2008 Fiji National Budget

The 2008 National Budget was delivered by the Minister of Finance on Friday, 23 November 2007. The Budget has some very favourable aspects that help with those running businesses or intending to set up businesses in Fiji. For a copy of the Budget, you can subscribe to our fijisale Yahoo Group and look under the Files section of the Group. A copy of the 2007 Revised Budget is also there for comparison. To subscribe to our Yahoo Group, go to our other blog, http://investinfiji.blogspot.com/, enter your e-mail address in the form at the top of that blog and click on the "Join Now!" button.

Voice-over-Internet Calls Available from today

Connect Fiji's Voice-over-Internet Protocol calls overseas are available from today. Call Australia, New Zealand, Canada, US, UK or Hawaii at only 23 Fijian cents per minute. No extra hardware is required. Simply dial 021 + country code + overseas number from your Telecom telephone. This service is only available for Connect's Broadband customers. For more information, pls call Connect on telephone (679) 3300100.

School of Marine Studies Lecture Series

The School of Marine Studies, Faculty of Islands and Oceans, University of the South Pacific, is holding a lecture on "Can Aquaculture help to reduce the amount of coastal fishing?" on Wednesday, 28 November 2007, from 6pm to 8pm at the Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. The speaker will be Dr Timothy Pickering, Senior Lecturer in Aquaculture, School of Marine Studies.

New Zealand Visiting Artist

A New Zealand artist, Filipe Tohi, is visiting Fiji through the arrangements made by the Oceania Centre for Arts and Culture. Mr Tohi will give a talk on Contemporary and Traditional Arts based on his development as a creative artist, and on his most recent adaptations of sinnet lashings, lalava or magimagi into modern forms. Tohi's unique creations have attracted much international attention in Europe, USA, Asia as well as Australia. He has gigantic sculptures on permanent public display in Chanchun in China and Fujimi in Japan. The talk will be held on Tuesday, 27 November 2007, from 5.30pm at the Oceania Centre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Learn Fijian, Hindi and French : Summer Classes

The Alliance Francaise is organising Summer Classes for learning Fijian, Hindi and French. Classes are for adults and teenagers. Classes begin on Monday, 3 December 2007. Enrol now by calling the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 23.11.07)

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

• Learn French, Fijian or Hindi with the Alliance Francaise, Term 3 runs from 3 September 2007 to 24 November 2007, Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• Fiji Seveshram Sangha - Rangoli (Indian Art) Competition and Exhibition, from Sunday, 18 November, to Saturday, 24 November 2007, Sangha's premises, 6 Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• National Squash Championships, from 19 November to 24 November 2007, Defence Club Courts and Victoria Courts, Suva;
• Fiji Arts Council - National Art Exhibition, from Tuesday, 20 November, to Saturday, 24 November 2007, Ratu Iloilovatu Art Gallery, School of Arts Culture & Design, Fiji Institute of Technology, Carpenter Street, Raiwaqa, Suva;
• Red Wave XXXV Art Exhibition, on until Saturday, 24 November 2007, Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Suva Rotary Club and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Social Club's B-there-or-be-Square Fundraiser Quiz Night on Thursday, 22 November 2007, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, The Fale, Forum Secretariat Compound, Ratu Sukuna Road, Suva;
• US Embassy and the Radio Fiji Gold sponsored concert by Dana Leong, Friday, 23 November 2007, from 7pm, Suva Civic Centre;
• Central Eastern Region's Annual Catholic Rugby and Netball Tournament, Friday, 23 November, and Saturday, 24 November 2007, Suva Grammar School and Corpus Christi grounds, Veiuto, Suva;
• Marist Club's 2007 Annual Rugby Awards Nite, Saturday, 24 November 2007, from 6pm to 12am, Marist Rugby Club House, Flagstaff, Suva;
• JR White National Chess Championships, Saturday, 24 November, and Sunday, 25 November 2007;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon Sprints Series, Sunday, 25 November 2007, Pacific Harbour;
• Talk by visiting New Zealand artist, Filipe Tohi, on Contemporary and Traditional Arts, Tuesday, 27 November 2007, from 5.30pm, Oceania Centre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Lecture "Can Aquaculture help to reduce the amount of coastal fishing?", Wednesday, 28 November 2007, from 6pm to 8pm, Marine Studies Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• 2007 National Chess Championships, from Thursday, 29 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Football Association Inter District Soccer Tournament (IDC) 2007, from Thursday, 29 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Championships, Friday, 30 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva;
• Summer Classes for learning Fijian, Hindi and French, begin on Monday, 3 December 2007, Alliance Francaise, Suva;
• Fiji Boxing National Championship and final trial for 2008 Oceania Olympic qualifying rounds, 6 and 7 December 2007, Lower Auditorium, Suva Civic Centre;
• Annual Sukuna Bowl Competition, 7 December 2007, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Marist Sevens Rugby Tournament, 7 and 8 March 2008, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Suva Taekwondo Classes, every Mondays and Wednesdays, 4.30pm to 5.30pm - Junior Classes, 5.30pm to 7pm -Senior Classes, Suva Civic Centre;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5pm, Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Alcoholics Anonymous, meets every Mondays and Thursdays, at 5.30pm, Mitchell Clinic, 83 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Capital Toastmasters, every Tuesday, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, JJ's Boardroom, Suva;
• Talei Burns and Friends, every Wednesdays, 7pm to 10pm, The Malthouse, 88 Jerusalem Road (next to the Fiji Golf Club), Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Tom Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Reggae Zouk Soca Night, Thursdays, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, every Sundays, 6am to 6.3oam, from Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, or 9am at Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva.

