Unforgettable! That was how Joji Marau described his visit to Windsor Castle on the invitation of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

Mr Marau is the head of School of Mechanical Engineering at the Fiji National University.  He is also the designer and one of the builders of the authentic traditional iTaukei drua, Adi Eta which featured during the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

“I will never forget this day for the whole of my life when I and five other members of the Fiji delegation was part of the tea party with the Royal Family in the Castle…what an opportunity.”

Mr Marau posted the comment and photos from Windsor Castle on his Facebook account.

He was also thrilled about the Queens acknowledgement after their performance.

“I am glad the Fijian delegation performance in the final and main event last night at the main arena and in Windsor Castle was well acknowledged by Her Majesty the Queen.”

As the members of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Brass Band make their way home, Adi Eta will be on her way to Norwich.

The drua  will be shown in the exhibition “Fiji: Art & Life in the Pacific” at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts from October 15, 2016 to February 12, 2017.

Adi Eta will then move to her new home at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, in its new Voyagers exhibition gallery – which will open in 2018.

The double hull canoe stands at eight metres in length and 2.15 meters in width and is made from damanu tree from the interior of Viti Levu in Nakorosule, Naitasiri.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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