Tropical Island

Failing pirate school: Getting to Niutao

Failing pirate school: Getting to Niutao

Cannonball and Uncle Bulgaria dragged us away from the growing crowds, up the gently sloping beach, and onto the back of a waiting pickup truck which then drove us all of 300m down the dirt track which passes as the main road, to the room which I was to call home for the next six weeks.  That first night we were treated like kings and welcomed into the community like long lost brothers.  A feast had been prepared, and my stomach rejoiced at the thought of some sustenance after being empty for almost three days – little did I know that this was to begin the longest food binge I have ever been asked to undertake

Holy Coconuts on Easter Island

Holy Coconuts on Easter Island

When meeting most foreign dignitaries it is rarely advisable to engage them in conversation about war,  killing people with a bow and arrow, or pee, but apparently if you decide to spend Easter Sunday on a tiny islet in Funafuti then this is exactly what happens…

Video Killed The Radio Star

Video Killed The Radio Star

I never dreamed my first words on national radio would be in Fijian; in fact, until last week I wasn’t even sure Fijian was an actual language, but now, sat in the air-conditioned studios of Fiji Radio One, that’s exactly what I was attempting to speak.  Donning the headphones I tried to explain our role as Scout ambassadors to the 60,000 (potential) listeners to the fortnightly Scout radio programme broadcast all over Fiji, and the world – although I think a hastily written Facebook message did little to boost the international audience figures.