SAMOA 2014: 'Aga Reef Resort

'Aga Reef Resort

Samoa is currently experiencing wet season, so with that come tropical rains, and cyclones that encompass the pacific. The Thursday we had arrived it was bucketing down, and for the previous three weeks. Some flashflooding had also occurred and sadly even some lives had been lost.  We had known this before coming so we weren’t expecting the best of Samoa’s weather. I was hopeful we might get at least one day of sun in our 18-day stay!

The Monday subsequent to our arrival we booked a five night stay at a beachfront resort called, ‘Aga Reef Resort in a village called Lalomanu, situated about an hour’s drive from Apia, the main town .

From what I have been told, the word ‘Aga represents ‘coral’.

We were driven to the resort, by a family friend who took us in his well-kept taxi.

We drove along a familiar main road and pass Piula cave pool (pronounced pee-you-lah).  I had last come to swim there with my two daughters, then aged six months  and two years of age. I feel a pang of missing my babies, but I smile at the fact that they had the chance this beautiful place. And hopefully many more chances.

It had been the first sunny day since arriving and the drive in the mountains on the way to the resort is breathtaking.

We arrive at ‘Aga Reef Resort. We had chosen to visit this resort over others, due to good reviews by friends and family, and it’s relatively recent opening in April 2013.

One of many dips in the pool

We’re blown away by it’s beauty and location. We are staying in a waterfront villa which is stunning. It is but a few metres, above the blue water, looking out onto the ocean in our own little villa. I’m in paradise. When we arrived at the resort, we also had a pleasant surprise as the lady at reception happened to be the wife of my cousin. It was a joy to be cared for by Margareta.

Margareta

Relaxing in our Villa 

Balcony on the water

Our backyard, late afternoon 

Warm welcome

Contemporary local artwork

Bridge to the island of Villas

The service has been impeccable, we have gotten to know the staff, and owners and befriended some Australian tourists staying at ‘Aga. The food was amazing, which has typically incorporated local organic produce into it’s menu. You could taste the experience and precision of executive chef Kit Foe (click for his rave review). I salivate just thinking about it. 

Samoan "Avoca", avocado - best ever 

Ever since we have arrive at ‘Aga Reef Resort the weather has been perfect. Even in this rainy season. We seemed to have cast away the rains, so I like to think. We’ve been very blessed.

View of resort from island & rock pool 

Spotting the turtle

Pool deck

Being born and raised on the coast, Cam loves to sit and look at the sea and watch the waves as I try to learn how breaks occur, what is a good wave, and so forth.

We have even seen a turtle in the lagoon in front of our villa. We were swimming about five metres from it and watch it surface it’s cute little head. Turtles can live for decades, even for the average lifespan of a human and even longer. I thought, if turtles could talk, what would they tell me from what they have seen in their many years.

At the end of every day...

SAMOA 2014: Beyond Friends

Beyond Friends

Coming to Samoa, we have family here. I like the idea of the more times we come, the more we can establish founded friendships and also make new ones.

We have been well looked after by family, and also by new found friends here. We had the opportunity to meet the family of a missionary serving in Melbourne who we became quite fond of in our church. This missionary relayed to his parents in Samoa that we were coming for a holiday and we have been cared for with great hospitality and generosity.

Another cool fact is that this missionary, will be baptizing his father as a new member of our church, The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints, at the conclusion of his mission which will be about July 2014.

It has been lovely to see the home of where this missionary and values have stemmed from which I believe in such cases, are always deeply rooted from the home.

SAMOA 2014: Sinamoga

Sinamoga

We were picked up from the aiport by cousin Tui, and 14-year-old son Jonathan who towers over his mother. Through our greeting exchanges from travelling in the car we hear one our car tyre buckling beneath us. It need’s a change and soon Cam is on the muddy ground changing the car’s flat tyre. We laugh about my husband’s welcoming initiation into Samoa.

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Both my mother’s and father’s family were born in the island of Savai’i (pr. Sah-vah-ee) which is not the main island of Samoa. Savai’I in my mind is the most pristine and untouched of places I have been. It holds a special place in my heart, particularly where my mother was raised in the village of Tapuele’ele (pr. Tah-poo-eh-leh-eh-leh) also known as Vaiola (pr. Vah-e-yaw-lah). We named one of our daughter’s after this beautiful place, and she is just as beautiful.

