Let’s Go Local: The Sand Dunes And Café Planet For Drau

SUNBIZ

Let’s Go Local: The Sand Dunes And Café Planet For Drau

“This was a historic win as Fiji had never won Gold in Indoor Volleyball in the women’s division at any competition."

by shreya kumar

20 Mar 2021 11:00

Let’s Go Local: The Sand Dunes And Café Planet For Drau

Lavenia Drau and the Cafe Planet in Korotogo, Sigatoka.

More on SUNBIZ

Meet Lavenia Drau.

The Assistant Manager, Human Resources, from The Fiji Marriott Resort, Momi Bay joined the Marriott International Fiji family in 2019.

She is among women heroes celebrating Women in Leadership this month.

When asked to share a moment about herself which made her proud, Ms Drau replied: “Volleyball has literally been a part of my whole life.

“During the initial stages of my volleyball career, I made the national indoor Volleyball Team after just one season of playing at district level.

“At my first tournament as a national representative, I had the opportunity to play against champion teams like New Zealand and New Caledonia (this for me was more than enough).

“To make this moment even more memorable, this same Fiji Team that I was part of won Gold at the Oceania Volleyball Championships (mind you, this competition is bigger than the Pacific Games and is a world ranking one too).

“This was a historic win as Fiji had never won Gold in Indoor Volleyball in the women’s division at any competition.

“While just wanting to have the opportunity to represent my country in the sport I fell in love with.”

She had simultaneously achieved other goals:

Became a national representative before the age of 21 (this was always my daddy’s dream)
Travelled to a different country
Beat the reigning Oceania Champion
Created history by winning Fiji’s first Gold medal in the women’s division for indoor volleyball

What is the one place in Fiji you would take every visitor to, and why?

The Sand Dunes in Sigatoka.

There’s a rich culture in the Dunes, one, all Fijians should be proud of and even more proud that it is part of the world heritage site.

What is your favourite secret backyard spot?

Volleyball has always been a part of my life.

All the places I have lived as a child and adolescent have always had a volleyball court in the compound.

What is your favourite place in Fiji for a pie/coffee?

Café Planet – it’s a boutique family owned coffee shop in Korotogo.

They serve organic coffee.

What is the one spot in Fiji on the top of your bucket list?

The Yasawa Group.

I have read so many rich stories about this group of islands.