History of Brunei
Early Bruneian history is cloaked in mystery, although it is believed trade links existed with China in the 6th century AD. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Brunei was a considerable regional power, controlling not only most of Borneo but parts of the Philippines as well, mainly due to its success as a port. Brunei’s power waned following the arrival of the European powers to the region. The Spanish and the Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive, but it was the British, who arrived in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries, who began to erode Brunei’s influence. In 1888, the sultanate itself became a British protectorate. Brunei’s territory was gradually whittled away until, with one last flourish of absurdity, Limbang was ceded to Sarawak in 1890, thus dividing the country in half. In 1929, just as Brunei was about to be swallowed up entirely, oil was discovered. British plans to make Brunei a part of the Malaysian Federation were quashed by a revolt in 1962. The Sultan then suspended the constitution and opted for independence. The two countries signed a treaty in 1971 confirming that Britain would retain control of Brunei’s external affairs; in 1984, Brunei became completely independent. In 1991, the sale of alcohol was banned and stricter dress codes have been introduced. At the least sign of internal dissent, the Sultan moved quietly but decisively to silence his critics, and thus far his power has gone more or less unchallenged.
The Sultan of Brunei
Hassanal Bolkiah is the eldest son of Sultan Sir Haji Omar Ali Saifuddin. He was educated privately and later attended the Victoria Institution in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, England. In 1961 Sir Omar named him crown prince, and when Sir Omar abdicated six years later, Hassanal Bolkiah became Sultan on October 5, 1967 (his coronation taking place on August 1, 1968). For the next decade, however, his father remained the power behind the throne. After the death of his mother in 1979, his father withdrew from public affairs, and the Sultan quickly took the dominant role in the administration of Brunei. He made frequent trips throughout the country to listen to his subjects as well as to promote himself as ruler. In anticipation of independence from Britain, he began to create a native bureaucracy, replacing British expatriates in the civil service with Bruneians, and he cracked down on corruption. After having held Brunei as a protectorate for 95 years, the British formally withdrew on January 1, 1984. Although there were minor disagreements over matters such as the management of Brunei’s huge investment portfolio, relations between the two countries continued to be friendly. Sir Omar died in 1986, and on October 5, 1992 the Sultan celebrated the 25th year of his reign. In the 1980s and 1990s the Sultan regularly appeared at, or near the top of, lists of the world’s richest individuals, his fortune deriving from Brunei’s oil and gas.
Labels: 2008, Feb 21
Australia’s Early History
Australia's original inhabitants, known as Australian Aborigines, have the longest continuous cultural history in the world, with origins dating back to the last Ice Age. Although mystery and debate shroud many aspects of Australian prehistory, it is generally accepted that the first humans traveled across the sea from Indonesia about 70,000 years ago. The first visitors, called ‘Robust’ by archaeologists because of their heavy-boned physique, were followed 20,000 years later by the more slender ‘Gracile’ people, the ancestors of Australian Aborigines. Europeans began to encroach on Australia in the 16th century; Dutch explorers followed Portuguese navigators and the enterprising English pirate William Dampier. Captain James Cook sailed the entire length of the eastern coast in 1770, stopping at Botany Bay on the way. After rounding Cape York, he claimed the continent for the British and named it New South Wales. In 1779, Joseph Banks (a naturalist on Cook’s voyage) suggested that Britain could solve overcrowding problems in its prisons by transporting convicts to New South Wales. In 1787, the First Fleet set sail for Botany Bay under the command of Captain Arthur Philip, who was to become the colony’s first governor. The fleet comprised 11 ships, 750 male and female convicts, four companies of marines and supplies for two years. Philip arrived in Botany Bay on January 26, 1788, but soon moved north to Sydney Cove, where there was better land and water.
Australia’s famous instrument
The didgeridoo, a wind instrument of the Indigenous Australians of northern Australia is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet. They are usually cylindrical or conical in shape and come in all lengths. The longer the instrument, the lower the pitch. It is commonly claimed to be the world's oldest wind instrument and rock art in Northern Australia suggests that the Aboriginal people have been using the didgeridoo for about 1500 years. Authentic didgeridoos are usually made from hardwoods, especially the eucalyptus tree. The difficult part is finding a tree that has been suitably hollowed out by termites. Once a suitable tree is found and cut down, a section of the trunk or a branch is utilized to make the didgeridoo. The bark is taken off, the ends trimmed and some shaping of the exterior may happen. The instrument may be painted or left undecorated and a rim of beeswax may be applied to the mouthpiece end. Authentic didgeridoos are prized by musicians and collectors all over the world.
