The launch of the canoe Uto Ni Yalo (Heart of Souls) could not have come at a better time than the opening of the South Pacific Pageant yesterday.

Blessed with a kaleidoscope of culture, religion and tradition that entails the way of the Pasifika seafarers, the official launch was honoured by the presence of 11 of the 12 contestants who will be vying for the Miss South Pacific crown this year.

The canoe ferried the queens from Laucala Bay to the capital where the official opening of the festival was to take place.

Launched in the early hours of yesterday morning, the British High Commissioner and chief guest, Malcolm McLachlan, said the day marked a new era for the newly-formed Fiji Islands Voyaging Society (FIVS).

"I am proud to note that an objective of the FIVS is to contribute to sustainable development and preservation of the Fiji Islands marine and land environment through resource renewal and public education," said Mr McLachlan.

In June next year, he said a flotilla of canoes would sail from Fiji to Hawaii to advocate the protection of our ocean environment and rekindle traditional voyaging, sailing and navigational skills.

"People of the Pacific rely a great deal on marine life, which is constantly subjected to global warming and climate change. "

He said the world was 15 days away from Copenhagen 2009 where 8000 people representing 170 countries would meet on the prevention of global warming and climate change.

"These challenges are real and urgent. Therefore, I am very encouraged to see Pacific Island countries taking action to protect and preserve their ocean environment."

Mr McLachlan extended the well wishes of Queen Elizabeth and her people that Pacific Voyaging may remain a symbol to the close Pacific traditional links and its people.

Representing the Pacific Voyaging movement, Rawiri Patekere from New Zealand, said people of the Pacific had been the innocent victims of ocean noise pollution for years.

"And the time has come for the Pacific to unite, stand firm while they voice their concerns," Mr Patekere said.

"The sea has been crying for years and it is time to answer that call for help.

"It's too late to point fingers at greater world imperialists but we can hold hands and stand together and begin our journey with the right words.

"For such a moment is where ideas and thought will be heard."

Regaling on the words of his late grandfather who said "when you paddle your canoe, paddle quietly" meaning that everything was done in respect of Moana and the Fenua, who the founding ancestors of the Pacific had continually prayed for and blessed before it is handed down to the next generation.

"As story tellers, what would we tell our children?"

Source: Fiji Times - http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=134100

Discover Fiji Time has just WON an Interactive TXT Campaign thanks to TXT2GET!

This is GREAT NEWS for the Gotta Love Fiji campaign coming up in December!!

We're completely confident that New Zealand is in for a treat, with creative ideas already flowing - this is going to be a campaign to remember!

A huge VINAKA VAKA LEVU to TXT2GET!

This competition is going to be much bigger than we thought - in fact, it's going to be HUUUGE.

Click on the friendly fella below to learn more about what just happened on the TXT2GET Facebook page :)

Have you ever thought about the sheer energy of millions of people all actively engaged in something?

Click on the logo below to watch a short video (4m 30s) about the scale of what IS possible, then start getting excited about Gotta Love Fiji 2009, coming to you soon! :)

Learn more at Gotta Love Fiji

Introducing... "The Greatest Social Media Competition in 2009!" - remember those words.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting the guys from "Gotta Love.." and "Spreadit.biz".

During our conversation, we decided to join forces to create the "Gotta Love Fiji" campaign - using powerful, cutting-edge technology AND SOCIAL MEDIA to promote Fiji in a way that I don't think the world has seen before.

This could well be absolutely HUGE - and really put the 'spotlight' on Fiji.

Please visit Gotta Love Fiji and watch the video to learn more about this exciting campaign, and the huge power of social media! :)

We will be giving away prizes every hour, on the hour, for 5 DAYS in December!

The more people that sponsor/support Gotta Love Fiji, the better it will be for everyone involved - and for Fiji!

So... if you own or market accommodation, transfers, activities in the Fiji Islands, now is the time to shine!

We are currently seeking sponsors for this event - 2 nights incl. breakfast from resorts (perhaps), free transfer vouchers, passes to some of Fiji's greatest tours and activities - you get the idea..! :)

We intend to have everything in place BY THE END OF NOVEMBER and run the competition itself in DECEMBER!

If you're reading this and thinking "I don't own a business in Fiji, but I sure would like to win some free stuff!" then be sure to head on over to Gotta Love Fiji enter your email address into the 'You've Gotta Be in to Win!' entry form and we'll email you to let you know when the competition is about to start!

