Living in Fiji during a global pandemic is something I never imagined! Well… no one saw this coming. B.C. (Before COVID!) impacted boarders lots of people left to home countries. Sometimes it was a decision made by employer, other time individual preference. Either way, the “remainers” are enjoying Fiji being COVID-Free.

More info here…

I have had a few people asking how to fill in the school holidays in Fiji over the Christmas/New Year break.  Here it is 7 or 8 weeks long (depending on your school). This is a considerable amount of time to fill.  I have put together some events that are coming up so everyone can get out of the house. For other events that have not yet been slated please feel free to add them to the post on the Find Your Feet Facebook page to create a repository for “all things happening” for a Fiji Christmas.

For Kids

This program is running for most of December.  Alliance Francaise is running this program at the Multiple Intelligence School.  Ages 5-12yrs.  Activities are in English with “a little bit of French”!

Cool off, get some exercise and have the kids increase their skill or learn a new skill. Swimming is a great way to ensure a good night’s sleep for all. Details are on the poster.

Aimed at working parents for the age group 10 year and below. This program seems to give a big bang for your buck. You can send your child as soon as they go on break. LIMITED SPACES Available. “Happy Holiday” Promotion Ends on Friday 28th December 2018.

Admin Fee $50 and $20 a day

Things provided by school:
Ø Morning tea
Ø Healthy lunch
Ø Afternoon tea
Ø Sleeping materials (Pillow, Blanket, mattress)
Ø Utensils, cups, plates, bowl, glass etc.

Time: 8 am – 4 pm

You may pick your child up as late as 6pm with no late pick up fees

Fun activities…Movies….Play dates…a great time for socialising with various age groups…safety and security.

Contact: 8323309/3380442
email: pioneer.t.dcc@gmail.com
Location: 137 Nailuva Road

Cool off, get some exercise and have the kids increase their skill or learn a new skill. Swimming is a great way to ensure a good nights sleep for all. Details are on the poster. The Rova family are lovely people and committed swimmers, you couldn’t be in better hands.

 

This is something new for Suva based kids. For kids over 3 years old. The venue is Hilton Special School, but it is aimed at able-bodied kids. Dates are 26 November-22nd December.  Getting your kids moving their bodies is a great break from “screen time”.

For everyone

Keep an eye on Alliance Francaise. They often have good movies and activities announced one or two days before the event.  Foreign language films with subtitles, art exhibitions, cooking classes.  Also the kids activities program at MIS above in the For Kids section.

 

At the end of November there is the Fiji National Championships for Badminton.  This could be a great rainy day activity to watch for as long or as short as you enjoy.

Head to Suva Markets to pick up some gorgeous flowers.  A Fresh Flower wreath is a luxury we can indulge in during a Summer Christmas in Fiji.

Staying fit during an indulging season like Thanksgiving Christmas & New Year can be difficult. The Russ Challenge looks like a real challenge.  Check the facebook page here for details. It is listed as Saturday December 22nd 6am. The details are:

Russ Challenge:
Join Russ on December for the Russ Challenge. In my line of work being physically fit and mentally prepared could mean the difference between life and death. To do this for years, deployed in different continents on different operations require me to be ready for anything. Sometimes you can be working in a team and the very next month you’re all alone in foreign country; being ready, prepared and focused is extremely important.

I kept a training routine that I’ve always fall back on to test my physical capabilities and mental focus before heading out.

If you are an Active Duty Military, Police, Corrections, Fireman or an interested Individual. Fill free to write on this event wall. Bring your unit, teams, group or family and enjoy the work out !

Exercise:
200 Proper Push Up
200 Sit-ups
50Dead Weight Pull Up
50 Burpees

10 KM Run and return with a 50 KG backpack and hike for 10 KM

Complete 2×3 minute round Sparring 
1 set 50 reps Burpees (no rest)

and Survive a Stress test with Knife Attack, Self-Defence and Weapons Disarmament.

 

The tree is already up and the lighting event is taking place at GPH on 23rd November.  They are certainly getting in early.  It is a fundraiser for St Christopher’s Home.

As I drove through Damodar City carpark today (before the inevitable traffic jam to get out!) I saw the tree being put up. I often resent the tree as it takes up valuable car spaces. However, going along to the lighting of it could be fun. On Saturday 1st December.

I recently did the sunset cruise. Even though the weather wasn’t great, sprinkling but not raining (oh Suva!!) is was a fantastic experience. I can definitely recommend it.  After living in Fiji for so long and seeing many druas, sailing on one, even with a tarpaulin sail(!) was excellent.

Getting Away

As I have said before, you can pick up excellent resort deals before Christmas.  The closer you get to Christmas and the later you book, you can pick up some bargains.