Labels: 2008, Feb 14
Aboriginals and Religion
The religion of the Aboriginal people is complex; combining spiritual ties with the land, rituals, totemism, mythology and magic. “Dreamtime” is the basis for all traditional thought and practice. This is the dawn of all creation, existing separate from time and space and linking the past, present and future. Elaborate rituals, which were established in dreamtime, are necessary for the world to continue. The tribal elders hold the responsibility and it is taken very seriously. Ritual is especially important upon death. It is believed that a person's spirit does not die with physical death and that ceremonies are essential to ensure that the spirit becomes embodied in another form such as rocks, trees, animals or another human. Mythology is also important, as animals are often given human and super human qualities in these "dreamtime stories". Lacking a written language, the Aborigines have passed on these stories for thousands of years orally, in traditional Corroboree ceremonies and with rock painting. Totemism, common to other religions is more elaborate in the Aboriginal culture than in any other. Tribes form a special bond with a totem, usually a plant or animal which takes on the role of protector, relative and companion, and acts as the symbol of group identity. Magic also plays a role in this religion. Religious leaders commonly cast spells and curses on adversaries that can only be broken by the spell of a more powerful elder. The belief that the world order was established at creation has given them no concept of progress and change, establishing a lifestyle that has remained unchanged for generations.
Australia’s “dot” art
The popular “dot paintings" of the Aboriginals were originally used in addition to the oral history of their dreamings, or creation legends, and made for cultural purposes, and not the art market. The dots are, in effect, a form of camouflage. Some artists were criticized for having revealed too much of their sacred heritage. As a result, detailed depictions of human figures and ceremonial paraphernalia were removed or modified. These designs and their 'inside' meanings, originally rendered in sand, were not to be written down and 'traded'. Dotting and over-dotting became a means of concealing dangerous, secret designs. Artists are only allowed to paint their tribe’s stories, and only with permission from the tribal elder. The viewing perspective is generally as though looking down from above. However, some artists are permitted to paint the “7 Sisters” dreaming or the “Milky Way” dreaming, an upward view. Since the 1970s this art form has continued to grow in popularity and most major museums in the world contain examples of this fascinating art form
Labels: 2008, Feb 12
Welcome to Melbourne, Australia
The second largest city in Australia and the capital of Victoria, Melbourne sometimes has trouble escaping Sydney's shadow. But life can be good in the shade; Melbourne reigns over Australia culturally and has been dubbed one of the planet's most livable city. Distinctive neighborhoods, leafy streets and the clean, efficient transport system means that Melbourne rarely feels like a city of 3.5 million people. The exotic fauna of Melbourne Zoo, the grizzly images of Old Melbourne Gaol, and the relaxing atmosphere of well-preserved Victorian residential neighborhoods draw thousands of weekend sightseers and world travelers, while the city's multiple Mediterranean and Asian communities enrich the city's cuisine. The 19th century architecture has been utilized, rather than mothballed in historical museums. Consequently, central Melbourne displays ornamental Victorian structures standing proudly beside steel and Melbourne's history is best charted through its iconic rivalry with Sydney. Settled by Sydney ex-patriots, Melbourne quickly established itself in the first year of Queen Victoria's reign and embarked on an era of growth and development that powerfully shaped the city's character. The mid-19th-century Victoria gold rush provided the wealth that built so many distinctive structures and established an extensive network of wealth and beautiful public green spaces.
Say it in australian slang
Billabong Ox-bow lake
Blowie Blowfly (Australia’s native bird)
Bodgy Inferior quality
Boofhead Nerd
Cockie Farmer
Dag Fashion victim
Fair dinkum True
Furphy Rumor
Middy 10-fluid-ounce glass of beer
Mug Gullible person
Smoko Coffee break
Tucker Food
Ute Pickup truck
Winger Whiner
Yobbo, Yob Uncouth male
Walkabout To excuse oneself,
usually without explanation
Labels: 2008, Feb 12
Welcome to Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia with a metropolitan area population of over 4.2 million people. It is the state capital of New South Wales and is located on the country’s southeast coast. The first European colony in Australia, Sydney was established in 1788 at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip who led the First Fleet from Britain. Built around Port Jackson, which includes Sydney Harbour, the city of Sydney has been nicknamed the “Harbour City.” Sydney is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the east, the Blue Mountains to the west, the Hawkesbury River to the north and the Woronora Plateau to the south. It lies on a submerged coastline, where the ocean level has risen to flood deep river valleys carved in the sandstone. One of these valleys, Port Jackson, better known as Sydney Harbour, is the largest natural harbor in the world. The Sydney region has been populated by indigenous Australians for at least 30,000 years. At the time of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, 4000 - 8000 Aboriginal people lived in the region, with three language groups refined into dialects spoken by smaller clans. Urbanization has destroyed most evidence of these early settlements, however, Sydney and its environs are well known for numerous rock drawings and carvings in the sandstone. Several gold rushes, starting in 1851, brought waves of people arriving from around the world and the rapid suburban development that began in the last quarter of the 19th century continues today, giving Sydney its cosmopolitan flair.
