If you’ve been reading my previous posts from Fiji, you’ll remember me mentioning the team of medical students we have on board. I have been referring to them as “the doctors,” which is what we call them on the boat, haha. Everyone has to have a position on the ship or else you’re useless, right? (Does Yoga Teacher count as a necessity?)
On a Tui Tai cruise, there is always some sort of humanitarian work. Liga (Linga) is our key to visiting many of these villages – he is well-respected and extremely knowledgeable about the different Fijian cultures (a post differentiating between Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian coming soon). He always makes our whereabouts known to the chief of every village we anchor near. In this way, every and any endeavor (surfing, diving, etc) is blessed and acknowledged by the local people, and karma is on our side.
Almost every evening, the doctors head into land to perform some simple health check-ups. They test for high blood sugar or blood pressure, and this service is much welcomed by the people. They bring a few simple medicines, and if they find someone has a more serious condition, they refer them tot he local nursing station (most are accessible to the villages within 1/2 hr to 1 hr by boat or taxi and are free, but they dislike going.)
As a guest on the Tui Tai, you can bring donations for the villages. It’s a casual affair, but very helpful, and much needed! The villages are always grateful for any simple medicines, school supplies or clothes. Though a relatively luxurious adventure cruise, you’re able to give a little back, and in a very personal way. The Tui Tai does a good job diffusing the usual awkwardness between vacationer and local since their reputation is known, and their demeanor is natural and just human.
On a humanitarian visit a few nights ago, the “surfer, dudes” suddenly found themselves in a room full of 30 very welcoming, kava drinking Fijian men. Without much choice in the matter, Trevor, Morgan and Brandon sat down to 5 or so bowls of the stuff – and succeeded in pleasing the group before sneaking out of the circle. Though 5 bowls may sound like a lot, in order to feel the mild effects, you must drink about 20 bowls of the ‘dirty dishwater.’
*Note; I enjoy the taste, and apparently so do Fijians, but that was what it was referred to as thereafter.
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My name is murtala hassan ahmad from nigeria, i am saying thanks for your work.
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[...] Tui Tai Humanitarian Charters in Fiji On a Tui Tai cruise, there is always some sort of humanitarian work. Every and any endeavor (surfing, diving, etc) is blessed and acknowledged by the local people, and karma is on our side. Read more> [...]