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 promotingsuva@gilbert.com.fj directly. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above. Note : Promote your products and services to our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA, UK, Europe and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

Dana Leong Concert

The US Embassy and the Radio Fiji Gold presents a concert by Dana Leong on Friday, 23 November 2007, from 7pm at the Suva Civic Centre. Dana Leong combines hip-hop, jazz, rock, and classical sounds to create a signature hybrid sound. The Asian-American artist uses the cello and trombone. No entry fee required.

Red Wave XXXV Art Exhibition

The Red Wave XXXV Art Exhibition is currently on until Saturday, 24 November 2007 at the Oceania Centre for Arts & Culture, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. Go and view the last show for 2007 by the Red Wave artists.

Inter District Soccer Tournament (IDC) 2007

The Fiji Football Association Inter District Soccer Tournament (IDC) 2007 will be held in Suva from Thursday, 29 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007. The games will be played at the Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Documentary Film Festival

The Alliance Francaise Suva is holding a Documentary Film Festival in Suva from Tuesday, 20 November, to Friday, 23 November 2007. The documentaries to be screened include :

• Tuesday, 20 November, 6.45pm, First Contact (set in PNG, 1983, 52 min);
• Tuesday, 20 November, 8pm, Pirinop My First Contact (Brazil, 2007, 52 min);
• Wednesday, 21 November, 6.45pm, Breaking Bows & Arrows (PNG, 2001, 52 min);
• Wednesday, 21 November, 7.45pm, The Truth & Reconciliation Commission (South Africa, 1999, 138 min);
• Thursday, 22 November, 6.45pm, Mr Patterns (Australia, 2004, 56 min);
• Thursday, 22 November, 8pm, Brass Unbound (Netherlands, 1993, 106 min);
• Friday, 23 November, 6.45pm, Bittersweet Hope (Fiji, 2003, 52 min);
• Friday, 23 November, 8pm, Darwin's Nightmare (Tanzania, 2004, 107 min).

No entry fees required. For more information, pls contact the Alliance Francaise on telephone (679) 3313802 or e-mail allifra@connect.com.fj.

Suva Activities, Events and Accommodation (Updated 19.11.07)

