Former flight attendant falls back on Plan B
Jeff Tamata’s life has taken a positive turn since being terminated from Fiji Airways. While he’d still greet you with that Bula smile, nowadays he’s no longer dressed to the nines but in casual clothing, a cane knife in hand or a fishing rod.
The father of five is currently at his village of Nabouwalu, Ono, Kadavu, exploring the wealth of opportunities of the great outdoors.
He returned to the village with clothes and food ration to assist his relatives who were affected after Tropical Cyclone Harold.
However, this became more of a prolonged, if not permanent resort, as the 43-year-old falls back on Plan B, a project he’s been working for a few years. Mr Tamata has more than 17 years of flying.
“Back when I was still working I would only pay the boys in the village to clean my farm, and then come once in a month,” he said.
“Yaqona was the only thing I have planted. I’m looking into rootcrops and vegatables for daily consumption to hold us during this trying time as well.”
And he’s enjoying every bit of it, he said.
“I have even explored fishing back here in the village. And having to do all these again after a long time is indeed a challenge and fun because I have my wife beside me battling this together with me,” he said.
Though he misses flying, he said he will always be grateful of the opportunity and network he’s forged.
“My Fiji Airways family is what I’ll miss because of them, my flying years will be a memory well cherished,” he said.
His running shoes business and involvement with Nadi Rugby Union as treasurer is at a halt.
“My advice: always have a plan B in times of rainy days like this,” he said.