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2007.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Taekwondo classes, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4pm to 5.30pm - Junior class, 5.30pm to 7pm - Senior class, Suva Civic Centre;
• Suva Orchid and Horticultural Group Meeting, from 5.30pm, every first Monday of the month, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Stormy Monday Blues Night, Mondays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade;
• Rasta Tuesday, from 9pm, Tuesdays, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Rucksack Club Meeting, every second Wednesday of the month, from 6.45pm, St Andrew's Church Hall, Suva;
• Alternate Rock, every Wednesdays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Soul, funk, disco and classics DJ music, from 8pm, Fridays, Traps Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• SideStep, every last Saturday of the month, 9pm to close, Traps Upstairs Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, starts 11am, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Wai Tui Cycles Ride, every Sundays, from 6am, start at Wai Tui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj directly. A 20% discount is offered for all bookings up to 31 March 2007. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above.

New coach for Fiji Rugby team

A new coach has been selected for the Fiji 15s Rugby team. He is former Wallaby player and Fijian, Ilivasi Tabua. Tabua takes over from Wayne Pivac, a New Zealander, who tendered his resignation this week "for family reasons". In the latest update, the Interim Minister for Sports has written to the Fiji Rugby Union to ask why the Union had let out Pivac "too easily" from his contract. It will be interesting to see what comes out of that correspondence.

Traffic news

Traffic seems to be improving again for this site. Perhaps it might be the recovery after the military takeover last December. For the last week, here is the traffic numbers to the site :

• Fiji, 48;
• United States, 34;
• Australia, 30;
• United Kingdom, 13;
• Canada, 9;
• New Zealand, 7;
• Ghana, 3;
• Nigeria, 3;
• Cote D'Ivoire, 3;
• South Africa, 3.

and a sprinkling of other visitors from a number of other countries.

Interesting that the Fiji Visitors Bureau said today that they expect 30,000 tourists to come to Fiji in February 2007 after they took up the special offers that are being promoted by the travel industry in Fiji.

The Bureau says that if an average of 50,000 tourists per month visit Fiji from June to December this year, then the industry will make good its aim of being a billion dollar industry in 2007.

For those that want a short stay in Suva, check out our two bedroom self catering home through links at the right hand side of this blog. We too are promoting a special at F$600.00 per week (inclusive of everything advertised on those links). This is a 40% discount on our usual rates. The promotion goes up until end April 2007 and will be reconsidered then.

Blood Drive

A Blood Drive will be held on Wednesday, 31 January 2007, from 9am to 3pm, at the Fiji Times Conference Room, Victoria Parade, Suva. Members of the public who wish to donate blood are to call Reginald Kila for an appointment on telephone +679 3304111 or e-mail rkila@fijitimes.com.fj.

New school year starts today

The new school year starts today. Roads are again busy with students rushing to school. This culminates with the army announcing that it will be removing all its roadblocks during the day. The beginning of the school year has had its controversies with parents complaining about the high cost of books, uniforms and fees. The Consumer Council and the Commerce Commission are investigating how parents and students are being forced to buy all their requirements from a particular outlet after schools entered into such specific arrangements with particular outlets to supply their uniforms and all related gear. The Council and the Commission both say that this is in breach of fair trading laws which states that a consumer should be given a choice. If the Council and Commission win, then we expect to see a reduction of prices as outlets will have to again compete with each other without any of them enjoying exclusive rights to sell a particular school's items. The first school term runs until end April 2007, after which there is a two week break.

QVS Old Boys International Sevens

Registered clubs with provincial unions are invited to participate in the 7s tournament to be held on 16 and 17 March, 2007. Contact Marika Luveniyali on telephones +679 9473361 or +679 3222214, Fili Vosarogo on telephones +679 9921146 or +679 3311195 or Jone Tikoca on telephones +679 9926680 or +679 3306662. Only 40 teams to be accommodated with 12 overseas teams. Total prize money is F$40,000.00. Volunteers for the tournament should report to the Clubhouse at 11am every Saturday for briefing, allocation of duties and updates on the tournament.

