Day 71, Level 1: Sam, Anna, Cyclone Yasa, Fiji, sunsets and Poi

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Morning Zoom meeting, followed by a bit of work, combined with a lot of sunshine. The weather is superb. 

I spoke to Sam in London this morning - he'd just got home from the golfing range (night golf). They've gone into Tier 3, still pretty locked down. Brexit isn't helping matters - that's proving to be an ongoing nightmare. He said that Anna was getting out of isolation today and would swing by and pick up some stuff of hers we've had at our house since they left for London - shoes and clothes and bits and bobs. All good. 

Anna is back in the country for three months to visit her family as her work said she could work from here. How cool. Lovely to see her - the last time I saw her was in Barcelona. Brett & I and Sam & Anna had spent time in Mallorca in Sept 2019 with my friends Jill and Peter and then we all had a few days in Barcelona before we returned to NZ and they headed for London via Portugal. It seems like yesterday - but so much has gone on in between. 

Cyclone Yasa is currently hitting Fiji with winds at up to 345kph (what!?)  It's possibly the biggest cyclone the Pacific Islands have ever seen. That's very bad. It's blitzing the northern part of the country right now - the island of Vanua Levu. By morning it is predicted to hit the main island of Viti Levu (Suva & Nadi). This is the last thing Fiji needs, especially given it's been a year without tourists. 

I've been to Fiji a number of times and it is a lovely part of the world. Tropical paradise with a laid back vibe - a combination that encourages relaxation and enjoyment. Time stands still while the sun shines (sometimes with a tropical downpour interlude). The sunsets are amazing - see below, Malolo Island.

We were set to go to an Indian wedding in Fiji (near Nadi) in July this year - no go of course. 

Tropical palms and sunsets on Malolo Island, Fiji, 2008




I headed to Omaha later in the afternoon. What a stunning evening with beautiful skies. I didn't get to the beach as was on computer and sorting stuff. But the skies looked good from the deck.
A sunset to rival Fiji?

8.24pm looking north-east from the deck

9.00pm looking south-east



SHARE-NOTE OF THE DAY:
Maori poi ...

I love the Maori poi. I think I've mentioned this in an earlier post. 

There is the long poi ... my favourite. Below is a video of pure skill. 

I used to do the long poi and be able to join them together with one hand like this woman does, and I could keep them going for quite a while. I never tried what this woman gets up to by starting up a second hand poi! Wow! Maybe I need to give it a go. But first I need to get some poi - or make them! That's what we used to do in primary school!

This is the long poi video ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3BdSE7ycmI

And then there is the short poi - it's more boisterous but also impressive in a different way. Long poi is  elegant and captivating, short is chaotic and urgent. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvPgSorpaAA

Here's another short poi video - older but evocative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7GXAapbacBc

And then there is also this thing called "Poi Spinning" which is out there in the world. Seems to originate in the US, based on the Maori poi. It's endorsed by a few NZ TV shows, including Maori TV, so I can only assume it's not viewed as culturally inappropriate (as so many take-offs of ethic activities and practices are). This practice seems to use poi that have a more robust cord than the traditional Maori poi, they seem rather static, which of course would be much easier than just a rope. And therefore they can do all sorts of non-traditional things with them! 

I have to admit that, as a pakeha (white person) I was taken aback that this very traditional, fabulous and sacred Maori practice has become a global thing but is not widely known in NZ. I'm surprised Maori have been quiet on this to be honest, although it is endorsed by some TV companies. I think there is probably more to come on it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kx12rlhr_5M

And aligned with all this is the wonderful song and "stick game" performed to "E Papa Waiari" - we used to sing this at primary school and Girl Guides. To be able to do the whole thing, start to finish, without dropping a stick, was achievement indeed. We used rolled up newspaper and we got pretty good. I loved it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40bDRzuJs-g


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