Fiji
Part of knowing yourself means working out the things, or perhaps the thing, you are good at. This isn’t always simple and it may require a very open mind. Knowing yourself also entails working out the things you are not good at. This is generally a lot easier. In fact, if you’re having any trouble with this bit it’s time to tell your mum you’re moving out.
One of my strengths is identifying the negative side to any person, place, animal or thing. I am like a falcon; where others see a sea of golden wheat, I will see the rat. No field is too wide or densely planted.
Not only can I zero in on the negative like a raptor, I use what I find sustainably: maximising the mileage I get from each negative detail and regularly reusing information.
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the reject miscreants of a dying civilisation stole a starship and headed to Earth. Their mission? To infiltrate the fashion industry and render it unsuitable for humans.
Every now and then, humans suspect that something has gone terribly wrong. In news today, people are suspicious because the 16-year-old winner of Miss World Fiji Torika Watters doesn’t look “native” enough. According to news.com.au:
“The ugly race row has even included attacks on Watters’ hair, with many claiming the model chosen to represent the island nation should have a “buiniga” - the local word used to describe the naturally-fuzzy Fijian hairstyle.”
Continue reading "Why Miss World contestants are sometimes not ‘native’" »
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Paige says:
Fashion is not an excuse for vain to blow income. Fashion is an art form, an expression of who you are. There is a difference between fashion and clothing. Clothing covers you up, fashion expresses who your characteristics. Read more »
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Paul M says:
Women wear fashion to impress one another. Screw you people. Evaporate into irrelevance. (Guys: google MGTOW) Read more »
While the rest of the world is throwing off the shackles of authoritarian regimes and taking the first steps towards democracy, one country is slipping further into military rule.
Fiji is not on the other side of the world, it’s in Australia’s neighbourhood. Many of us have visited as tourists and it’s a place where our Government has real influence.
Behind the smiles of the tourist industry it’s a place where citizens have few human rights, where the media are oppressed and where trade unions are targeted. Its economy is stagnating and Fijians are leaving in droves.
Continue reading "A gorgeous tropical paradise ruined by a cruel regime" »
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JP says:
Why don’t you redirect your efforts to the home front, there is so much to be done here, you could start with the long waiting lines at the casualty departments in hospitals, and if that isn’t enough, you could look into the waiting time for surgery in our hospitals, not… Read more »
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jf says:
SimonFromLakemba says:10:15am | 13/12/11 I think Castro’s brother in the coming years will be ok for Cuba.” I guess just as long as you are happy with things that are “pretty good for a dictatorship”. Read more »
When it’s this cold many of us think of escaping to a warm island paradise, but when it comes to Fiji the postcard images of warm water lapping pristine beaches mask an uglier picture.
Many travellers have been able to ignore the fact that Fiji is under a military dictatorship, but when the government is using their absolute power to stifle free speech and attack the rights of the workers who are serving you, it’s time to ask some serious questions.
The problem is what do we do? Making calls on how we treat developing nations, especially our neighbours, is always tough. Tourism keeps the Fiji economy afloat and is vital to the living standards of all its people. Fiji is far from being North Korea with palm trees – there is still some civil society and freedom left.
Continue reading "Fiji: Franksta’s paradise hides a dark side" »
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Leisha says:
Since you Erik are more interested to see the so called ethinic and cultural purpose of this issue I have an article written by a Fiji Born Australian name Graham Davis that explains the real motif behind this 2006 so called coup as opposed to Ged article that merely critiques… Read more »
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Leisha says:
Continue-I feel Frank Bainimarama is the only genuine PM and individual who for an indigenous guy who genuinely cares for people as a whole compared to corrupted leaders of the past who were doing things to self satisfy themselves and always used the divide and conquer rule or the race… Read more »
The island was tiny, accessible only by boat, populated by just seven guests and rained in for the entire weekend.
It was the sort of Agatha Christie setting in which someone almost certainly had to be murdered and by the end of the trip somebody almost was.
But let’s get to that later.
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Sleepless says:
Joe, you mentioned Agatha Christie at the start of the article. Couldn’t sleep all night and had to come back and look at the photo again this morning. The kid in blue to the left of the photo looks a bit guilty. The kid to the left is looking at… Read more »
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Prince says:
Joe - this is obviously a couples’ hideaway destination. You were perhaps bored because you went there with your mother and sister? Read more »
If there was an award for ‘most popular military dictator’ Commodore Frank Bainimarama would win hands down.
Muammar al-Gaddafi came close by hugging the Lockerbie bomber this week, but his habit of farting like a horse – and murdering thousands of his own people – relegated him to second.
Fiji’s coup leader, and Prime Minister, is viewed by the international community as a paranoid, unpredictable maverick.
Continue reading "As military dictators go Bainimarama ain’t that bad" »
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Charitha says:
What? They are banning the imrigmation of Fijians? And banning them from working here? That is just crazy! The work one is harmful on us, too, not just Fijians!There is a problem with your idea, FF. Bainimarama won’t allow “propaganda” about him to spread. So he’ll just arrest them before… Read more »
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leisha gibbons says:
Oh please tehre were more people murdered under the previous coups then this one the only difference between this coup is that its working to aid the grassroots of the people. This lady has done a great job in highlighting alot of things. Read more »
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