Triathlon Meet

A triathlon meet will be on 4 February 2007 at the National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva. Registration is at 6am with competition to start from 7am. Events include :

• fi Olympic 750/20/5;
• short sprints 300/10/3;
• Junior events 300/3/1.

Biathlon to include any two events. Minimum age is 16 for fi Olympic distance and for juniors it will be 13. For more information, contact Ian on telephone +679 9995625.

For accommodation, check out our two bedroom rental home in Suva through links at the right hand side of this blog. To contact us, e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj or call telephones +679 3396427 or +679 9921427.

Census work continues

Work to conduct a Fiji Population census this year has continued at the Bureau of Statistics. An allocation of F$6 million has been set aside to conduct the census. The census was deferred from 2006. Previously, Fiji has had its census conducted every 10 years from 1966, 1976, 1986 to 1996. This would be a real challenge for statisticians and demographers who use such data for analyses as the time period will now not be consistent (i.e. it will be a 11 year time lag now since the last census was conducted).

USP fees to remain the same

The University of the South Pacific (USP) has announced that its tuition fees for distance and flexible learning mode courses will remain the same, despite rumours that they were to be increased by 20%. The USP Vice Chancellor said that there were no plans for any increase in tuition fees for distance and flexible learning courses. USP classes for Semester 1 starts on February 26, 2007.

Great Council of Chiefs Building to be ready soon

The Great Council of Chiefs complex at Nasova, Suva, will be ready in 3 months after a delay from August 2006 as a result of adverse weather conditions. The F$23 million complex is to be opened by a member of the British Royal Family. With the increase in high-rise buildings in Suva, it can be expected that the complex may not be fully tenanted. The Public Service Commission has announced that it will not be moving to the new Kadavu Provincial Council buildings situated next to Ro Lalabalavu House and which is being completed. The Police Headquarters who have since moved from Ratu Sukuna House, located along Victoria Parade, to Colonial House, located near the military headquarters at Nasinu, will now be moving into the Kadavu Provincial building. With the rise in interest rates and a slump in business conditions in Fiji, there might be a corresponding fall in demand for office space.

Upcoming Activities and Events, and Accommodation in Suva (Updated 17.1.07)

The following events are scheduled for Suva: One-off Events:

• Pacific Arts Alliance, School Holiday Arts Programmes, classes begin Monday, 27 November, and runs until Monday, 22 January, 2007, The Playhouse, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre Saturday Summer Classes, starts Saturday, 9 December 2006 and runs until Saturday, 27 January 2007, Suva Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre, 94 Waimanu Road, Suva;
• St John Association - First Aid Course, 16 and 17 January 2007, Suva;
• Free Computer Classes, Wednesday, 17 January 2007, Goodneighbour International, 29 McGregor Road, Suva;
• Kids Netball clinic, from 20 January 2007 for three months, age group categories are : 6-8 years; 9 to 11 years; and 12 to 14 years. (E-mail Alumeci on mecidv@yahoo.com for more information);
• Oceania Hockey Qualifiers for Olympics, 2007 - time to be confirmed, Suva;
• East Asia-Pacific Under 15 Cricket 8's tournament, 24 January to 29 January, 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Suva Football Association AGM, Sunday, 28 January 2007, FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Blood Drive, Wednesday, 31 January 2007, 9am to 3pm, Fiji Times Conference Room, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Fiji National Rugby League AGM, Saturday, 3 February 2007, from 10am, FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Triathlon Meet, Sunday, 4 February 2007, from 6am, National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Queen Victoria School (QVS) International Sevens, 16 and 17 March, 2007, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Art Display to coincide with the Double Dialogues conference, 4 to 10 July 2007, Suva; Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 18th Hobbie 16 World Championship, 10 to 20 October 2007, Suva & Pacific Harbour;
• Queen Victoria School's 100th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2007.

