Looks familiar?

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of the year again where Fiji experiences the joys of mother nature and what she has to offer, namely in the form of a Cyclone called Daman Gene. Thats right, Fiji will be adding yet another historic event to its logbook.

A cursory glance at the above picture will show how Cyclone Daman Gene, was formed right smack bang in the centre of Fiji. Somehow, Daman Gene decided, “You know what? It would be fun to say form right in the middle of Fiji so that EVERYONE can feel the love!” Next thing you know, Fiji gets a hurricane, and a weird sounding one at that.

The only good thing this cyclone ever got right was its timing, choosing to visit just on the start of Monday afternoon, spelling ‘day-off’ for everyone, me included.

On a less then happy note, 4 people were killed in the wake of the cyclone. The most unfortunate death being the form 3 student who went swimming at the vatuwaqa passage on Tuesday, a day after the cyclone was supposed to have passed. However, the winds were still very strong, and the girl was swept away by strong currents.

Lesson of the day?

Cyclone + Sea Current = NO SWIMMING. PERIOD.

Note: If the above post looks somewhat familiar, thats because I’ve copy pasted from a previous article “Sit at home and watch shit fly”. Lazy? Not really. Template? Maybe. I did this to illustrate how often Fiji gets cyclones (we’ve mastered Disaster Management to a fine art I tell you) and perhaps who knows? This could be the new standard for reporting on cyclones and hurricanes happening here in Fiji!

A cursory glance at the above picture will show how Hurricane Daman, when formed, was travelling away from Fiji. Somehow, along that trip in the opposite direction, Daman decided, “You know what? It would be fun to say hello to Fiji on behalf of dear ol’ mummy. After all, they do have interesting beer. Or so I’ve heard…” Next thing you know, Fiji gets a hurricane, and a weird sounding one at that.

They’re moving the tourists from the smaller islands back to Nadi, which sounds like a safe plan, though I’m wondering about the poor guys left behind on the island.

And this hurricane can’t even get its timing right, choosing to visit just on the eve of Friday night for crying out aloud. There goes most people’s night out. Mine included.

On a more interesting by-note, the local Meteorological Services name their hurricanes in alphabetical order. Their last hurricane was called Cliff, with the current one Daman, and they’ve already planned ahead with the next hurricane christened Elisha.

Its a rather comforting feeling knowing that the National Meteorological Services has the country’s best interest at heart by naming hurricanes before they arrive. Be prepared, as they say.

Because Hurricanes often have a soft spot for Fiji, it’s often hard to imagine life without one. A friend of mine was chatting me from Singapore, and he found hurricanes intriguing.

Friend: Oh dear. You’re getting a hurricane?

Me: Bah. No biggie. We get them all the time. (Which isn’t far from the truth…if the truth were to be stretched abit…)

Friend: jeez.

Me: Don’t you guys get hurricanes?

Friend: Hehe, just monsoon. Lots of rain. Like you said, no biggie.

Me: Ahh glad to hear that.

Friend: From the sound of things, you seem to be on the worser side of things.

(pause)

Friend: So…what exactly do you do during a hurricane?

Me: Hmmm. Sit at home and watch shit fly.

Friend: Ahh.

What else do you do during a hurricane?