Back to the real life May 21, 2006

 

They say that your eyes are the windows to your soul.  Well in the last few months of my time in Barcelona and during my 78 days of travelling I have seen the mean extremes – pure happiness and deep sadness.  I have left some great friends, family and colleagues in Europe which makes me very sad and I will carry this around with me for a long time.  However I am back with my family in my home and that is what my soul needs to heal. 

Here's when we were little and mum dressed us all up in traditional costumes.

It has been a true adventure and with this blog it will help me remember it all – from Morrocan snake charmers in Marrakesh, to final farewells in Barcelona, Harlem and Broadway in New York,  Playa del Carmen beaches and the Mayan ruins of Tulum, Palenque ruins in south Mexico, the zapatistas and revolutionists in San Cristobal, chicken buses and friends in Guatemala – Xela, hippies and finding my aura in San Marcus, streets of Antigua, the reggae of Livingston, Mayan temples of Tikal, diving in Caye Caulker in Belize and catamarans in San Pedro, little Amazon of Tortugero in Costa Rica, surfing in Puerto Viejo, the canal and old town of Panama City, hanging with the cool people in Miami, my time with Kiriana and Manawanui in Cuzco and mountain biking, walking Machu Picchu, time in the jungle with anacondas, tarantulas in the Amazon, sandboarding in Huacachina, Peru, Venice beach in LA, surfing in Hawaii, and relaxing with Sarah and Ross and the kids in Sydney and finally getting home.

I learnt many things but one thing that struck me when I went to the Polynesian Cultural Centre when I saw so many Polynesians, the Fijian, Samoans, Hawaiians, Maoris, Taonga, Tahitians,  together and performing their own traditional songs and dances.  It helped me glue together many parts of my trip and my life… I saw pride and passion. 

Pride for their culture and passion for what they were doing. I have seen that passion professionally, from people like Alfonso and the Exec team, Marc and Susana to people like John Banks, from my dad and the rest of my family.  And it is addictive. 

I have seen passion for ones culture from Muslims in Morroco to Peruvians over their land and arts, to the Polynesians in Hawaii or the Maori's in New Zealand.  You see the passion in their eyes. 

And passion for life and loved ones from all my friends and family and their children. 

Now it's my turn to find my passion for life, professionally, for my culture and personally…

Adios Taiawhio Te Parata

Ko Takitimu te waka. (My canoe is Takitimu).

Ko Tamatea Pokai Whenua te maunga. (My mountain is Tamatea Pokai Whenua).

Ko Whangaraupo te moana. (My harbour is Whangaraupo).

Ko Ngai Tahi te iwi. (My tribe is Ngai Tahu).

Ko Ngati Wheke te hapu. (My subtribe is Ngati Wheke).

Ko te Wheke te marae. (My home is te Wheke).

Ko Te Pura o te Rangi toku papa. (My father is Te Pura o te Rangi).

Ko Reihana toku mama. (My mother is Reihana.)

Ko Taiawhio te Tau Parata ahau. (I am Taiawhio te Tau Parata).

Day 77-78: Sydney May 21, 2006

 

Heading into winter. Certainly noticed the change in temperature but it was good to be back in Sydney.  Hadnt been back since I left nearly 7 years ago.  Not a huge amount of changes – some down in Darling Harbour and Chinatown.  Stayed with Ross and Sarah and Luke and Erika. The kids are great and Luke even played teh saxophone for me. Was very strange to be a tourist in a place where I was once a local. 

 

Walked from Balmain where I use to live, to the ferry then all through downtown to Darling Harbour, a bus to Bondi, to watch the surfers.  Then a bus back to Oxford st and walkd back into town.

Day 74-76: Hawaii May 13, 2006

Been chilling out during my last days at the beach and pool.  I wander if there is more to life than surfing and sun…. naaa.

The endless summer must come to an end so today I will be flying to Sydney to catch up with friends before heading home.  In the immortal words of Boys to Men "its so hard to say good bye to yesterday".

Was down at the small wharf on Waikiki where the locals boogie board or go diving off the roof of the shelter.  Then checked out the beach volleyball players.  Last night was a "Midnight on Waikiki" concert with catwalk, music and food. 

Also watched a bit of the tandem long boarding.  2 people on a long board and the guy usually lifts the girl up above his head while surfing in. I guess they get bored with catch 15 foot waves and getting barrels. 

Anyway my time is up here unfortunately.  In 2 weeks I have spent more on food and accommodation than what I spent in 2 months in central American.  Cant complain had a great time and I felt like I was only home… except it was a lot warmer.

More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tparata/

"I'll be back" – Arnold Schwarzenagger and Tai

Day 73: Windward side May 11, 2006

 

Today decided to go to to the famous Polynesian Cultural centre on the windward side.  This was set up by the Mormon Church years ago to help students fund their education and give people an incite in to the Polynesian cultures.

The Centre is divided up in to islands – Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, Samoa, Aotearoa (NZ), Hawaii, Marques Islands and Rapanui.  There are replicas of the villages and people doing the arts and crafts.  Mostly students working here.  They also have an Imax theatre and an evening performance from all the islands.  Well worthwhile.  You feel a lot of pride for all the Polynesian cultures.  They do lots of activities during the day like – cocnut tree climbing races, leanring the poi, drum classes and cultural performances.

Manawanui, how do you like my tattoo? 

OK so it will wash off in the shower.

Day 63-72: Hawaii May 10, 2006

Sorry for disappearing off the radar.  I have just been considering the affect of the modern day automobile on the geopolitical situation of the world during the last century.  Translated, I have been sunning and surfing and decided to disappear off the map for a while.  Now I'm back and I'm black.

 

Hawaii is pretty cool.  Constant temperature of around 27-30 degrees, dry heat which is bearable with light tradewinds.  I have been in Waikiki on the South Shore and going up to the north shore for surfing as well.  Waikiki is packed with hotels but is well setup and has good surf out the front.  Got up to 8 foot faces, but it is always packed with long boarders.  There is also a spot for boogie boarders.  See the guy above is standing up on a boogie board.

They had the USO tribute to the Armed services in Waikiki so had a big free concert.  Got to see John Legend sing.  Then there were also lots of military and some of their hardware.

Went around the island.  The south side is where Honolulu and Waikiki are.  Gets good southerly swell and has good snorkling. The windward side (east coast), is more for windsurfing and has the huge volcanic mountains. 

 

The north shore is where all the biggest waves are – Sunset beach, bonzai, backdoors, Haleiwa.  Its 1 hour drive from Honolulu. All famous surf spots.  One day the swell got up to 12 foots faces (double overhead).  Bonzai was not working well but people were still getting coverups.

The people are nice but a it seems strange seeming Polynesian features and then when they talk a strong American accent comes out.  There is a lot of mix between the original Hawaiians and the asians.  More than 30% of the population is Asian (Korean, Philopino, Japanese).  The mix of Asian and Pacific island produces a cool mix - tan, finer features, athletic and even freckles.

Got my hair cut off.  Got a number 3 for most of my hair.  So it is pretty short, but better for surfing and swimming and I save on gel. Enjoying it at the moment but only got a few days to go and then off to Sydney and then home.

Hope you are better dad, will see you soon.

Love Taiawhio