Recurring Events:

• Masi Gallery – Contemporary masi costumes, including the wedding costume of Adi Litia Dugdale Mara, the daughter of Ratu Mara, display of bird paintings by William Belcher and exhibition for Westpac's 101st anniversary of services in Fiji, Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Taekwondo classes, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4pm to 5.30pm - Junior class, 5.30pm to 7pm - Senior class, Suva Civic Centre;
• Suva Orchid and Horticultural Group Meeting, from 5.30pm, every first Monday of the month, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Stormy Monday Blues Night, Mondays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade;
• Latin Fitness Class, 6pm to 7pm, every Tuesdays, The Playhouse, Selbourne Street;
• Pottery demonstrations, every Tuesday and Thursday, and daily every first week of the month, Fiji Museum;
• Rasta Tuesday, from 9pm, Tuesdays, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Suva;
• Stage Sevens, Wednesdays, 5.45pm to 7.30pm, Auditorium, FIT Arts, Culture & Design, Carpenter Street, Raiwai (Tickets at the door at F$3.00, students and scholars F$2.00);
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Rucksack Club Meeting, every second Wednesday of the month, from 6.45pm, St Andrew's Church Hall, Suva;
• Alternate Rock, every Wednesdays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Socrates Café where people gather to discuss and debate the topic of the month, first Thursday of each month, 7pm to 8.30pm, IMDVD, Sports City Mall, Laucala Bay ();
• Soul, funk, disco and classics DJ music, from 8pm, Fridays, Traps Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• SideStep, every last Saturday of the month, 9pm to close, Traps Upstairs Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Pacific arts in the sun : Family event, every Saturday, 7am to 11am, Holiday Inn;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, starts 11am, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Wai Tui Cycles Ride, every Sundays, from 6am, start at Wai Tui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj directly. A 20% discount is offered for all bookings up to 31 March 2007. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above.

QVS International Sevens in March

The Queen Victoria School (QVS) International Sevens tournament will be held at the Post Fiji Stadium in Suva from 16 and 17 March, 2007. Organisers said that there has been a lot of interest coming in for participation at the tournament with 6 overseas teams from Brisbane, Auckland, Samoa and Los Angeles, already confirming their attendance. Another 7 overseas teams will be confirming their participation by month end. In addition, there will be 18 local top provincial clubs participating with the aim of having 40 teams altogether competing. There will also be a category for secondary school boys in the tournament. The tournament will be the first for members of the QVS Old Boys Association as they lead up to the celebrations commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the school later this year. The organisers said that the tournament will be filled with fun and excitement with lots of giveaways for spectators, bands and pop groups playing and other entertainment. Prize money at stake is F$40,000.00. Note from GV : To book a two bedroom rental home in Suva during that time, pls check out more details on the home available through links at the right hand side of this blog and contact us on e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj or telephones +679 3396427 or +679 9921427. The home is equipped with a Personal Computer and Broadband Internet access provided complimentary for guests' use with a 20% discount offered for all bookings to 31 March 2007.

Free Computer Classes today

There will be free computer classes today from 9.30am at the Goodneighbour International, 29 McGregor Road, Suva. Call Seta on telephones +679 3301939 or +679 9915781 for more information.

Suva Football Association AGM

The Suva Football Association AGM will be held on Sunday, 28 January 2007, at the FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva. Contact Rajnesh Singh on telephones +679 9979221 or +679 3371685 for more information. Note from GV : For those visiting Suva for meetings or a leisure, please check out our two bedroom rental home through links at the right hand side of this blog. To contact us, e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj or call telephones +679 3396427 or +679 9921427.

Fiji National Rugby League AGM

The Fiji National Rugby League AGM will be held at 10am, Saturday, 3 February 2007, at the FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva.

Nukulau Island to be ready in 2 weeks

Nukulau Island is to be ready in 2 weeks after clearing being done by the Prisons Department. Nukulau Island was last an island prison for those serving sentences related to the 2000 coup in Fiji. After the military takeover of government in December 2006, the Army Commander has made a decision to move all serving prisoners to other prisons and to free up Nukulau Island for recreational use. Nukulau Island was a favourite picnic spot before it became an island prison. It is located just to the left of Suva Harbour, outside the mouth of the Rewa River - the largest river in Fiji. It has a beautiful, white sandy beach and is one of the few white beaches near Suva.

