This is the first time since that day that all the siblings are in the same place at the same time. (Even on their parents' funerals there was always one or the other who could not make it due to work pressure... But now they're all retired.)
* * *
On the day of the party, everyone who doesn't have to work gathers on Mount Totara, in the garden of the Ancient Pa.
A few of the teenagers immediately start exploring the fort. Leonard and Rosa discover the statue can be moved, but Feleti is the one who actually decides to try what will happen... (Nothing happens, as a matter of fact, except that Feleti gets very dirty and tired...)
Down in the main hall, Anette tries to scare her younger brother and sister by telling them about the mummy who is supposed to live in the tower and who is all set to eat their cousins... (Eek!!)
Fetina quickly puts an end to that, and instead reads them the plaques inside the fort, which tell stories of the trickster Maui and how he slowed down the sun and stole fire from the gods. This makes the little ones laugh again. (And Anette's flashlight is confiscated.)
Aimee Williams was clever enough to bring a big cardboard box full of toys for the kids. Here are Rangi and Malika having a good time.
The Ngateas reminisce about their many picnics here when they were children.
And since all this talk of picnics is making everyone hungry, they decide to head to the beach, where they are joined by those family members who couldn't get the day off.
They spend the rest of the late afternoon and evening chatting, catching fish for supper, eating, drinking and dancing and getting to know their relatives (and in-laws).
Marley and his young cousins enjoy the waterslide.
And when evening falls, there are firepits - and fresh fish for roasting.
And links for those who don't like fish.
Colette Ngatea and her niece-by-marriage, Claudine Palefau.
And catching up with her sister-in-law, Louise.
All in all it was a wonderful day.
* * *
A few days later Fetina and Tokoni and most of their family go back home, but Louise and her family decide to stay around for a while. Marley discovered an old friend on the island, Silver Roger.
He's even considering opening a restaurant with Silver Roger and his wife.
No comments:
Post a Comment