Sydney Highlights
Bondi Beach is the grand dame of Sydney's beaches. The foreshore is an eclectic mix of ice-cream parlors, designer cafés, and surf fashion stores. Circular Quay is the focal point of the city and is built around Sydney Cove, combining ferry quays, a railway station and harbor walkways, restaurants, buskers and parks. Darling Harbour, once a thriving industrial port, is a leisure park including the Sydney Aquarium and Powerhouse Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, and Segaworld amusement park.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge carries rail, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic between the Sydney central business district and the North Shore. In combination with the Sydney Opera House, the vista of these two landmarks has long been the iconic image of Sydney known all over the world. The bridge was the city's tallest structure until 1967. According to Guinness World Records, it is the widest long-span bridge in the world, the highest steel arch bridge with the top of the bridge standing 429.6 feet (134 meters) above the harbor, and the fourth-longest spanning-arch bridge in the world. In 1815, it was proposed that a bridge be built across the harbor but nothing came of this. In 1890, a royal commission determined that there was a heavy level of ferry traffic in the Sydney Harbour area, best relieved with the construction of a bridge. Pre-construction began in 1923 with the demolition of 800 homes and construction of the bridge itself began in December of 1928. Construction of the arch of the bridge began in 1929, and once the arch halves were completed the cables used to hold them up were slowly released to bring the two halves of the arch together. On August19, 1930 they were joined and have remained joined since then. The road and the two sets of tram and railway tracks were completed in 1931, along with power and telephone lines, and water, gas and drainage pipes. On January 19, 1932 the first test train safely crossed the bridge.
Labels: 2008, Feb 9
Welcome to Milford Sound, New Zealand
Milford Sound is located in the south west of New Zealand's South Island within Fiordland National Park which is in turn part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site. Milford Sound is named after Milford Haven in Wales, and is known as Piopiotahi in Māori, meaning “first native thrush.” The flora and fauna of the area is some of the best in world as the sound runs 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) inland from the Tasman Sea and is surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise almost 4000 feet (1220 meters) or more on either side with lush rain forests clinging to these cliffs. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of seals, penguins, and dolphins that frequent the waters. With a mean annual rainfall of 6813 mm on 182 days a year, Milford Sound is known as the wettest place in New Zealand. Rainfall can reach 250 mm during a span of 24 hours and can create temporary and permanent waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching over 3000 feet (9842 meters) in length. The beauty of this landscape draws thousands of visitors each day, with over 550,000 in total per year. This makes the Sound one of New Zealand’s most visited tourist spots, and also the most famous New Zealand tourist destination, even with its remote location and the long journey from the nearest population centers.
approximate scenic cruising times *
Enter Dusky Sound 8:00 am
Exit Dusky Sound 10:00 am
Enter Doubtful Sound 11:00 am
Exit Doubtful Sound 12:30 pm
Enter Milford Sound 3:00 pm
Exit Milford Sound 6:00 pm
* all scenic cruising times are approximate
Helicopter Hunting
As long ago as the 1920s, the park was plagued with introduced European deer, detrimental to the native New Zealand flora and fauna. The government placed a bounty on the deer, paying local hunters for each animal removed from the park. Combined with the market for venison and deerskin, by the 1960s this had proved a lucrative enough business for several hunters to invest in helicopters, the better to travel through this rugged landscape. The deer population plummeted as a result, and competition among hunters grew fierce. Arguments between men in helicopters with high-powered rifles resulted in more than one pitched battle mid-air over the park. The government soon stepped in to prevent such extremes; combined with a growing farm-raised deer industry, helicopter hunting has declined steeply in more recent years. However, its legacy lives on, as dozens of former hunting helicopters these days carry tourists on sight-seeing aerial journeys.
Labels: 2008, Feb 5
Welcome to Dunedin, New Zealand
Modern archaeology suggests the first human occupation of southern New Zealand around 1100 ACE. There are numerous moa-hunter sites in what is now Dunedin, several of them large and permanently occupied, particularly in the 14th century. There was a settlement in what is now central Dunedin occupied as late as about 1785 but abandoned by 1826. Captain James Cook stood off what is now the coast of Dunedin between February 25 and March 5, 1770. He reported penguins and seals in the vicinity, which led sealers to visit from the beginning of the 19th century. The early years of sealing saw a feud between sealers and local Maori. Permanent European occupation dates from 1831 bringing epidemics that reduced the Maori population. By the late 1830s the harbor was an international whaling port. The Lay Association of the Free Church of Scotland founded Dunedin at the head of Otago Harbour in 1848 as the principal town of its Scottish settlement. The name comes from Dùn Èideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh, the Scottish capital. Charles Kettle the city's surveyor, instructed to emulate the characteristics of Edinburgh, produced a striking, ‘romantic’ design. The result was both grand and quirky streets as the builders struggled and sometimes failed to construct his bold vision across the challenging landscape.
Labels: 2008, Feb 4
February 2, 2008
Leaving Wellington, NZ (Personal)
I feel remiss. I have not been writing much lately. Those of you who can access your blog know that we have been dealing with a burst water heater. That is resolving; thank goodness we aren’t in a huge rush.
Our last 2 stops have been in New Zealand and I actually feel totally at home here. It is uncanny. We were in Auckland several days ago and as our “outing” we went to visit the air evacuation team that services the entire South Seas. They are so overwhelmed with work that the requested that Carter and Cindy (the head nurse) go out to the airport to see them, rather than they visiting the ship. I got to go along since the cost of the cab would be the same with 2 or 3 passengers. Auckland has grown tremendously since we were last here and our cab ride ended up costing $150 round trip. We were able to see so many different neighborhoods, as there was no superhighway to the airport. It was mainly little winding streets, very reminiscent of driving thru Vancouver, BC. The gardens weren’t quite as nice, but the greenery and houses were similar.