Akapusi Qera wins Rugby Player of the Year Award

Akapusi Qera of Nadroga won the Fiji Rugby Union's 2006 Player of the Year Award at the awards ceremony held last night in Suva. He beat other nominees in his category : Jone Qovu and Kameli Ratuvou. Other winners were :

• Top Official - Vilikesa Rauca;
• Best Referee - Joeli Tubu;
• Best Women's Player - Elina Taoba;
• Milo Kaji Coach - Lasarusa Senibale;
• Best Under 18 Player - John Vugakoto;
• Best Under 19 Player - Andrew Durutalo;
• Best Under 21 Player - Jone Qovu;
• Best Island Zone Player - Peni Ralagi;
• Best Northern Player - Anare Bale;
• Best Southern Player - Jasa Kadivuka;
• Best 7s Player - Etonia Naba;
• Best Sanyo Cup Player - Jiuta Lutumailagi;
• Best Colonial Cup Player - Maleli Naqitu;
• Best Warriors Player - Wame Lewaravu;
• Best Fiji 7s Player - Lepani Nabuliwaqa;
• Best Coach - Joji Rinakama.

The awards ceremony is usually held at the end of December each year but was postponed to January after the events of early December.

More sports events in Suva

More sports events are being scheduled in Suva. These include :

• The Boxing National Championships to be held from 31 January to 2 February 2007 at the Raiwai Youth Hall. (Call Joseph Low on telephone +679 3312098 or +679 9318138 for more information.)
• The Jonati Mavoa Trophy Golf Tournament to be held on Friday, 12 January 2007 at the Fiji Golf Club, Vatuwaqa, Suva. (E-mail I Labaibure on i.labaibure.shipping@carpenters.com.fj for more information.)
• Kids Netball clinic on 20 January 2007. The clinic will be run for three months with a fee of F$20.00 per month. Age group categories are : 6-8 years; 9 to 11 years; and 12 to 14 years. (E-mail Alumeci on mecidv@yahoo.com for more information.)

Night games are also being scheduled for the Colonial Cup Rugby Union games beginning next month. The intention is to expose players to playing under the floodlights as done by other countries. From the Suva area, the venues selected include the Post Fiji Stadium at Laucala Bay and the Ratu Cakobau Park at Nausori.

Fiji Rugby Awards on this Saturday

The Fiji Rugby Awards, postponed from last December, will now be held this Saturday, 13 January 2007 at the Tattersalls Leisure Centre. Nominees for the awards include :

• for Best BP 7s Series Player : Etonia Naba, Naisa Nakurutabua, Watekini Vunisa;
• for Sanyo Cup Best Player : Jiuta Lutumailagi, Tiko Matawalu, Saula Rabaka;
• for Colonial Cup Best Player : Jiuta Lutumailagi, Maleli Naiqitu, Akapusi Qera;
• for Air Pacific Fiji Warriors/Barbarians Best Player : Wame Lewaravu, Dale Tonawai, Mosese Volavola;
• for Best Coach : Josefa Bele, Vuata Narisia, Joji Rinakama;
• for Best 7s Player : Lepani Nabuliwaqa, Sireli Naqelevuki, Dale Tonawai;
• for Best Player : Akapusi Qera, Jone Qovu, Kameli Ratuvou.

The awards will be preceded by a special general meeting of the Fiji Rugby Union to be held at the Holiday Inn, Suva.

Tennis Classes

The Suva Lawn Tennis Club conducts tennis classes for adults from today to Saturday, 13 January 2007. The classes will be at 6pm on each day at the Suva Lawn Tennis Club, Albert Park. For more information call Dr Joel Trazo on telephone +679 9265268.

Taekwondo Classes start today

Taekwondo classes start today at the Suva Civic Centre. Sessions will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays as follows :

• 4pm to 5.30pm - Junior class;
• 5.30pm to 7pm - Senior class.

Call Neelu on telephone +679 9977029 or Francis on telephone +679 9231324 for more information.

