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Collin McKenny
  • Female
  • Savusavu (Vanua Levu)
  • Fiji
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Fiji sunset

I just had to post this GORGEOUS sunset photo, taken a couple of days ago.  Fiji gets amazing sunsets and where we're located, on Natewa Bay, they're especially beautiful with the rain forest and mou…

Started Mar 7

Lomalagi Resort - slide show video!

A friend of mine on Twitter pulled photos from the resort's FaceBook page and made a SURPRISE slide show video on YouTube! It really came out well..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FHdGYbJpQ  The…

Started Mar 3

Advice to Australia regarding Fiji

Excellent post on the Crosbie blog today.... (o+) Appeal to My Cousins Across the Ditch  The Australian government seems to have taken no notice of Prof. Herr's report, repeating the old line: no…

Started Jan 29

Fiji - NZ relations heading in a positive direction / Crosbie

(+) Moves in Fiji-NZ Relations Government has nominated Permanent Secretary for Information and Military Spokesperson Lt. Col. Neumi Leweni to take up a counsellor's post at the Fiji High Commiss…

Tagged: http://www.crosbiew.blogspot.…

Started Jan 21

 

Collin McKenny's Page

Latest Activity

Collin McKenny added a discussion
Fiji sunset
I just had to post this GORGEOUS sunset photo, taken a couple of days ago.  Fiji gets amazing sunsets and where we're located, on Natewa Bay, they're especially beautiful with the rain forest and mountain backdrop!
on Sunday
Collin McKenny added a discussion
Lomalagi Resort - slide show video!
A friend of mine on Twitter pulled photos from the resort's FaceBook page and made a SURPRISE slide show video on YouTube! It really came out well..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7FHdGYbJpQ  The photos were not all taken by me ~ some guest phot…
March 3
Collin McKenny replied to Scott Kukral's discussion 'New VAT refund system'
Scott's right ~ it's for goods only. Fiji had "duty free" shops many, many years ago and the intention is to move back in that direction for high-ticket items. Fiji's black pearls, for example.....
February 19
Collin McKenny replied to Scott Kukral's discussion 'Dolphins at Cousteau Resort'
That's very cool! The only "resident" dolphins in Fiji are in Natewa Bay ~ they're Spinners, the small ones.
February 19
Collin McKenny replied to Collin McKenny's discussion 'Cyclone Mick update (Thursday 17 December)'
That's an amazing photo from Cyclone Mick! Unfortunately, we need another major storm (or lots of steady rain) to alleviate the water shortage Fiji is experiencing now due to the El Nino conditions in the South Pacific. Many parts of Fiji are "offic…
February 2
Robert F. Kay replied to Collin McKenny's discussion 'Cyclone Mick update (Thursday 17 December)'
Wow Nanise that's quite a shot of Ba! Thanks for that.
February 1
Collin McKenny replied to Collin McKenny's discussion 'US grants initiated in Fiji'
I think it's completely separate! If you read the inclusions for the US$100K "designed to fund worthy projects that promote women's political, economic, and social advancement" my GUESS is that the Battery Field initiative is outside of this. ALL of…
February 1
Nanise Cakaunitabua replied to Collin McKenny's discussion 'US grants initiated in Fiji'
Is this the same grant that is upgrading the Battery Field in Lami. Steven McGann went to see himself the battery field which was once used by American, Kiwi, Australian & Fijian Army during WW2 the purpose of which was to stop Japanese troops movin…
February 1
Collin McKenny commented on Robert F. Kay's blog post 'Continental Inaugural Tour— Lomalagi, Visions of George Harrison on Vanua Levu'
If I enlarge the photo of George & Olivia Harrison, unfortunately resolution is lost. Here's something interesting ~ the Fiji Times story after he died.
January 29
Collin McKenny added a discussion
Advice to Australia regarding Fiji
Excellent post on the Crosbie blog today.... (o+) Appeal to My Cousins Across the Ditch  The Australian government seems to have taken no notice of Prof. Herr's report, repeating the old line: no relaxation of sanctions until there's signs of pr…
January 29
Collin McKenny commented on Robert F. Kay's blog post 'Continental Inaugural Tour— Lomalagi, Visions of George Harrison on Vanua Levu'
No ~ I'll see if it will enlarge without losing resolution.....
January 28
Collin McKenny commented on Robert F. Kay's blog post 'Continental Inaugural Tour— Lomalagi, Visions of George Harrison on Vanua Levu'
Go ahead and add it! :))
January 28
Collin McKenny commented on Robert F. Kay's blog post 'Continental Inaugural Tour— Lomalagi, Visions of George Harrison on Vanua Levu'
Here's a photo of George and Olivia Harrison when they were here.....
January 28
Collin McKenny commented on Robert F. Kay's blog post 'Continental Inaugural Tour— Lomalagi, Visions of George Harrison on Vanua Levu'
A falling coconut really DID smash the ukulele!! It "disappeared" into the village and I had to cajole the band boys to get it back!! :))
January 28
A discussion started by Collin McKenny was featured
Fiji - NZ relations heading in a positive direction / Crosbie
(+) Moves in Fiji-NZ Relations Government has nominated Permanent Secretary for Information and Military Spokesperson Lt. Col. Neumi Leweni to take up a counsellor's post at the Fiji High Commission in Wellington. The nomination of a military pe…
January 21
Collin McKenny added a discussion
Fiji - NZ relations heading in a positive direction / Crosbie
(+) Moves in Fiji-NZ Relations Government has nominated Permanent Secretary for Information and Military Spokesperson Lt. Col. Neumi Leweni to take up a counsellor's post at the Fiji High Commission in Wellington. The nomination of a military p…
January 21

