Day 10 and the Wedding of Raihau

We've been anticipating this since we were invited. We've been treated so nicely by everyone we've met, but did have some concerns about this strictly private event, but we were as welcomed here as we could want. There were at least 200 participants, all dressed in beautiful and colorful clothing and flowers. Take a look.

Since we had played hookey the previous day, we had to start the day at the boat and get the masthead wind instruments installed. That entails getting Conni 65-feet off the deck in a "bosun's chair" with all the tools that she might need. The bosun's chair is just below the dorade vent (the shiny metal horn-looking thing) and the box contains the tools and equipment that she'll need. We bought new walkie-talkies, the yellow radio in the box. We've got voice-operated boom mics. The radios are so much better than yelling!

As we were gearing up, this first-of-type vessel entered the little cove. It's a 6-person, aluminum outrigger canoe or "va'a".

A close-up of lovely/courageous Conni about to ascend the mast. Her bosun's chair's pockets are loaded with gear.

A good photo of the celebration and participants. Note the drinking coconuts on the closest table. There is LOTS of color!

My plate full of traditional delicacies, and my drinking coconut, perched on a glass. We enjoyed pork with ketchup-based sauce, poisson cru, saffron rice, taro, breadfruit, yams, black-lipped mussels, white beans in ginger sauce, and a few others. Most was interesting and a lot was excellent.

The flower headband, a "maile haku" was worn by most women and girls. I think that they're beautiful.

The bride, in white, is gorgeous. She and Raihau have been together for many years and have a daughter.

Raihau and his new bride cut their cake.

Another view of the festivities. Such color!

I shot to show the beautiful weaving of coconut fronds and the lovely flowers that festooned everything.

This is the master-of-ceremonies taking the mic as the wedding goodies are distributed. Not speaking Polynesian, we had no clue what he was saying.

A good shot of the bride and the astounding assortment of cookies and cakes. Each person received a plateful.

Polynesian culture is legendary for its care of small children and we saw that behavior everywhere. Here, the woman at right had been dancing while holding the child and handed him off to another non-relative. Note the lovely tattoo on the other woman's shoulder.

Our host and bridegroom, Raihau, laughs with friends and family. Note the beautiful tattoo on the woman's shoulder.

As a woman was departing, she gave her gorgeous maile haku to Conni. I thought that it was the loveliest at the party.

She looks great in the headband, and the flowers are beautiful.

"No, you can't have the ball!" There were few disputes among the kids.

These two older but lovely women danced together. The woman with her back to the camera danced a lot and seemed to enjoy the attention.

Most of the couples were excellent dancers and loved to waltz.

Why so few kid problems? A water slide! Genius.

An old women sitting in front of us had these beautiful and aged hands. She's done some work.

Yep, she had a GOOD time!

She also seemed to enjoy "holding court".

Many of the couples danced barefoot on the concrete. We mere mortals would have blistered feet in minutes.

This young man was busy destroying the beautiful woven palm, but it was too strong for him.

We were fortunate to see these three jump to a traditional drum song. It was interesting and beautiful to watch.

They seemed to be having a great time.

Conni's maile haku from the back, just to show the beautiful flowers.

Raihau carts around a kid.