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

• Learn French, Fijian or Hindi with the Alliance Francaise, Term 3 runs from 3 September 2007 to 24 November 2007, Alliance Francaise, 14 McGregor Road, Suva;
• Fiji Seveshram Sangha - Rangoli (Indian Art) Competition and Exhibition, from Sunday, 18 November, to Saturday, 24 November 2007, Sangha's premises, 6 Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva;
• National Squash Championships, from 19 November to 24 November 2007, Defence Club Courts and Victoria Courts, Suva;
• Fiji Arts Council - National Art Exhibition, from Tuesday, 20 November, to Saturday, 24 November 2007, Ratu Iloilovatu Art Gallery, School of Arts Culture & Design, Fiji Institute of Technology, Carpenter Street, Raiwaqa, Suva;
• Suva Rotary Club and Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Social Club's B-there-or-be-Square Fundraiser Quiz Night on Thursday, 22 November 2007, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, The Fale, Forum Secretariat Compound, Ratu Sukuna Road, Suva;
• Central Eastern Region's Annual Catholic Rugby and Netball Tournament, Friday, 23 November, and Saturday, 24 November 2007, Suva Grammar School and Corpus Christi grounds, Veiuto, Suva;
• Marist Club's 2007 Annual Rugby Awards Nite, Saturday, 24 November 2007, from 6pm to 12am, Marist Rugby Club House, Flagstaff, Suva;
• JR White National Chess Championships, Saturday, 24 November, and Sunday, 25 November 2007;
• Tabu Soro Triathlon Sprints Series, Sunday, 25 November 2007, Pacific Harbour;
• 2007 National Chess Championships, from Thursday, 29 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva;
• Amateur Swimming Association of Fiji - Fiji National Age & Open Short Course Championships, Friday, 30 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, Suva;
• Fiji Boxing National Championship and final trial for 2008 Oceania Olympic qualifying rounds, 6 and 7 December 2007, Lower Auditorium, Suva Civic Centre;
• Annual Sukuna Bowl Competition, 7 December 2007, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva;
• Marist Sevens Rugby Tournament, 7 and 8 March 2008, Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva.

Recurring Events:

• Fiji Museum displays, daily at The Fiji Museum, Suva;
• Bridge night, every Monday nights, from 6.30 to 9.30pm, The Fiji Club, 1 Selbourne Street, Suva;
• Suva Taekwondo Classes, every Mondays and Wednesdays, 4.30pm to 5.30pm - Junior Classes, 5.30pm to 7pm -Senior Classes, Suva Civic Centre;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5pm, Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• Alcoholics Anonymous, meets every Mondays and Thursdays, at 5.30pm, Mitchell Clinic, 83 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva;
• Capital Toastmasters, every Tuesday, from 5.30pm to 6.30pm, JJ's Boardroom, Suva;
• Talei Burns and Friends, every Wednesdays, 7pm to 10pm, The Malthouse, 88 Jerusalem Road (next to the Fiji Golf Club), Vatuwaqa, Suva;
• Jazz at the Holiday Inn with Tom Mawi, every Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 6pm to 10pm, Holiday Inn;
• Reggae Zouk Soca Night, Thursdays, Golden Dragon Nightclub, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Arts Village Firewalking Show, 11am to 12pm, every Saturday, Grandstand, Arts Village, Pacific Harbour;
• Waitui Cycle Rides, every Sundays, 6am to 6.3oam, from Waitui Cycles, Garden City, Raiwai, Suva;
• The Roc Market, every third Sunday of the month, The Roc, Dolphins Plaza, Victoria Parade, Suva;
• Sunday Church Services, 8am or 10.45am, Wesley Church, Butt Street, or 9am at Calvary Temple, Samabula, Suva.

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 gilbertv2@connect.com.fj directly. Those that wish to have their events included can contact me on the e-mail address provided above. Note : Promote your products and services to our wide readership base from Fiji, Australia, NZ, USA, UK, Europe and Canada by advertising on this blog. Check out our very low rates for commercial ads here.

Fiji Arts Council National Art Exhibition

The Fiji Arts Council will be holding a National Art Exhibition from Tuesday, 20 November, to Saturday, 24 November 2007 at the Ratu Iloilovatu Art Gallery, School of Arts, Culture & Design, Fiji Institute of Technology, Carpenter Street, Raiwaqa, Suva. The exhibition opens from 9am to 6pm, Tuesday to Friday, and from 9am to 2pm on Saturday. For more information, pls call telephone (679) 3311754.

Rangoli Competition and Exhibition

The Fiji Seveshram Sangha is organising a Rangoli (Indian Art) Competition and Exhibition from Sunday, 18 November, to Saturday, 24 November 2007. The Exhibition will be open from 8am to 6pm daily from Monday to Saturday, at the Sangha's premises, 6 Bau Street, Flagstaff, Suva.

Marist Club 2007 Annual Rugby Awards Nite

The Marist Club's 2007 Annual Rugby Awards Nite will be held on Saturday, 24 November 2007, from 6pm to 12am at the Marist Rugby Club House, Flagstaff, Suva. Entry fee is F$20.00 per person which includes food and drinks. Talei Burns and Kiti Niumataiwalu will perform live. For more information, pls call the Marist Rugby Club on telephone (679) 3305414.

Tritons Swimming Club

The Tritons Swimming Club will hold its Annual Club Championship on Thursday, 15 November to Saturday, 17 November 2007 at the National Aquatic Centre, Laucala Bay, Suva. For more information, pls contact Sarah Standen on telephones (679) 9910712 or (679) 3300401.