We were impressed by scope of their operation and Carter and Cindy gathered much information which will be helpful for future cruises and possible evacuations. They are expensive, but there is truly no other alternative out here. Carter had someone he needed to get off in Samoa, but there was no plane to take her for a week, so this would have been an alternative. Her illness wasn’t life threatening, but it certainly was life changing if she had not reached a specialist within a day or so. Luckily, she did ok, but it was rather nerve wracking.
Today we were in Wellington, NZ and were met at the ship by some Seattle friends who have decided to move permanently to New Zealand. They joined us for a Sunday Breakfast on the ship and then took us over the mountain to see their new home in Masterton. We even got to stop at the place where they filmed Lord of the Rings. Of course, it was beautiful – but the wrong season, as it is summer here and the vegetation was starting to get dry and brown.
The people here are so friendly and accommodating. We never experienced anyone in a rush or unwilling to be helpful. The smaller towns are quaint and look almost like McMinnville, with the old-time façades on the street fronts. Very charming. I certainly could see being happy here…..Our friends have 6 chickens and 3 sheep. We got to meet them all. The sheep are huge with wool (although she said they were too fat, as well). They are due for their shearing next week. The houses aren’t insulated, so heating costs are prohibitive. Their home was amazingly cool, despite very intense sun…..The roads are a little scary in that they have no shoulders and are mainly 2 lanes, but the local bakery, green grocer, etc. are fun to experience.
Christchurch next.
Labels: 2008, Feb 4
Welcome to Christchurch, New Zealand
Maori oral history relates that humans occupied the Christchurch area around 1000 ACE. Archeological evidence found in a cave in 1876 has indicated that the area was first settled by moa-hunting tribes about 1250. A party of European settlers established themselves in what is now the Christchurch area, early in 1840. The “First Four Ships” were chartered by the Canterbury Association and arrived on December 16, 1850, bringing the first 792 of the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton Harbour. The Canterbury Pilgrims had aspirations of building a city around a cathedral and college, on the model of Christ Church in Oxford. The name “Christ Church” was decided prior to the ships’ arrival, at the Association’s first meeting, on March 27, 1848. New Zealand’s first public railway line, the Ferrymead railway, opened from Ferrymead to Christchurch in 1863. Due to the difficulties in traveling over the Port Hills and the dangers associated with shipping, a railway tunnel was bored through the Port Hills to Lyttelton, opening in 1867. Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter on July 31, 1856. Many of the city’s Gothic buildings by architect Benjamin Mountfort date from around this period. from the navigator
We expect to be docked in Christchurch at 7:00 am. At 7:00 pm, we will set sail for Dunedin. The distance to be covered is 186 nautical miles, which requires an average speed of 19.5 knots.
Labels: 2008, Feb 3
Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand
In 1865, Wellington became the capital of New Zealand, replacing Auckland, where William Hobson had established his capital in 1841. Parliament first sat in Wellington on 7 July 1862, but the city did not become the official capital for some time. In November 1863 the Premier Alfred Domett moved a resolution before Parliament (in Auckland) that “... it has become necessary that the seat of government ... should be transferred to some suitable locality in Cook Strait.” Apparently there was concern that the southern regions, where the gold fields were located, would form a separate colony. Commissioners from Australia (chosen for their neutral status) pronounced the opinion that Wellington was suitable because of its harbor and central location. Parliament officially sat in Wellington for the first time on 26 July 1865. Wellington is the southernmost national capital city in the world, with latitude of about 41°S. It is more densely populated than most other settlements in New Zealand, due to the small amount of building space available between the harbor and the surrounding hills. Wellington has very few suitable areas in which to expand and this has resulted in the development of the surrounding cities in the greater urban area. Because of its location in the roaring forties latitudes and its exposure to omnipresent winds coming through Cook Strait, the city is known to Kiwis as “Windy Wellington.”
What’s in a Name
Wellington was named in honour of Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victor of the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke's title comes from the town of Wellington in the English county of Somerset. In Māori, Wellington goes by three names: Te Whanganui-a-Tara refers to Wellington Harbour and means “The great harbour of Tara”; Pōneke is a transliteration of Port Nick, short for Port Nicholson; and Te Upoko-o-te-Ika-a-Māui, meaning “The Head of the Fish of Māui,” which is a more traditional name, derived from the legend in which the North Island was fished up by the demigod Māui Tikitiki-a-Taranga.
Labels: 2008, Feb 2
Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand
To New Zealanders, Auckland is known as Queen City or City of Sails. It is rich in local history and home to a people known for their love of the outdoors. The city of Auckland is the largest and most modern in New Zealand. Located on the North Island, it is home to over one quarter of the country’s people. Its location on the isthmus of the North Island, between Waitemata Harbour to the northeast and Manukau Harbour to the southwest, makes it the perfect habitat for anyone with a love for water. Within an hour drive from the city, you will find 102 beaches for swimming, surfing, waterskiing or sail boarding. There are over 70,000 powerboats and sailing craft, or one per every four households. There is much to see and do in Auckland: the Civic Theater, an art nouveau theater that opened in 1929 and was used for cabaret shows for servicemen in transit to battlefields in the Pacific; the War Memorial Museum and the Museum of Transport and Technology; Albert Park, 15 acres of formal gardens, fountains and statues; the Auckland Domaine, a 340-acre park that is a favorite leisure space for Aucklanders. Shoppers will not be disappointed. Be sure to check out Lower Queen Street for the best range of shopping from fashion to souvenirs, bookstores and local art.
