But to the most recent event, 7 days in Samoa to chill out but also to spend some time with JH...
With some raw emotions still on my back, it was a mixed up time but on the whole, doing simple things like watching life on Samoa, its warmth, vitality or just savouring the scenery and peacefulness, it was a fantastic time. And, as per usual around JH it seems, I return to NZ with more bruises than I took over - from falling over or being the real slow coach and wheeze bag when climbing hills (man that track to the Robert Louis Stevenson grave is steep) or trekking. But nonetheless I did get there, albeit with a bruised ego.
Never mind; on reflection, with the odd drama chiming in, it was the best of times...with memories I will always cherish...
Friday
Arrived midday, everything on time except for my pickup who had in less than 12 hours, already switched to Island time (hehe).
Oka - raw fish Lunch @ Paddles **** on the Apia waterfront - Hot and Sunny
Drive along the Main East Coast Road stopping just after Salelesi to take photos of the scenery and boys collecting coconuts and fishing in the lagoon, weather starting to deteriorate, but continued along main road, turning off to drive around the coast as far as Saletele by Fagaloa Bay before turning back because the weather was packing up and we did'nt want to get caught out by flooding on the back road. Pretty wet and almost torrential.
Sorted accommodation at the Outrigger.
Dinner at The Seafood Bar and Grill ** on Apia waterfront - met up with Elton Raharaha and ??? from NZAids Foundation who were in Samoa for Outreach work with the Samoan Fafafine Association.
Then across to the Siva Afi or Fire Dance Competition - tonights competition was for young men and it was a sight to watch; vigorous, fast and looked pretty dangerous.
Off to the Edge, a new series of bars overlooking the marina, to meet up with Ken Moala, Co-Outgames Asia Pacific board member, domiciled in Brisbane and also a member of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN), and Tara (Resitara Apa) local member of PSDN. They were settling in for a big night. It was a good night but it had been a long day including an overnight stay at Auckland Airport for the 7am flight to Samoa. Stopped off at the Government building to see if my friend Fetuao Opetaia was still doing security work. He was'nt, but his dad, Opetaia was there and he said that Fetuao now works at the new Tamasese building and we could catch him there the next day.
That was Friday!
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| My pick of the photos from day 1 |
More photos from day 1
Saturday
Up bright and early, lovely and warm although I'd forgotten about the animals that get up really really early, like the dogs, and then when they're finished, the roosters. Had been quite a bit of rain overnight so everything felt fresh.
An early breakfast at the Outrigger***, then off to the Apia Town Centre where a 5km run was taking place. JH had ideas about going for a run but changed his mind; it never entered mine at all. But there were hundreds of people by the fales behind the Tourism Authority Centre, warming up to Zumba exercises. It was cool to watch. The 5km run and walk started, so we joined in and walked around the harbour a bit. While walking we noticed some Fautasi waka (40 man crew waka) coming into the harbour and crew/spectators watching, so we did too. Whilst standing on the sea wall, Rama Durie (First Secretary (Admin) & Consul: NZ High Commission) stopped to mihi to me and whilst he was there I was introduced to the High Commissioner, Nick Hurley and his partner.
My picks from the photos of Day 2
More photos from Day 2
And more tales to come from Day 2