Tabu Soro Triathlon Meet

The next Tabu Soro Triathlon Meet will be held on Sunday, 25 November 2007, at the Hobie Cat venue, Suva Point, Laucala Bay, Suva. Registration begins at 6am and the races at 7am. Events include :

• Olympic 750m swim/20km bike/5k run;
• Super Sprint 300m swim/10km bike/3k run;
• Children U14 : 300m swim/3km bike/1k run;
• Duathlon - any two events; and
• Teams or individuals on all events.

Entry fee is F$10.00 for individuals and F$15.00 for teams. For more information, pls contact Ian on telephone (679) 9995625 or (679) 9290802.

Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Competition

The Fiji Primary Schools Athletics Competition, also referred to as the FMF Chow Games, will be held on Friday, 16 November, and Saturday, 17 November 2007 at the Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva. Most participants from schools around Fiji are already in Suva and billeted in various venues around the capital. The games is the highlight of the primary school athletics calendar, much like the Coca Cola Games being the highlight of the Fiji Secondary Schools athletics agenda.

Young Mussos Acclaim

The Young Mussos Acclaim Fiji Secondary Schools Song Competition and Awards will be held on Friday, 16 November 2007, from 7pm to 10pm at the Suva Civic Centre. Watch our young promising talents showcase their vocal skills there.

Annual Sukuna Bowl Competition

The annual Sukuna Bowl Competition between the Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police Forces will be held on 7 December 2007 at the Post Fiji Stadium, Laucala Bay, Suva. Army and police players are going through their inter-force eliminations to select their teams for the Competition. This is a prominent event on the social calendar for our disciplinary forces.

National Squash Championships

The National Squash Championships will be held from 19 November to 24 November 2007 at the Defence Club Courts and Victoria Courts, Suva. Grades include Men's A, B and C; Women's A & B; and Mixed Masters 45 years and over. Entry fees is F$35.00. For more information, pls contact Frank on e-mail comsoft@connect.com.fj.

Socrates Café - November 2007

The Socrates Cafe discussions continue on Thursday 15 November 2007, from 7pm to 8.30pm, at The ROC, FNPF Dolphins Foodcourt, Victoria Parade, Suva. The topic for discussion will be "Are my choices really my choice?" This will be the last session for 2007 and the session will be on the second Thursday in February 2008.

Women's Art and Craft Exhibition from Lau Islands

The WWF-Fiji Country Program is holding an exhibition of women's art and craft from Kabara, Namuka and Komo in the Lau group of islands today, Thursday, 8 November 2007, from 3pm to 5pm at the Soqosoqo VakaMarama Complex, Nabua, Suva.

World Netball Championships - Fiji's games

The Fiji netball team has arrived at Auckland, New Zealand for the 2007 World Netball Championships. Fijians living in New Zealand has pledged their support for the team and will provide vocal support at Fiji's outings. Fiji's pool games at the Championships are as follows :

• Fiji vs Singapore, Sunday, 11 November 2007, 3.10pm Fiji Time;
• Fiji vs Jamaica, Monday, 12 November 2007, 7.10pm Fiji Time;
• Fiji vs Cook Islands, Tuesday, 13 November 2007, 1.10pm Fiji Time.

Fiji Television has not said yet whether they will screen the games live.

Pacific Sun's Suva-Taveuni flight

Pacific Sun is offering Diwali specials for its flights to and from Taveuni. The one way fare for the flight which goes via Nadi is F$130.00. No additional charges apply. For more information, pls call telephones (679) 3304388 or book on-line at http://www.pacificsun.com.fj/.

Carpenters/Morris Hedstrom's Building to be ready by Christmas

The Carpenters/Morris Hedstrom's Building in central Suva, built on the site of the old Morris Hedstrom's which was razed by fire in 1998, will be ready by Christmas 2007. The first and second floors of the complex will be ready by the first week of December. The complex will be a full department store shopping mall with a supermarket on the ground floor as well as a food court, bakery, liquor store, pharmacy, butcher and with speciality shops offering clothing, banking and jewellery. Level 2 will have a the Morris Hedstrom's Homemaker Division while Level 3 will have a high-end food court and a car park. The second part of this project will see the construction of a high rise structure that will be the tallest building in Fiji. Carpenters' Suva foreshore development also continues and will include a hotel, condominiums and an entertainment centre.