Maori Heritage
Maori oral history maintains that the Maoris came to the islands of New Zealand in waka (canoes) from other parts of Polynesia. Of all the waka that visited the region, the ones carrying the Tainui, whose descendants were known as Ngaoho, have had the most lasting impact. These waka called in at many places before being hauled across the isthmus where Auckland is now situated to Manukau Harbour. Archaeological evidence of human settlement dates back some 800 years, with the earliest sites mainly located along coastlines and harbor mouths. The picture that emerges is one of a distinctly Polynesian society that depended on fishing, the gathering of shellfish and edible plants, and (increasingly as the centuries passed) agriculture. Until the 17th century, when tribes from the north and south challenged the isthmus dwellers, things were relatively peaceful. However, by the time European settlers arrived in 1839, tribal warfare, disease and destruction of the area through hunting and forest clearance had depleted the Maori populations.
Labels: 2008, Feb 1
Personal (E-mail we didn't want to receive from Dr Ed Borbon our House-sitter)
Dear Carter and Winnie,
I'm so glad I walked in the big house just at the right time, and that
the emergency must have happened not long before I went in. Around past
7pm when I decided to check the big house, I heard a hissing sound
coming from the fridge area in front of Grandma's room and when looked
for it's source, I saw water creeping out of the door beside it. When I
opened the door, hot water was spurting at the neck of the drain faucet
of the right side tank and the floor was already flooded. Fortunately
the water hasn't reached grandma's carpeted room yet. I looked for the
main valve but couldn't find it in the pipe maze and there were several
valves there as well. When I saw the water spraying at the electricals
on the left side of the wall, I quit looking for fear of getting
electricuted without anyone else knowing. I called the number of the
water service that Winnie posted at the kitchen cork board but only
answering machine was on the other end of the line so I called Heather
thinking she might know a number to call for emergency plumbing. Heather
told me that the valve to the tank is usually on the top. I reached it
to turn both of the valves on the top and the pressure of the jetting
went down. I then unplugged the electrical cords attached to the wall
when the water spraying was down. I had the chance then to get close and
read the emergency shutdown instructions posted on the tank. I followed
the instructions - turned off the gas, I looked for a circuit breaker
but didn't find one. The heating tank is purely gas powered, right? The
next step was to drain the tank and when I tried to turn the tank drain
faucet knob open at the bottom of the tank, where the leak was jetting
out in the first place, the whole faucet just came off the tank. The end
of the faucet the broke of from the tank was corroded, probably the
reason for the leak. Then I drained the tank by opening the hot water
faucets at the sinks in the kitchen and grandma's bathroom to let air in
the tank. After about an hour and 45 minutes, the tank is still draining
hence I'm still here watching the tank drain as I empty the catch basin
one after the other. The process is so slowed so I had the time to write
this email on my blackberry in between bucket emptying. The electrical
meter box on the left side of the wall is dry and running so I left it
alone but the black electrical box below is wet. The power cord attached
to that box is already unplugged. Other than the leak, I don't think
there are any other property damage. When the tank finish draining, all
I need to do is just mop the floor. There's a number to call on the
emergency instructions for fast service but I thought it can probably
wait until tomorrow morning. I wanted to check with you first if I
should call Dan or the number on the tank. There's a number specific for
Mercer Island printed there. I think the main problem is just the
replacement of the drain faucet but the tank heating system might need
some checking also. Nate is not home yet. If the problem is not fixed by
tomorrow, I'll call him to let him know that there's no hot water in the
big house at the moment. I'm sorry to tell the bad news. I hope that's
the last. I'm also so thankful that this did not happen in the middle
of the night and bacame a shocker for me in the morning!
Best Regards, Ed
Sent via BlackBerry Mobile by AT&T
Labels: 2008, January 30
January 29, 2008 (Personal)
We have visiting Samoa and Tonga since I last wrote. The first word I would use to describe both would be humid. Carter’s camera lens fogs up every time he takes it outside, as do our glasses. Samoa is a volcanic island, so very hilly, and Tonga is flat as a pancake. Both are lush with vegetation and populated by very friendly people.