Profile Information

I'm interested in
Language, Culture, Other
I've visited and/or lived in
Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Mamanuca, Yasawa
Website
http://www.lomalagi.com
About me
I own (built) a small resort in the Fiji Islands on Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island (the resort is near Savusavu) as my "Escape from Corporate America". The resort name ~Lomalagi~ means HEAVEN in the Fijian language! I was born and raised in (West) Seattle WA, graduated from the University of Washington and the Pacific Coast School of Banking. My professional career was all in retail banking, taking me from Seattle to Northern California to Cincinnati OH over the years. I "retired" VERY early, as a Senior Vice President. I moved to Fiji with my now-ex in 1997 after purchasing an incredible 25 acre coconut plantation on Natewa Bay, the largest deep water bay in the South Pacific, and have been here even since!

I have two Twitter accounts. My "social account" is @FijiLomalagi. For posts ONLY about Fiji, I use @LomalagiFiji. You are invited to follow either or both!

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Collin McKenny's Blog

Collin McKenny

So, you want to be a millionaire? Start with $2 million!

My “Escape from Corporate America” stories are about my experiences in the Fiji Islands but they could have happened in ANY “emerging nation”.

Since you’re setting up a business that’s going to cost a lot to build, the locals think you have LOTS of money. Therefore, it’s perfectly okay – expected, in fact -- to cheat you! You won’t notice, right? And, you DON’T notice until you figure things out…. My lawyer here had recommended that we wait for a bit before starting the resort, until we knew th… Continue

Posted on December 16, 2009 at 11:41am —

Collin McKenny

An Expat's View of Fiji Politics - Part 2!

After the 2006 coup, I spoke with lots of people here, especially other business owners and resident expats as well as educated Fijians & Indo-Fijians. The common thread was that Bainimarama effected the coup the wrong way for the right reasons. Does that make sense? Nobody wanted to see guns on the street although in many parts of the world, that's the norm - police carry guns in America, but not here. (The guns went "off the streets" here after a very short time.) People living in the capi… Continue

Posted on November 22, 2009 at 1:35pm — 7 Comments

Collin McKenny

An Expat's View of Fiji Politics

I had planned to tell resort construction "war stories" next but since there's such intense interest in Fiji politics (especially in Australia and New Zealand!) let's go THERE....with some history first and then current events!

I've been here since 1997 so my knowledge of events prior to that time is anecdotal. Fiji was a British colony until 1971. The Brits brought citizens of India to Fiji to work the sugar cane fields in the mid-1800's -- the Fijians wouldn't do it. Neither would the Japanes… Continue

Posted on November 19, 2009 at 11:23am — 1 Comment

Collin McKenny

How did you end up in FIJI??? Part 2!

When we arrived on the island of Vanua Levu (Fiji's second largest island) that day in May 1996, the rental car guy said we'd need a 4x4 when he found out where we were staying -- there was just a "track" going into the property! It took ALL DAY to get the 4x4 from the other side of the island. The chief from the closest village was with us -- and by the time we got to the property it was dark (and raining). We couldn't see ANYTHING and were exhausted. Cincinnati ~ LAX ~ Nadi ~ Savusavu ~ plus w… Continue

Posted on November 18, 2009 at 11:53am — 2 Comments

Comment Wall (5 comments)

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At 11:09pm on January 19, 2010, Robert F. Kay said…
Was thinking, you *really* need a proper display case for GH's uke. You gotta do that.
At 7:29am on November 16, 2009, Robert F. Kay said…
Hi Collin,

That has yet to be determined! My trip plans are still in flux. Will keep you posted...
At 9:59pm on November 12, 2009, Robert F. Kay said…
Hi Collin,

It's Rob and I'm in LA! Welcome aboard. I've got some very smart people working with me. Thank goodness for that!
At 6:31pm on November 12, 2009, Daniel Leuck said…
Bula Collin! We are very happy to have you.

Thank you for the fantastic experience at Lomalagi! Please say hello to your team from us.

We set up a Vanua Levu group for you.
At 2:10pm on November 12, 2009, Mika Leuck said…
Welcome, Collin! I am so glad to see you on fijiguide.com!!
 
 

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