12/01/2007

2006 has been 'My Year of Travel' starting the year in Sri Lanka with a film crew from Nikau Films who followed the path of Project Oru 100 from fundraising in New Zealand to being at sea in a New Zealand-donated oru/outrigger and eating freshly caught fish in Welipatanvila. We recovered from long days of filming with 3 days in The Maldives- where the fish seen whilst snorkelling were the best ever.

In May I travelled to the UK to catch up with family and friends and then joined my friend Janet to walk half- well 375km, of the Camino or Pilgrimage of St James. I had thought it may have been a possibility for future Food Matters Tours but after many nights of Pilgrim's fare - i.e. pulpo (squid), cabbage or bean soup and local red wine I know I will need to go back to find the real food of Spain. We did however indulge in a side trip to Sans Sebastion for delicious tapas.

My Sri Lanka tour was postponed on Government advice- too many bombs and curfews - so tested out a tea tour to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. This has real possibilities for future adventures.

The travel was great but the best part about 2006 was the support given to my tsunami projects with Sri Lankan dinner parties - such a great way to eat delicious Sri Lankan food, cooked by a genuine Sri Lankan chef- and a night off cooking. To date New Zealanders have generously sponsored 100 outriggers or oru, and have raised almost half the cost of a 3 tonne ice plant.

28/01/2006

A month into the New Year- already! - and what a year to date - it was wonderful to be able to return to Sri Lanka for 'Tsunami- 1 Year On' and to join the fishermen from the community where our fundraising monies have been directed- Fish Curry for Christmas breakfast is just the best way to start the day.

And at the end of our arduous 16 days of filming we shouted ourselves 3 days in the Maldives- wow- I have never seen fish like them- and this was in snorkelling distance from our bungalow on a white sandy beach - magic!

The fishermen were so happy and described the help to return to the water as being like "having the sun come up and shine over us" Click Project Oru 100 and you can read The Herald web report I filed on Tsunami Day and a letter directed to all those who have supported this project. If you have not been contacted personally (I do not have all address details) please read this letter.

The 2006 tour dates are being revised at the moment and as soon a I have confirmation of these I will update the details- it has been recommended that I delay Sri Lankan departure until a bit later in the year and I am considering Bali times to link with a Book & Writers Festival in Ubud. Best wishes for a fabulous 2006,

Ayu Bowan, Selamat, Kia Ora, Mary

20/12/05

Project Oru 100 is heading for the 100 with 83 oru to date, thanks to the generous support of so many people, including a family who decided against Christmas presents in favour of donating a boat - how wonderful.

I leave here on 22nd December to visit the fishing village and hopefully eat some of the catch- Curried fish for Christmas Breakfast is on the agenda. Many thanks to all those who have supported Project Oru 100 this year - you have helped to improve the lives of many. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and I look forward to updating you in 2006.

Ayu Bowan, Selamat, Kia Ora, Mary