Pasifika Festival, Wellington

This weekend, Wellington City Council hosted its second annual Pasifika Festival. The weather was warm and sunny and the turnout of hundreds of Pacific Islanders, Maori and Pakeha was really encouraging. With dances and singing from many of the Pacific Islands, it was a wonderful event. These videos are from a Samoan group - sorry about the over-exposure, but the singing is well worth listening to.

U.S. Presidential Inauguration

The U.S. Presidential inauguration made front-page news in New Zealand.  It made me wonder whether most Americans realize the impact the country and its leadership has on the rest of the world.  By the way, can you name the Prime Minister of New Zealand? (answer: John Key, National Party).

Siva Afi (Samoan Fire Knife Dance)

The Samoan "Siva Afi" (Fire-Knife Dance) has a history which goes back several generations. As the name implies, the dance is performed by wrapping a machete in towels at either end with a portion of the knife exposed. The knife is generally lit on fire on one end and the performer begins by putting fire from the lit end into his mouth (see photo) to light the other end. With the two ends lit, the dancer performs acrobatic feats while twirling the knife around, behind his back and between his legs. Here are a few videos I shot of a performance from my last trip to Samoa.  The slow-motion videos are for you to learn the moves and practice at home:

Samoa

Just after two weeks in Tonga, I spent 4 days in the office and then flew to Samoa for the weekend.  Extravagant?  Yes.  Worth it?  Definitely!  Here are a couple photos of people I came across while cruising around the island of 'Upolu.  Samoans are generally very friendly, proud, welcoming, forgiving, charismatic, and very good-natured.  This is a place where I will return again and again - in my mind, if not in actuality.

Slideshow of Photos from Samoa:

Closing of Catholic Senior School

After 28 years of providing form 6 education to students from all over Samoa, the Catholic Senior School shut its doors.   I lived at the school for 3 years (1997-2000) and taught chemistry, math and physics as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer.  These were, and likely will always be, among the most enjoyable and vivid years of my life.  Samoa opened a whole new world and has provided me with many pleasant memories.  After 10 years, I clearly remember the laughter, the beautiful singing, and the creativity of the students. 

The closing ceremony included a mass and a huge dinner with a live band, three roasted pigs, a roasted cow (!) and lots of Vailima (Samoa's very own beer).   

The photos below are from 1997-1999, when I lived in Moamoa and taught at the school.  Two of the students from the photo above are in the photos below (Matthew and Helen).  Can you spot them?   More photos from 1997-1999 are in my online photo album (click here). 

Tonga

Two weeks in Tonga for Christmas and New Years Eve were absolutely beautiful.  Much of the time was spent around the capital town of Nuku'alofa ("Village of Love")  and the main island, Tongatapu ("Sacred South").  Photos are of a boat we took to a nearby island, a man fishing along the reef's edge, Hufangalupe ("Pigeon's Gate"), the Mapu'a 'a Vaca ("Chief's Whistle") Blowholes, and the Ha'amonga 'a Maui ("Maui's Burden") Trilithon.   

The best part of the trip was the opportunity to stay with Teki's (Tongan) family and enjoy local food.  A few archeological sites are well preserved, including the trilithon in the bottom picture which is made of limestone taken from the Wallis Islands (West of Samoa) and constructed in the early 13th century.  Snorkelling was also fantastic.