Uprising Resort have come to the party early with some great local deals.

Staying Home

Remember we are in cyclone season. So stay up to-to-date with weather reports.  Have your cyclone preparation done before you Christmas Shopping.  Cyclones wont wait for you.  We are predicted to have 7-11 named Tropical Cyclones in the Pacific, and predicted to have the average amount of cyclones here in Fiji.

Crime is usually on the rise in the lead up to Christmas. Stay safe.

As I post this on Thanksgiving, I wish all my American friends a Happy Thanksgiving. To everyone, have a wonderful Christmas and New Year period.  If you have guests coming, particularly with special needs (older parents, limited mobility etc) or children of an age you are unfamiliar with, I can recommend some activities tailored for you to enjoy. Please contact me for anything to help you Find Your Feet.

Updated Forecast November 2018 – April 2019 Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Thank you NIWA for the forecasted weather patterns for our region.

The good news is…

The cyclone forecast for Fiji is to expect a “normal” cyclone season. This means we can expect 2-3 cyclones in our area between November 2018 – April 2019.

Preparation

You can read what the difference is between a Typhoon, Cyclone and Hurricane here.

Make sure you are prepared now. Cyclone preparation isn’t fun. Especially when shoppers are going crazy and the candles shelf is empty! A friend of mine didn’t take my warnings and by the time Winston was due to hit he found only small Diwali candles (think the size of one finger!) available.

Ensure you are up to date by checking weather sites (suggestions below) and make sure you have a radio with batteries. If internet or electricity is down radio will keep you informed. My husband prefers Windy.com, here is the link for Fiji co-ordinates https://www.windy.com/-18.151/178.455?-18.041,179.165,8 

Site	URL	Useful for
Fiji Meteorological Service	http://www.met.gov.fj/	Updates from the Government of Fiji
Tropical Storm Risk	http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com/	I find this one the best
Time & Date Nadi	https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/fiji/nadi/ext	14 Day extended forecast
Time & Date Suva	https://www.timeanddate.com/weather/fiji/suva	Suva forecast

If hope you found this post useful, please share it with your networks. If you have any questions please contact me and I’d be happy to help.

Updated Forecast November 2018 – April 2019 Tropical Cyclone Outlook

Thank you NIWA for the forecasted weather patterns for our region.

Cyclone in Fiji

The earliest cyclone on record means we need to be preparing for cyclone season now.

Hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Typhoons, Hurricanes and cyclones are all tropical storms. They are all the same thing but are given different names depending on where they appear.

When they reach populated areas they usually bring very strong winds and rain which can cause a lot of damage.

Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over the North Atlantic Ocean and Northeast Pacific.

Cyclones are formed over the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. (This is us here in Fiji)

Typhoons are formed over the Northwest Pacific Ocean. (source BBC.co.uk)

Prepare for a cyclone

Read the post Weather in Fiji.  This covers the basics of food water and housing. The good thing about preparing for a cyclone is that you cannot do it too early.  All your supplies you buy now in September will last until May when the season is over.

In addition some good ideas for Fiji residents who might have an emergency supplies carton somewhere: bury it.  There is no point having an emergency supply of toilet paper and tinned goods if it blows away.

Further to the information in last years post, here is a handy video showing what each category of cyclone can look like.  The categories for Typhoon, Hurricane or Cyclone are all the same. Category 1 being smallest and category 5 being largest and most devastating.

There is talk of a new Category 6 being added to cyclone classifications.  TC Winston hit Fiji in February 2016 with winds measuring above 280km/h (175mph) which is much higher than the current category 5 upper limit of 230km/h.

Prediction for 2018/19

Philip Duncan, Head Forecaster from Weather Watch in NZ has said “To see a cyclone form so early in the season may be an indicator of bigger storms to come this summer.”

The local Fijians always say if the breadfruit and mango trees are bountiful then a cyclone is coming. I am not sure that my mango trees are that smart, but they are certainly loaded at the moment.  Therefore I am going to stock up on batteries, water, candles and a new deck of cards!

Fiji, known for the tropical postcard of constant hot temperatures, white sandy beaches and a gentle breeze. It is not always the case! Currently the UK is having a heatwave of temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius which makes most of us in this region chuckle. Winter in Fiji is during the dry season May-October each year.More info here…

Find Your Feet would like to extend an invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Find their Feet in Fiji when they visit!!.

More info here…

After my last article on Soccer vs Football vs Rugby I had a number of conversations on Rugby. So this is a small follow-up. Most noteworthy are the upcoming Rugby games. I have listed Fiji times according to Fiji Rugby Union. the table includes Fiji times and venues.

More info here…