When we were on Samoa, the ship brought in a local youth group to do a performance. They had mainly teen-agers, but they also had some really young children who were learning the dances and songs. These young ones were adorable. You could see that the entire experience was very supportive for the 5-8 year olds. Sometimes they went the wrong way, but that was ok. Part of the show was the cava ceremony, which is something they do for honored guests. They take the powder of a cava root (from the pepper family), grind it up, then reconstitute it in water and serve it as a drink. The drink is on the alcoholic/hallucinogenic side. Carter and I had this ceremony performed for us when we were in Fiji, so it brought back tons of memories. You are handed a coconut cup of this liquid and are expected to down the whole thing at once. It tastes like drinking mud, so I sipped only a little, but was then told I had to drink the entire cupful. I had to will my gag reflex away, but managed. In the true ceremony, they keep filling the cups and passing them around until the entire bowl of liquid is gone. Luckily, we were with Peace Corps workers and they told me how to politely refuse. Carter, however, just kept drinking and before the end of the evening, he was giving lectures on his camera. It was an experience!
In Tonga, we did not take a tour because we had limited time. Some of the passengers were very frustrated because their tours were less than acceptable. One group, on a Holland America sponsored tour had their non-air conditioned bus get stuck in the mud, then stuck in traffic, because whoever was organizing the tours told all of the buses to go on the same route at the same time. The 3 hour tour ended up 6 hours. This was a problem for those with diabetes and those unable to deal with the heat. I was glad I wasn’t on that tour.
Then we spoke with another couple who decided to go on a non-Holland America sponsored tour. They said their tour guide spoke excellent English, put about 8 of them in a mini-bus and drove for a short while giving a great commentary. Then he pulled over on the side of the road next to another car. The bus driver and the car driver then exchanged places and the new driver drove them for the rest of the tour. Unfortunately, the new driver spoke NO English. Once they got back close to town, the original driver came back on to finished the tour. Some of the passengers were irate, but the young couple we were speaking with said that it was ok. They didn’t pay that much for the tour to begin with and did get some commentary as they went along.
We exchanged a little money in Tonga and had a snack at a local restaurant. Carter drank something like a smoothie made with Tongan ice!!!! I had a Coke that they served warm with a chilled glass. That was interesting. I did NOT use ice.
Labels: 2008, January 30
Welcome to Nuku’Alofa, Tonga
Much like the other Polynesian islands in the South Pacific, Tonga is easily distinguishable by its beautiful beaches, clear azure water, coral reefs and luscious landscape. The Kingdom of Tonga, although protected by Western powers, has never been ruled by them. This is evident on the island as traditional Polynesian culture is still the way of life, even with the dawn of the modern era. Although Tonga is the poorest of all the Polynesian islands, its rich culture, history and beauty are sure to make up for its economic shortcomings. Tongatapu, the largest of the 170 islands that make up Tonga (although only 36 are inhabited), holds the capital city of Nuku’Alofa. Although the islands are spread across the South Pacific, the amount of dry land of all the Tongan islands is equivalent to less than the size of New York City. It is said that Tonga received its name because it lies south of Samoa (the first permanently settled Polynesian island), thus the word “tonga” means “south” in a variety of Polynesian languages. In Tongan, however, “tonga” means “garden” and “Tongatapu” means “Sacred Garden.” While enjoying the beauty of the island, be sure to notice how it seems that the entire island is being cultivated with crops.
History of Tonga
Polynesians are said to have created a settlement in Tonga around 500 BCE, but according to legend, it was not until around 950 ACE that the Tui Tonga dynasty originated. The first European contact was in 1642 by a Dutchman and in 1777, Captain James Cook reaches Tonga. Although the first missionaries arrived in 1798, it took 33 years before a powerful chief named Taufa’ahau was converted to Christianity. After conquering all of Tonga, Taufa’ahau declared himself the King George (his Christian name). He ruled Tonga for 48 years, followed by his great-grandson King George II, who ruled for 25 years and was succeeded by his daughter, Queen Salote, who ruled for 47 years. Salote was quite successful is warding off Western influence and maintaining Tongan traditions. Her son, King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV is now the current ruler.
Say it in Tongan
Hello Malo e lelei
Welcome Tatitali fiefia
How do you do? Fefe hake?
Good-bye ‘Alu a
Thank you Malo
How much? ‘Oku Fiha?
Good Lelei
Bad Kovi
Labels: 2008, january 28
Welcome to Apia, Samoa
Apia, on the island of Upolu, is the capital of Samoa and the only place in Samoa that you could call a city and really mean it. For all of its modern details, such as banks and burger outlets, it still retains the picturesque charm of its history. All the traders, beachcombers, pirates, whalers, and fallen missionaries who have washed up on the shores of Apia still seem to be present in Apia's slightly rundown air and the old pula trees shading the streets. From the center of town, Apia's neat villages spread west along the level coastal area and climb up the gentle slopes towards the hills and into the valleys. The clock tower in the center of town is a memorial to WWI casualties. Just to the west of the clock tower is the Flea Market, which has craft stalls selling everything from cheap clothing and siapo (dyed bark sheets) to 'ava bowls and coconut-shell jewelry. Several churches are scattered around Apia with the largest of them being the Catholic church on the city waterfront. The Anglican church, although smaller, has the most beautiful stained-glass windows, while at the Congregational Christian church are the clean-picked bones of the unfortunate Reverend John Williams, a missionary cannibalized by the natives. Writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last four years of his life here, and is buried on Mt. Vaea, overlooking both the city and the home he built, Vailima, now a museum in his honor.
