Back in the States

I have returned after a long journey from the Eastern Coast of the United States to Oceania.

Fiji coup in December of 2006

Go to this website for updated information on the political situation in Fiji.

http://www.fijitimes.com/

Almond Fruit

I can't remember the exact name of this fruit. It grows way up in the tree and resembles a large lime. You can break it open and it contains a nut that taste like an almond.

Uncovering the Earth Oven...

Approximately 2 hours later we uncovered the earth oven and were ready to eat.

Covering the Earth Oven

For the next step, criss-cross palm frond cuttings on top of the rocks. Try to make the fronds as level as possible. Then wrap up the fish, or whatever meat is available, in aluminum foil and place it on the cuttings. Now place a metal grate over the aluminum foil. Bananna leaves are now added to the top along with a piece of small tin. The purspose of using bananna leaves is to mimick the smoking and baking process. The leaves hold the heat in the ground. A potato bag made of burlap can be substituted if bannana leaves are not an option. Now shovel dirt on the earth oven until it stops smoking.

Coconuts

Coconuts grow wild everywhere in Fiji. Here we used the coconut husks to feed the fire and the coconut meat (the white part) to make into a milk. After the fish on the stick was cooked it was soaked in homemade coconut milk to add flavor (check the photos near the top).

lovo = Earth Oven

In Fiji, people cook food in a lovo or Earth Oven. First you dig a large hole and start a fire in the bottom. Then throw ten to fifteen smooth rocks that can withstand a tremoundous amount of heat without cracking.

Fijian Art