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SHIPPING NEWS
Work has begun on the Aiwo Boat Harbor area, which will help make it Nauru’s
first international and cargo terminal, improving the country’s maritime trade
and connectivity. Nauru’s President Lionel Aingmiea says will help the country
realise its dream of having an international port.

BUSINESS CLASS
The East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program (PIDP) is
currently accepting applications for the Spring 2020 Cohort of the Pacific Islands
Tourism Professional Fellows Program. The program brings tourism profes-
sionals from across the region together for a six week course to build their skills
and develop professional bonds between industry leaders. Applications close on
November 31 and can be accessed by visiting the East West Centre website.

Work at the Fiji Aviation Academy is back on track, with two full-flight
simulators now installed. The Fiji Airways- owned and run facility will offer flight
training to pilots and aircrew across the region. It’s scheduled to open by year’s
end.
TRIP PLANNER
Front Page—the publisher of this magazine—has partnered with Rosie Travel
Group, Fiji Airport Limited and Media Metro to produce the DISCOVER
FIJI travel guide, available to visitors on arrival in Fiji. Designed to “inspire and
improve the arrival experience of our international visitors” it includes personal
experiential stories of what they can do during their stay in Fiji. The Rosie Travel
Group has produced an accompanying Mobile App, “a digital concierge booking
service and marketplace.”

FIJI – JUST HOW IT IS TODAY
The author of Fiji, Just how it is today, wants to share her insights into the real Fiji with the “tens of
thousands” of people who visit Fiji each year. She wrote it at the urging of Mohit Singh, a manager with
Tappoos who a couple of years ago, suggested the book’s profits could go towards Pacific Dialogue, a
charity where Kailola works.
Kailola, a long time Pacific resident, tapped the expertise of learned and well-connected Fijians and
academics, and her own research and experience to write the book. She has also included anecdotes,
vignettes and “little stories because I was inspired. I would see something and I would think ‘oh I better
write about that.’”
The book’s first chapter is called ‘the heavy stuff comes first,’ and covers where Fijians come from, land
ownership, traditional and social structures and the arrival of Indians and missionaries to Fiji. Subsequent
chapters range from traditional craft and arts to lovos, second-hand clothing, market barrow bows and
traditional myths and legends. It’s written in a simple but engaging style, which makes it easy to dip in
and out.
Kailola says besides tourists looking for a bit more information about Fiji, the book is also for expatriates
who come and work here.
She says: “ I find that 50 per cent of expatriates who go to other countries to work, they don’t bother
learning about the country, they’re just not interested…but the other half take quite an interest in things.”
“I think the main thing to get out of it is to try and understand how Pacific Islanders tick. There’s a
chapter in there called family, which is very important. And another called relationships, which is even
more important in the Pacific.”
While Fiji, Just how it is today is not a traditional guidebook, Kailoloa does have some recommendations
for visitors to Fiji.
“I’d go to a village. But as you know, you have to be invited to a village. You could look up the Fiji Ruck-
sack club and ask them.” And if you only a short break and you’re in Suva? “Go to the museum.”

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