Origins of Samoa
The origin of Samoa, according to the stories told by the chiefs, is that Samoan people are actually from an unknown land call “Savaiki,” which most people believe is in Savaii. According to the ancient Samoan belief, everyone in the Polynesian area is from Savaiki. This is in accord with folk stories from other cultures in the Polynesian area: The Tongans believed that they are from Hauaiki, Maori people believe that they are from Hawaiki, Hawaiians believed that they are from Hawaii. It was originally believed that all Polynesians migrated from Hawaii, but DNA analysis indicates that these cultures are closely related to Samoans. It is thought that migration patterns from Samoa led the Polynesian people northward to Hawaii, southward to Maori, eastward to Fiji and westward to Tonga.
Labels: 2008, January 26
January 25, 2008 (Personal)
It is understood that 2 medical staff have to be on board at one time, so Carter is always alternating with the other staff to work with time for us to get off. On any given port, one person usually is working with the tour as a guide, so the others divide up the time to get off. We were the late shift to get off in Bora Bora, but that was fine. Again, a volcanic island with one road that circumnavigates the island. The road was narrow, no shoulder, but surrounded by gorgeous fruit and flowering trees. There were a few shops, mainly black pearl shops, so we strolled and checked out a few. Several of the shops had sand floors, which certainly eliminated the worry of getting the floor dirty. Anything tracked in just was incorporated.
Then back to the sea for 2 more days, with multiple time changes and social obligations. We have been invited to the nice restaurant on board to have dinner with another passenger and his wife. She was trying to get the 27th, Sunday for our dinner reservation. The man in the restaurant kept telling her, “We don’t have the 27th.” She asked, “What do you mean? Is it booked up?” “No, madam, we don’t have the 27th.” Finally, she figured out that we are going over the international date line that day, so we totally miss the 27th and skip to the 28th. Interesting to consider. We will make that day up hour by hour as we go around the world.
Last night was formal night and we were again assigned to a different table. I memorized the names of the passengers, in hopes of not making a fool of myself, only to find out that when we arrived, we were placed at a different table. The Hotel Manager was sick and in bed, so Carter had to take his place at his assigned table. It was a very interesting group of people, but who knows their names?
The blueberry muffin smell in our hallway has been constantly changing. It went to fresh baked bread, then a rather nasty rotten fish smell and now is blueberry-esque.
There is a service club group that meets once a week, so I am able to make up my Rotary meetings right here. The people in the group are from every service club I’ve ever heard of, and some, and they are a most welcoming group. Almost all of the service clubs are struggling with the same issues, so it is interesting to hear how they are dealing with membership issues and meeting time issues, etc.
Samoa next.
Winnie
Labels: 2008, January 25
January 23, 2008(Personal)
We finally got off in Tahiti, and as usual, it was very hot and humid. We went to the major market – and of course, visited Carter’s favorite part – the fish market. The smell was overwhelming! Carter may not shop for “things”, but he shops for good photos. Either one is rather trying for me. While he was focusing on a basket, we saw something run under a table. We both looked at each other and asked, “Was that a mouse or a rat?” It was small like a mouse, but had that huge tail of a rat. I am just thankful that it didn’t run over my foot.
My overwhelming impression of Papeete was that it is a large city, French in its language and construction, very expensive (one shirt was $85!), and many of the young people smoke. It was quite distracting. The gorgeous beaches are not near the city.
Yesterday we were on one of the islands just 9 miles from Tahiti. It is called Moorea and was a favorite hangout for Robert Louis Stevenson, Melville, etc. It was beautiful, but I can’t figure out why these writers liked writing in the heat and humidity. I would think their hands and arms would stick to the paper. It is a very rocky island, volcanic and covered with vegetation. The only habitable and flat spot was on the one road that circles the island along the outer edge. The rest of the island seemed to be straight up the mountain.
There were several young people doing something like wind surfing, out along the reef. They tied a huge kite to their bodies and then rode the waves on a surf board. We watched them for ages. Carter was laughing as they would speed along on the waves, and sometimes even be lifted into the air when a big gust came along. He would have loved it.
Today we are in Bora Bora and for those who saw the original South Pacific movie, this was the setting. That huge rocky mountain that was always used in the movie is right in front of our ship.
Labels: 2008, Jan 23
Welcome to Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island was settled by Tongan people about the 4th century. While the island was sighted by earlier explorers, James Cook led the first group of Europeans to visit the island in 1777. In 1842, Bora Bora was officially made a protectorate of France. The original name in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as Pora Pora, meaning “First Born.” The island, located about 162 miles (260 kilometers) northwest of Papeete, Tahiti is surrounded by a lagoon and a fringing reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia, and the highest point, Mount Otemanu, reaching 2385 feet (727 meters). Over the last few years seven high-end resorts have been built on motus (small islands) surrounding the lagoon. Thirty years ago, Hotel Bora Bora built the first over-the-water bungalows on stilts in the lagoon and today, over-the-water bungalows are a standard feature of most resorts. Bora Bora's main attraction is its calm and crystal-clear lagoon offering the full array of nautical and land activities, such as off-roading up the hills to see the old World War II cannons or to get a bird’s-eye-view of the multicolored lagoon. The waters are said to be some of the most beautiful in the world.