JJ's Superb Tastes of Diwali

JJ's on the Park presents The Superb Tastes of Diwali from today, Wednesday, 7 November, and Thursday, 8 November 2007, with a buffet feast of Indian specialities including :

• Rogan josh;
• duck curry;
• goat curry;
• Tandoori chicken;
• Chicken Tikka Masala;
• Butter chicken;
• Vegetarian curries.

A feast of savouries and sweets is also on offer.

For more information, pls call JJ's on the Park on telephone (679) 3305005.

Annual Catholic Rugby and Netball Tournament

The Central Eastern Region's Annual Catholic Rugby and Netball Tournament will be held on Friday, 23 November, and Saturday, 24 November 2007 at the Suva Grammar School and Corpus Christi grounds. For more information, pls contact Father Benny Kaloudau at the Suva Parish.

National Chess Championships

The 2007 National Chess Championships will be held from Thursday, 29 November, to Sunday, 2 December 2007, in Suva. First prize will be F$400.00.

Blog Readership : September 2007 vs October 2007

Here are some interesting readership statistics for our Promoting Suva blog for the months of September and October 2007. Data for September is given first followed by data for October. September 2007

• total number of visits - 1,745;
• total number of page views - 2,414;
• top 15 countries of origin of readers and no of visits per country - Fiji, 540; Australia, 304; United States, 272; New Zealand, 128; United Kingdom, 95; Canada, 74; Ivory Coast, 57; Nigeria, 26; India, 25; Germany, 16; Togo, 14; South Africa, 14; Ghana, 12; France, 11; Israel, 9;
• top 10 referring source - google / organic, 1,429; yahoo / organic, 75; (direct) / (none), 72; blogger.com / referral, 19; live / organic, 14; aol / organic, 11; msn / organic, 9; babasiga.blogspot.com / referral, 8; ivebeenthere.co.uk / referral, 8; google.com / referral, 7;
• top 20 keywords used in searches - sakiusa bulicokocoko, 22; tappoos, 12; tadra kahani, 11; fiji activities, 8; fijian recipes, 8; adi cakobau school, 7; tadra kahani 2007, 6; fijiliving, 5; clearview architects, 4; jese mucunabitu, 4; 2007 church in australia gmail.com, 3; dinesh lal yadav, 3; fiji muslim league, 3; fmf grand prix # 2 results fiji, 3; kidanet fiji, 3; lewis sahai, 3; ramadan in fiji, 3; sharmas holiday apartment fiji, 3; shobna chanel dance group, 3; suva, 3.

October 2007

• total number of visits - 2,102;
• total number of page views - 3,020;
• top 15 countries of origin of readers and no of visits per country - Fiji, 506; United States, 375; Australia, 362; New Zealand, 193; United Kingdom, 109; Canada, 75; India, 71; Ivory Coast, 56; Nigeria, 26; Ghana, 24; Germany, 19; South Africa, 19; Togo, 16; France, 15; Malaysia, 12;
• top 10 referring source - google / organic, 1,771; (direct) / (none), 75; yahoo / organic, 73; blogger.com / referral, 29; google.com / referral, 10; ivebeenthere.co.uk / referral, 10; aol / organic, 8; ask / organic, 8; search / organic, 8; altavista / organic, 4;
• top 20 keywords used in searches - tappoos, 8; impact world tour fiji, 7; tabu soro, 7; dinesh lal yadav, 6; malaga singers, 6; coconut buns, 5; miss fiji 2007, 5; fiji celebrations, 4; fijian dishes, 4; fijian recipes, 4; fijiliving, 4; suva events, 4; tappoos fiji, 4; http://www.fijitimes.com.fj/, 4; 2007 guestbook of graduated in information science email adreeses in india, 3; fiji activities, 3; fiji arts club, 3; fiji bati vs junior kangaroos, 3; fiji cancer society, 3; healthchek international, 3.

Observations

• Readership of the blog continues to rise with page visits growing by 20% or 357 during October 2007 compared to September 2007;
• Readers from Fiji, USA, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada continue to form our largest readership group being over 81% of our blog readers. Readers from these countries can best be targeted for marketing from this blog;
• Readership from USA surpassed those from Australia while readership from United Kingdom surpassed those from Canada in October 2007;
• Top referring site continues to be google.com with our search ranking and hits from google.com continuing to improve each month. Our site's search ranking on Google continues to do well with most searches, e.g. for 'Suva activities', 'Suva events', 'Suva Sports', 'Suva art', 'Suva craft', 'Suva tourist activities', 'Suva shopping', our site appears on Page 1;
• Keyword searches indicate that readers are searching for a broad range of issues from individuals, to activities, to places and sights, to shopping and art.