Upcoming Activities, Events and Accommodation in Suva (Updated 5.1.07)

The following events are scheduled for Suva: One-off Events:

• Pacific Arts Alliance, School Holiday Arts Programmes, classes begin Monday, 27 November, and runs until Monday, 22 January, 2007, The Playhouse, Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre Saturday Summer Classes, starts Saturday, 9 December 2006 and runs until Saturday, 27 January 2007, Suva Multi-Ethnic Cultural Centre, 94 Waimanu Road, Suva;
• Suva Cricket Games, Saturday, 6 January 2007, starts 9.30am, Albert Park;
• Datec Summer Cup Golf Tournament, Saturday, 6 January 2007, starts 8am, Fiji Golf Club, Vatuwaqa;
• Fiji Under 19 Rugby Trials, Saturday, 6 January 2007, starts 10am, Ratu Cakobau Park, Nausori;
• Tennis classes for adults, starts Monday, 8 January 2007 to Saturday, 13 January 2007, from 6pm on each day, Suva Lawn Tennis Club, Albert Park;
• Fiji Rugby Awards, Saturday, 13 January 2007, Tattersalls Leisure Centre, Laucala Bay;
• St John Association - First Aid Course, 16 and 17 January 2007, Suva;
• Kids Netball clinic, from 20 January 2007 for three months, age group categories are : 6-8 years; 9 to 11 years; and 12 to 14 years. (E-mail Alumeci on mecidv@yahoo.com for more information);
• Oceania Hockey Qualifiers for Olympics, 2007 - time to be confirmed, Suva;
• East Asia-Pacific Under 15 Cricket 8's tournament, 24 January to 29 January, 2007, Albert Park, Suva;
• Suva Football Association AGM, Sunday, 28 January 2007, FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Fiji National Rugby League AGM, Saturday, 3 February 2007, from 10am, FASANOC headquarters, Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• Art Display to coincide with the Double Dialogues conference, 4 to 10 July 2007, Suva;
• Oceania Women's Hockey Qualifiers for 2008 Olympic Games, from 10 September 2007, Suva;
• 18th Hobbie 16 World Championship, 10 to 20 October 2007, Suva & Pacific Harbour;
• Queen Victoria School's 100th Anniversary Celebrations, November 2007.

Recurring Events:

• Masi Gallery – Contemporary masi costumes, including the wedding costume of Adi Litia Dugdale Mara, the daughter of Ratu Mara, display of bird paintings by William Belcher and exhibition for Westpac's 101st anniversary of services in Fiji, Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Taekwondo classes, Mondays and Wednesdays, 4pm to 5.30pm - Junior class, 5.30pm to 7pm - Senior class, Suva Civic Centre;
• Suva Orchid and Horticultural Group Meeting, from 5.30pm, every first Monday of the month, Wesley Church, Butt Street, Suva;
• Stormy Monday Blues Night, Mondays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade;
• Latin Fitness Class, 6pm to 7pm, every Tuesdays, The Playhouse, Selbourne Street;
• Pottery demonstrations, every Tuesday and Thursday, and daily every first week of the month, Fiji Museum;
• Rasta Tuesday, from 9pm, Tuesdays, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Suva;
• Stage Sevens, Wednesdays, 5.45pm to 7.30pm, Auditorium, FIT Arts, Culture & Design, Carpenter Street, Raiwai (Tickets at the door at F$3.00, students and scholars F$2.00);
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Rucksack Club Meeting, every second Wednesday of the month, from 6.45pm, St Andrew's Church Hall, Suva;
• Alternate Rock, every Wednesdays, from 9pm, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Socrates Café where people gather to discuss and debate the topic of the month, first Thursday of each month, 7pm to 8.30pm, IMDVD, Sports City Mall, Laucala Bay ();
• Soul, funk, disco and classics DJ music, from 8pm, Fridays, Traps Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Velocity Cycling Ride, from 7am, every Saturday, leaves from The Roc, FNPF Dolphins Plaza;
• SideStep, every last Saturday of the month, 9pm to close, Traps Upstairs Lounge, Victoria Parade;
• Pacific arts in the sun : Family event, every Saturday, 7am to 11am, Holiday Inn;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, starts 11am, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Wai Tui Cycles Ride, every Sundays, from 6am, start at Wai Tui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street;
• Jazz by the Beach, Sundays, 1pm to 5pm, Pearl South Pacific, Pacific Harbour.