From the navigator
We expect to arrive off Bora Bora at
8:00 am. After we have dropped anchor we will commence our tender operations. The last tender will leave shoreside at 5:30 pm and we will set sail shortly thereafter for Apia, Samoa.
The Society Islands
The Society Islands, one of the five major island groups that make up French Polynesia, are geographically, politically and administratively divided into two groups: the Windward Islands (which include Tahiti and Moorea among three others) and the Leeward Islands, to which Bora Bora belongs. The archipelago is generally believed to have been named by Captain James Cook in honor of the Royal Society, sponsor of the first British scientific survey of the islands; however, Cook states in his personal journal that he called the islands ‘Society’ “as they lay contiguous to one another.”
Labels: 2008, Jan 22
January 21, 2008 (Personal)
Papeete, Tahiti
We are in Papeete, but Carter and I have yet to get off. He is still working in clinic, or schmoozing with the passengers, so I will wait. This morning started out with a torrential downpour. I couldn’t believe so much rain could come down so quickly. At first I thought there was a hose outside our cabin washing the windows. Then it quickly cleared and the decks dried. From the view from the deck, as I awaited my RAFT drill, this place looks quite a bit like Hawaii. There are paved streets, ambulance sirens and sidewalks. I heard that a cup of coffee costs $13.00, so I think we will do our eating and drinking on the ship.
Every person on this ship has a story – and they are so interesting. Carter met a woman who escaped from East Berlin and is infused with the love of life. She knows what it is like not to be able to do what she wants. Another woman escaped from Poland in WWII and ended up walking all the way to Uzbekistan. She is wonderful – but very down to earth. She has started to come to Tai Chi with me each morning, but is always whispering to me that she just can’t accept all this stuff about the love of the universe and giving her love back. I think she is convinced of the benefits of the balance training and stretching and she agrees that she will continue to come to class.
The gym story became interesting as we had a time change every other day for 8 days. People were totally confused on when they were supposed to sleep and when to get up. I just try to live the time zone I am in, but Carter wasn’t convinced. One day he got to the gym at 4:30 am and there was a man who had been there for 2 hours already. They were both smirking because they got the ellipticals before that young couple. As Carter was leaving that day, one of the other regulars was going to confront this couple. Then to make the story more complex, Carter hasn’t been to the gym early for the last 3 days, so we don’t know what happened. I just noticed that neither of the young couple is in the gym at 7am any more. Maybe they decided it wasn’t worth the hassle. I’ll keep you posted. The lady with the sequined purse has yet to return.
Last night we were invited into a Verandah suite for before-dinner drinks and chatting. There was one of the speakers there – he was a good friend of Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews, as well as having dated Lucille Ball’s daughter. He had some fun stories to tell. The hostess decided that it was too hot in the cabin, so she opened the door. I’ve got news for her, that didn’t cool anything off. It was SO humid and hot that I watched Carter turn into a virtual fountain of sweat. Because it was evening, he had to dress in his long-sleeved, thick uniform which is tight around the collar, and I watched first his hair become damp and then he began to drip. By the time we left, he was a mess. As we were walking to our cabin, the steward took one look at Carter and asked, “Is it raining on the deck?” I couldn’t stop laughing. He did look as though he has just come in from a storm.
We continue to watch the poor passengers who are so confused. One woman was eating with a “friend” when both of them got up to go get something else to eat. The confused one returned, couldn’t remember which table she was sitting at, didn’t see her friend (who knows if she even remembered who she was eating with), and went to sit by herself. The friend returned to her same table, but has such difficulty seeing that she couldn’t find her friend anywhere. They both were eating alone 3 tables apart, with their backs to each other. So sad. But at least they found the dining room.
We have been invited to the Pinnacle 3 times in the next 2 weeks for a fancy dinner. The number of calories for each dinner is something I don’t want to think about. So I am becoming a vegetarian for most of the time in between. So far my weight is going down, so I don’t want to mess it up. Carter says there are two scales in the gym. One of them says he has gained nothing, the other says around 12 pounds. He is leaning toward the second as being correct…..Less ice cream, more veggies for him as well. He likes the desserts, I don’t. Lucky for me. .
Labels: 2008, Jan 21
Welcome to Moorea, Society Islands
Moorea is a high island that is part of the Society Islands, one of the five major island groups that form French Polynesia. The island of Moorea is administratively part of the municipality of Moorea-Maiao, which itself is in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands. It has now become a main tourist destination, visited by many tourists traveling to French Polynesia because of its striking landscape, friendly people, and close geographical proximity to Papeete, Tahiti. From above, the shape of the island vaguely resembles a fork, with its two nearly symmetrical bays opening to the north side of the island: Cook's Bay and Oponohu Bay. The island was formed as a volcano approximately 1.5 to 2.5 million years ago, the result of a geologic hotspot in the mantle under the oceanic plate that formed the whole of the Society Archipelago. It is theorized that the current bays were formerly river basins that filled during the Holocene searise. from the navigator
This
Labels: 2008, Jan 21
