B.M. Allsopp's Blog, page 5

Lest we forget Laba

Remembrance Day

In two previous posts, I told you of the outstanding World War II service of Fijians in the Pacific campaigns, and the inspiring heroism of Sefanaia Sukanaivalu who was awarded the Victoria Cross (posthumous). To honour all Fijians who served loyally in war this Remembrance Day and especially those who lost their lives, I'll bring you a story with a difference - that of Talaiasi Labalaba, known to his fellow soldiers as Laba.

In World War II, Fiji was part of the British Empire an...

Do-it-yourself Diwali

The festival of light

It's just two weeks to Diwali, the festival of light celebrated by Fiji's Hindus and Sikhs. Although the religious observances honouring Goddess Lakshmi take place over five days, just one day is a public holiday in Fiji. This year, it's the 4th November. As I explained on a previous Diwali post here, all races and religions in Fiji are enthusiastic about Diwali. Perhaps one reason for this is the public holiday; another is the Diwali custom of giving home-made sweets to r...

Fiji Islands Mysteries books 1-3

Excitement is mounting as the release date of the first Fiji Islands Mysteries box set fast approaches. Yes, it's just two days to blast-off.

Crime fans who like diving deep into turbulent waters will love B.M. Allsopp’s riveting whodunits.
If you haven't yet discovered DI Joe Horseman and DS Susie Singh, why not binge-read their omnibus?

You'll save nearly 30% off the cost of single buys, and for launch week only, the saving is 45%. Here's the link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09GB33WTY

Fiji and Covid-19: August 2021

High hopes dashed

I'm sad when I read my last update on the pandemic from March, just five months ago.

"... the restrictions seem to have worked. Fiji's total number of Covid-19 cases is 66, all on the two biggest islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Only two sufferers have died. Since last July, all new cases have been citizens returning from overseas, diagnosed during their compulsory 14-day quarantine period. The quarantine accommodation is secured by Fiji's military forces."

Just one month afte...

The perils of being white in Fiji

Not long after arriving in Suva, I was waiting at a crowded bus stop, idly watching chattering school kids in their colourful uniforms. Loud laughs drew my eye to a group of teenage boys playing with a rugby ball around and between the buses, ignoring the angry shouts of the drivers.. All over the world, boys will be boys! But one stood out because his skin was white. I saw in a second he was albino: his features were Fijian, his white hair was tightly crinkled.

When the boys eventually obeyed t...

Semisi Maya: heroic Fiji artist

I regret I've only recently discovered Semisi Maya. When researching my fifth Fiji Islands Mystery, I came across St Elizabeth's Home in Suva and couldn't resist a quick check. Some of the links were for Semisi Maya. the first Fijian artist to find international recognition. He lived for many years at St Elizabeth's, then a rehabilitation home for former leprosy sufferers. It was there Semisi learned to paint. It took him five years creating a technique before he painted a picture he was happy w...

The Blue Lagoon

What prompted your interest in Fiji or the South Pacific islands in general?

A friend from the University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva told me that The Blue Lagoon, starring 18 year-old Jean Simmons, inspired his career researching South Pacific history and politics. He caught this U.K. movie at a Sydney cinema as a teenager. The film was made in 1949 and shot on location in the Yasawa Islands in Fiji. My friend must have seen a revival many years later as he is younger than me.

All these...

Fiji's fabulous fabric: masi

Although Captain James Cook never landed in Fiji, the Fijians trading in Tonga whom he met in 1770 impressed him. "The Feejee men... were much respected here... if we might judge from several specimens their skill in workmanship; such as clubs and spears, which were carved in a masterly manner, cloth beautifully chequered, variegated mats, earthen pots; all of which had a cast of superiority in their execution."

While we can hardly lament the death of lethal weapon-making, it is a shame that b...

Fiji and Covid-19: update March 2021

Last July, my briefing here on Fiji and the Covid-19 pandemic aroused interest and concern. Eight months later, many of you will want to know what the virus is up to now in these beautiful islands.

Virus statistics

Fiji's first Covid-19 case was reported on 10th March 2020. After observing the virus rip through the rest of the world for two months, the Fiji government took swift action, banning international flights and gatherings of people, closing schools, imposing quarantine, a national curf...

Cyclone Yasa batters Fiji

Cyclone Yasa

Four years ago, I reported here about Fiji's recovery from 2016's Cyclone Winston, the most devastating cyclone in Fiji's history. I wrote then of the Fijians' resilience in the face of such disasters. All inhabitants of tropical islands know to expect the unexpected when it comes to the weather.

But just before Christmas 2020, after a very tough year of Covid-19 isolation and the shutdown of the vital tourist industry, Cyclone Yasa struck. Yasa, the strongest cyclone since Winston,...