Fuel Paddy's Mission to Document Fiji

This is embarrassing. For the last five years I have been traveling to Fiji taking photos and gathering information for a proposed third edition of Fiji's Natural Heritage. The book is mostly written but I still need more photos.

I have bled myself dry doing this. Two of my three retirement funds are now close to zero - the third, my Colorado Public Employees Retirement fund won't be touched - I'll need something if I ever retire. My social security doesn't cover my rent, let alone utilities and food, so I hold down part time jobs that I love: Personal trainer at Anytime Fitness, affiliate faculty at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, and summer school affiliate at the Colorado School of Mines. This allows me to travel during the university vacations to research and take photos. But now I am broke. I want to spend two months in Fiji pursuing the photos I think I need. Tourism Fiji is probably going to help me, but I can't expect them, or anyone else, to support me for two months. My rent and utilities back in Denver during this period will be over $3k at a time when I won't be earning. So, I'm asking you if you can help.

The photos that I have shared every day on Facebook for the last ten years are tribute to the joy I find in the natural world and I hope some of that joy and enthusiasm has passed on to you when you view them. Your contribution, however small, will make a difference to me.

I can't guarantee the third edition of Fiji's Natural Heritage will ever see the light of day. I'm still trying to arrange corporate or diplomatic sponsorship for it. It will be translated into Fijian.

But if it doesn't happen, your contribution won't be wasted. I have pledged to give copies of all of my Fiji photos to NatureFiji/MareqetiViti, Fiji's local nature NGO, regardless of whether the book finally sees the light of day.

My hero, Sir David Attenborough had this to say about the book.

A superb - and most importantly - a comprehensive survey of all aspects of the rich natural world of Fiji. This is the sort of guide that anyone with curiosity about the land, the plants, and the animals around them is constantly seeking, and so rarely find. It's a book that will, I am sure, be constantly consulted and treasured.

I would add what should be evident. I won't make any money on the book. It's my thank you to the wonderful country that has given me so much at various stages of my life. Fiji has burned itself deeply into my psyche, and I want to share its incredible natural history with Fijians and the rest of the world.

I have already had amazing support and I thank all those wonderful people who provided me with diving, food, accommodation, or a vehicle. You know who you are. Vinaka vakalevu.

Thank you if you read this far.

Paddy