For accommodation for any events, please check out a two bedroom rental home with seaviews in Suva on links at the right hand side of this blog or contact telephone (679) 3396427, (679) 9921427 or e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj directly. A 20% discount is offered for all bookings up to 31 March 2007. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above.

Two stalls to check out in Suva

Two stalls to check out at the Suva Flea Market (opposite the main bus terminal) are :

• one operated by Aminiasi Niumataiwalu which specialises in Fijian artifacts. The stall sells a whole range of Fijian handicraft including mats, tapa, fans, baskets/bags, bowls, replica bures, utensils and other trinkets.
• another operated by Liviana Madanavatu which sells homemade seaweed health care products. The stall also sells herbal lotions, massage oils and other herbal and traditional medicine.

Suva Flea Market is a good place to shop and get bargains on Fijian handicraft and similar products. Other handicraft sellers operate from the Suva Handicraft Centre (behind the Suva General Post Office) and the Government Handicraft Centre (located at Sukuna House along Victoria Parade). Other galleries and shops located in and around the capital city also offer similar products.

Army hands over executive authority

The Fiji Military Forces yesterday handed over executive authority to President, Ratu Josefa Iloilo. Ratu Iloilo will soon be appointing an interim government that will govern until elections are called. For more information, check out www.fijitimes.com.fj or www.fijilive.com.

Back-to-school shopping in full swing

Back-to-school shopping is in full swing with parents, guardians and children hitting the stores early to buy bags, books, uniforms, shoes and all other requirements for the new school year. It has been observed that shoppers are buying things earlier now than joining a mad rush in the days just before school starts. Most parents and guardians would have problems where one of them is without a job after the events of December 2006. For those, our hearts goes out to them. If you wish to sponsor a child (ie buy his/her school books, pay his/her school fees, buy his/her school uniform, etc), let me know and I can direct you to the proper authorities. My contacts are : e-mail gilbert@connect.com.fj or telephones +679 3396427 or +679 9921427.

Want to try astrology?

A read of the newspapers reveal a rise in advertisements by astrologers. Whether it is to do with the current crisis in Fiji or the entry of a new year, I am not sure. Otherwise, here are some individuals offering those services :

• Punditji M Raju of Jai Hanuman Palm Readers, 136 Amy Street, Toorak, Suva, telephone +679 9477380.
• Pandit KV Venkatesh, Peninsula Hotel, Suva, telephone +679 9488749.
• Sri Gayathri Matha, 1 Hunter Street, next to Rotuman Methodist Church, Rewa Street, Flagstaff, Suva.

All offer reading your past, present and future, face reading, problems in connection with education, marriage, love affairs, job promotions, loss in business, property, marital issues, health, finance, business, etc.

First Aid Course

St John Association is holding a First Aid Course on 16 and 17 January 2007. Limited seats are available. Call Vasemaca on telephone +679 3302584 for more information.

New Year celebrations continue in Suva

Celebrations to welcome the New Year continue in Suva with fireworks at night, beating of tin drums and people splashing each other with water - the usual way people celebrated New Year. The street party on Victoria Parade, next to Albert Park, was very popular and was filled mostly with Indo Fijians and the other races. Nightclubs were also filled to capacity with Indo Fijians and other races. A conspicuous absence were Fijians, perhaps due to New Year's Eve falling on a Sunday. Their absence on New Year's Eve has been made up for with their celebrations since Monday. More fun would be going on in the villages with their "taralala" (sing and dance parties), splashing water or talcum powder on each other, the beating of drums and firing of bamboo guns. It is the time of the year that most Fijians prefer to celebrate at their own villages because of the fun and gaiety there.