Ni Sa Moce I.S.S, Ni Sa Moce Fiji...

I'll upload more photos when we have better internet...our final Daikoku, my Afternoon Tea farewell gathering, the...ahem...interesting(!) photos from the Staff Function last Friday. For now I want to share the very moving, acapella-sung Fijian farewell song.

I defy anybody not to start tearing up upon hearing this- especially when it's your work colleagues singing it for you. Check it out on YouTube if you can- just type in 'Isa Lei'.

The gorgeous woven basket filled with leaving presents (including noodles, necklaces, and sulus!).  Around my neck is a salusalu garland, made with beautiful-smelling and brightly-coloured flowers. Lovely leaving gifts!

The card given to me by my students. Very sweet!

ISA LEI
(Guy/P/W)



Isa Isa vulagi lassa dina
Nomu lako au na rarawa kina
Cava beka ko a mai cakava,
Nomu lako au na sega ni lasa.

Isa Lei, na noqu rarawa,
Ni ko sana vodo e na mataka
Bau nanuma, na nodatou lasa,
Mai International nanuma tiko ga.

Vanua rogo na nomuni vanua,
Kena ca ni levu tu na ua,
Lomaqu voli me'u bau butuka
Tovolea ke balavu na bula.

Isa Lei, na noqu rarawa,
Ni ko sana vodo e na mataka
Bau nanuma, na nodatou lasa,
Mai International nanuma tiko ga.

Domoni dina na nomu yanuyanu,
Kena kau wale na salusalu,
Mocelolo, bua, na kukuwalu,
Lagakali, maba na rosi damu.

Isa Lei, na noqu rarawa,
Ni ko sana vodo e na mataka
Bau nanuma, na nodatou lasa,
Mai International nanuma tiko ga.


*****


ENGLISH TRANSLATION


Isa, Isa you are my only treasure;
Must you leave me, so lonely and foresaken?
As the roses will miss the sun at dawning,
Every moment my heart for you is yearning.

Isa Lei, the purple shadow falling,
Sad the morrow will dawn upon my sorrow;
O, forget not, when you're far away,
Precious moments beside dear International.

Isa, Isa, my heart was filled with pleasure,
From the moment I heard your tender greeting;
'Mid the sunshine, we spent the hours together,
Now so swiftly those happy hours are fleeting.

Isa Lei, the purple shadow falling,
Sad the morrow will dawn upon my sorrow;
O, forget not, when you're far away,
Precious moments beside dear International.

O'er the ocean your island home is calling,
Happy country where roses bloom in splendour;
O, if I could but journey there beside you,
Then forever my heart would sing in rapture.

Isa Lei, the purple shadow falling,
Sad the morrow will dawn upon my sorrow;
O, forget not, when you're far away,
Precious moments beside dear International.

The exit out of ISS Secondary.