The best of Octopus

    Octopus management has changed several times since we were there in 2006. The present couple have been there only seven months but they seem to be doing an outstanding job. There has always been a real connection between the resort and the nearby village of Naluwaki whose chief gave permission for the creation of the resort in the first place. Most of the people who work at the resort are from the village and some of them have been there since the first ground-breaking. Their kids are growing up and finding their own jobs at Octopus.
    This year we found an increased emphasis on incorporating the Fijian culture on an every-day basis and on special occasions. Friday afternoon was special as the school-aged children from the village come home for the weekend (they board during the week as four villages on Waya Island share one school). This happens in reverse on Sundays when the families show up at the resort after the church service and the kids are treated to snacks and play before they climb aboard the boats to take them back for another week of studies.
    You can see that it’s hard on both parents and children but they do put an emphasis on education. It gets even worse at the high school level because they have to go to one of the large mainland islands and only get home on school breaks.
    Friday night was dedicated to Fijian culture. The evening started with a presentation of Fijian dancing and singing–a couple of dances from the men, a couple from the women and a couple with both male and female dancers. This was not a professional dance presentation but a celebration of joy from the villagers. They really seem to enjoy life. The dancing ended with the Fijians enlisting the resort guests to join them in a round of ‘Bula’ dancing. (Bula seems to be the Fijian word for ‘hello’ and many other expressions - something like the Hawaiian ‘Aloha’.)
    The entertainment was followed by a dinner that featured Fijian dishes. Not sure what some of the dishes were but there was plenty of edible food even for someone as picky as me. It was a special evening. Of course, not everything was focused on Fiji. On Thursday night we were treated to a fireworks display, presumably in honor of the US guests.
    We did get a chance to catch up with two of our favorite people from the earlier visit. Mariomi has moved into a supervisory role but she was there when we checked in on Wednesday and we had a chance to talk to her the first two days. She was off on the weekend so we didn’t get to say good-bye. Tai Voli had been the leader when we had visited the village for the church service in 2006. He wasn’t around the first few days but he was front and center as he lead the dance parade on Friday night.
    We couldn’t do the church service this year as it coincides with check-out time but he showed up in the afternoon and insisted on carrying my bag to the boat which took us out to the Yasawa Flyer. It was a little disappointing that there was no farewell singing group. The resort has a tradition of welcoming arriving guests and serenading departing groups with a small ensemble on the beach. I think it doesn’t work on Sundays as the villagers focus on church and their departing children. Still, I missed it. I had my camcorder all set to take the movie.