With Christmas and New Year coming up, merchants, traders and small businesses can best use our high Internet search rankings to market their products and services to our wide readership base.

Check our advertising rates here.

If you wish to discuss how we you can advertise your products and services on our blog, e-mail us on gilbertv2@connect.com.fj or gilbertv2@gmail.com or call telephones (679) 3396427 or (679) 9921427.

Discount on rental home for longer stays for December 2007 and January 2008

For those interested in booking a rental home in Suva during December 2007 and January 2008, we offer a large discount for longer stays. The discounts are off our marked rates which are advertised at the top of this blog or anywhere on the Internet. Please send us an enquiry via e-mail to promotingsuva@gilbert.com.fj or call telephones (679) 3396427 or (679) 9921427.

Fiji Netball team prepares for World Championships

The Fiji Netball team is preparing for the World Championships which will be held at Auckland, New Zealand from Saturday, 10 November 2007. Fiji is allocated to Pool C together with Jamaica, Cook Islands and Singapore. The team comprises :

1. Vilimaina Davu (player/coach);
2. Matila Waqanidrola;
3. Mere Rabuka;
4. Marjorie Parr;
5. Aliti Seru;
6. Matelita Shaw;
7. Maraia Bereso;
8. Taraima Rara;
9. Simone Nalatu;
10. Talei Bari;
11. Laniana Tuisasa; and
12. Ana Erenavula.

Davu is an ex-Silver Ferns netball player.

E-mails Working Again

My e-mails are working again. You can now use promotingsuva@gilbert.com.fj again. If you have any problems, use gilbertv2@gmail.com. The problems were fixed after I transferred hosting services to Internet Fiji, away from Connect Fiji.

Melbourne Cup Races

The Melbourne Cup Horse Races will be held today, Tuesday, 6 November 2007, Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia. This is a big society event in Suva with most hotels and clubs organising a hat competition for the ladies and sweepstakes for all. Each of these places will have something organised today :

• The Point After, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Veiuto, Suva;
• The United Club, Suva;
• The Holiday Inn, Victoria Parade, Suva.

Most bars will also have specials from midday until late into the night.

Check them out!

The B-there-or-be-Square Fundraiser Quiz Night

Rotary Club of Suva and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Social Club are organising a B-there-or-be-Square Fundraiser Quiz Night on Thursday, 22 November 2007, from 6.30pm to 9:30pm, at The Fale, Forum Secretariat Compound, Ratu Sukuna Road, Suva. Funds raised will be used for community projects. For tickets, pls contact Alisi Tuqa of the Rotary Club on telephone (679) 3311638 or email pitacoordinator@connect.com.fj or Maciu Koroitubuna of the Forum Secretariat on telephone (679) 3312600 or e-mail maciuk@forumsec.org.fj.

World Cinema - The Cloud-Capped Star

The Cloud-Capped Star will screen on Wednesday, 7 November 2007, from 7.00pm at the U8 Lecture Theatre, University of the South Pacific, Laucala Bay, Suva. This is part of the Pacific Writers Forum and the Alliance Française de Suva programme of monthly film screenings. The Cloud-Capped Star, is a film directed by Ritwik Gattak of India. It is set in the late fifties at Calcutta and is about a refugee family and the struggle of Nita, the oldest daughter, to keep them afloat and together. No admission fee required.

Pacific Sun Diwali Specials

Pacific Sun is offering the following specials for Diwali :

• Nadi-Suva, any day of the week, from F$80.00 one way; and
• Suva-Labasa, any day of the week, from F$90.00 one way.

The special fares are valid for sale and travel until 30 November 2007. No additional charges apply.

Diwali - The Festival of Lights

It is the week of Diwali. Most shops in the city would be offering items on sale to celebrate Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights where good conquers evil. The festival will be celebrated on Friday, 9 November 2007. Expect the homes of members of our Indian community all lit up during the night as they celebrate another year of the festival. Given that there is a ban on heavy firecrackers, one would expect more ingenious displays of lights this time. If you are visiting Fiji at this time, members of the Indian community invite friends to their homes to sample some of the vegetarian curries and sweets that they prepare for the occasion.