ALL ABOARD
REVISED SEASON DATES
Dylan in dry dock The
season of
BOOOWK N
Ali Jones Writer, broadcaster, and housebus adventurer. @housebusdylan @dylanthehousebus
T
ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL
16 SEPT – 2 OCT 2022 DIRECTED BY
STEPHEN ROBERTSON
here’s a beauty about Fiji that goes beyond the sunsets, sunrises, sea, surf, and sand – the Fijian people. Those of you who have been following our adventures in Dylan the house bus may be wondering what Fiji has to do with anything? In May, we spent a week there, and it was far from our first time. Having lived in Fiji in the ’70s, it’s a lot like coming home. I remember the music, the food, the sea, and the people. With tourists returning in droves, it was fascinating speaking with so many working in the tourism sector about what they have been doing for the last two years and how things are now. Overwhelmingly there is a real joy at being back at the resorts and other related businesses, with most mentioning their friends, their work colleagues who they had not seen for many months; some not for the entire two-year break. Simeli, who is a food and beverage assistant at a well-known resort, helped his grandmother fish back in their village and sold hot sweetcorn by the side of the road after the pandemic pretty much closed the borders. He told me this with no sadness, bitterness, or regret. He is so happy to be back. As occupancy rates steadily increase every week, more of the resort employees are coming back from the villages. And the bookings are going nuts. The occupancy rates at most Denarau resorts are sitting at about 90 per cent as I write this, and the Coral Coast resorts – filled with families mainly from Australia and New Zealand – are also nudging mid 80 per cent. I am told there are periods later in the year when there is no room at all across the islands. The big issue will be flights. There is obviously some occupancy; however, there aren’t the seats to get people here. Let’s hope that changes and everyone who wants to, who is fortunate enough to be able to, can come to this amazing place which is home to the most wonderful people in the world. Kesa, Sulu, Simeli, Tue’e, Manu, Jonacin – vanaka vakalevu (thank you very much) and ni sa moce (goodbye). Until next time.
MUSICAL DIRECTION BY
RICHARD MARRETT
Read more from Ali at avenues.net.nz
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