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To become part of this exciting, ground-breaking opportunity, please contact Elliot directly via elliot@discoverfijitime.com or NZ mobile +64 21 213 4369 to register your support - alternatively you'll find a 'Become a Sponsor'sign-up form on the site at http://gottalovefiji.com

 
Let's make this happen!

THE Greensteps program in Suva has been a success and there are plans to extend it to other parts of the country.

Co-ordinator of Greensteps, businessman Alex Austin said by the end of this year he would achieve his aim of installing 100 rubbish bins in Suva.

"I have also been approached by Labasa Town Council and Deuba community to install bins," he said.

Mr Austin said the program has been better than he had ever imagined.

"It has been more than successful. The response from the community has been great and there was fantastic support from the corporate community," he said.

He said people have been using the bins as it should be used.

"We found minimal abuse of the bins," Mr Austin said.

Greensteps was formed in 2008 and employs four people to empty the rubbish bins every day.

Mr Austin said he planned to increase the number of rubbish bins in Suva and will also increase the number of people he employs.

He said people who have asked for the installation of the bins have to arrange the financing of the bins.

"In Suva I am the owner of the bins but for other parts of the country I will have to send it over and let them manage it," he said.

Mr Austin started Greensteps after realising that the litter problem in Fiji had gone out of control.

Greensteps gets local businesses and families to sponsor bins which are installed around the city or in locations of their choice.

Did you see the VERY special Auckland/Nadi ticket sale at Air New Zealand this morning?

$31 + taxes!

Keep an eye on www.grabaseat.co.nz - there'll no doubt be more again soon...

WOW!

It's available WORLDWIDE as a digital download!

Click on the cover below to get a taste of paradise...

Enjoy :)

Bula Vinaka!

In case you haven't heard, the NEW CLOSING DATE for people & businesses wishing to be part of Discover Fiji Time Magazine Issue 4 - our very special Collector's Edition is:

||| 5.00PM, FRIDAY 27th NOVEMBER 2009 |||

Production is in full-swing at the moment and it's clear that this is gearing up to be the BEST ISSUE YET of Discover Fiji Time Magazine ---> design is already WELL UNDERWAY and it's looking GREAT!

The magazine is already OVER 250 PAGES in size! (+ still growing) and we have a huge level of support from a large variety of important businesses and organisations throughout the Fiji Islands!

A HUGE VINAKA VAKA LEVU to everyone (the 50+ organisations) that have already secured their pages in our Collector's Edition! :)

We are fast running out of space in the magazine BUT if you would like to get involved IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

The Collector's Edition will be going out to MORE COUNTRIES THAN EVER BEFORE, and also available WORLDWIDE online as a Digital Magazine.

If you'd like to know more about the opportunities available and how to get involved, talk to Elliot today and ask how Discover Fiji Time can help your Fiji business - you might be pleasantly surprised by what we can do for you :)

Have a great day!

Contact Details:

Elliot Stubbs

International Sales Manager

NZ mobile (direct): +64 21 213 4369

www.twitter.com/thefijiislands

elliot@discoverfijitime.com

www.discoverfijitime.com

November 2009

Fiji has set a world mark by becoming the first country to implement a national low carbon travel and tourism sector initiative.

Josefa Tuamotu, Tourism Fiji's CEO, said the intention was not only to benefit the people of Fiji but provide a model for low carbon tourism to Fiji’s immediate neighbours:

"We intend showing the world that even as a small nation, we can set the pace when it comes to critical international action in an area that is affecting each and everyone one of us today. As the world becomes more and more aware of the efforts needed to protect the global environment, a subject that has become an everyday issue for people all over the world, it is inherent on the world to unite to ensure that we leave our children and our children’s children and the generations to come with a world fit for everyone to live in and prosper.

It has long been a dream of mine that Fiji and particularly Fiji’s tourism industry becomes a leader in this area and helps us become a nation recognised for its efforts on behalf of the entire global village. To this end we hope in the not too distant future to unveil the plans that we and our industry colleagues plan to establish and in the process shine a spotlight on a new capability for Fiji and its people."

Information source: South-Pacific.Travel

More: http://www.south-pacific.travel/wordpress/?p=151#more-151