It was common in my parents’ day for their families to then come to the main island of Upolu (pr. oo-poor-loo) for better employment opportunity to raise their families in. Upolu is where the Faleolo airport is situated.

My mother’s family reside in a place called Sinamoga (pr. Si-nah-maw-nga) , while my father’s family reside in Vaivase (pr. Vay-vuss-eh), both villages on Upolu Island. We are staying in my mother’s house in Sinamoga, with my aunty Maoti, her husband and sons. Her sons of course include nephews or other family members they have taken in. This is a common occurrence in the Samoan culture. 

I love Aunty Maoti. She is like a mother who has known me from a young age, and also lived with my family in Melbourne. In Samoa, she is my mother. Along with Aunty Karol, also here from Melbourne.

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Home, Sinamoga

Boy cousins, Herman & Vaega

Daily Life

Apia Town, after heavy rains

"Mud" Volleyball

Palagi with the boys; Alope, Va'a, Jonathan, Herman & locals

SAMOA 2014: Afio Mai

Afio Mai

I was feeling-less leaving Melbourne. My anxiety over leaving the children, versus, my anxiety in entering a tropical paradise with my Mister - sort of cancelled each other out, which left me feeling-less. It makes sense to me, anyway.

I decided my babies were safe with grandma and nana, hence I emotionally made myself available for new and amazing experiences.

Our descent into Apia proved to be a little turbulent (or the most eventful aero-landing I have ever experienced) and my fellow Samoan passengers respond to this with cheers and applause that we had safely touched the tarmac in tact. And an echo of “Malo” heard throughout the plane acknowledging gratitude, even to God. I love this about the Samoan people, they are always thankful to God for all they are and what they have.

I had visited my homeland Samoa a handful of times over the past decade, which has been enough times to know that once I would step off the plane onto the rolling staircase that touched Samoa’s soil – I would gulp in the warm salty breeze that would jolt my body into knowing I was in the tropics!

Waiting in line to pass customs I commented to my mister the smell of the air which was a mixture of warm salt and damp wood. The congregation of people and humidified-everything was also present. I say hello to man in the line we are standing in, whose daughters I grew up with in church.

In Samoa, the world is a small place. And in the Church, it’s an even smaller place.

One of my favourite things ever, upon entering the Faleolo Airport is the group of local men singing Samoan  melodies with the ukulele and guitar welcoming foreigners or locals back to this beautiful place.  By now, I’m sweating trying to lug my suitcase off the baggage carousel with 100 other people. Mission successful, with none of our belongings inconveniently taking itself to another airport in the world. It has happened before.

But for us we were in the absolutely most precise airport, which would prove to be what is the most beautiful country in the world, amid a cluster of signs declaring “Afio Mai”. Welcome.

This Old Home

We have moved from house to apartment. From suburbia to the city.

A good friend of mine said to me, upon the news that Cam, the kids and I would be moving; that most people want to venture out into the country. The rolling green hills, the fresh air, the space. And whatever else draws one toward there. For Cam and I, our kind of country - is the city. For now, I guess. A time and a season, the saying goes.

For me, I think it's in my blood that I am drawn to the city. I was born in Melbourne city, and raised for the most part of life here. Although we moved home when I was eight years old from Lygon Street, Carlton to 30km away, my parents and siblings commuted everyday to the city for school & work. 

A good part of me is here in this city. Now being here with my husband and children is surreal and wonderful and crazy and awesome. The scariest part of moving was having four children under six years of age and walking the traffic-ridden streets. But they are more sensible than I would have thought. For the most part. 

Instead of waking up and looking out our window to uncovered skies and suburban homes, we wake up each morning to sky scrapers and terraces and brick heritage buildings. There are many moments I find myself staring out the window to this kind of world.

We opted to try the lifestyle walking everywhere. Walking and catching the tram to work, school and kindergarten. Exactly what my parents and siblings did as a young family. I think of them often and love them for those wonderful memories they gave us. 

I drive once a week, too and from church. 

I walk to Victoria Market around the corner for fresh produce. The market is an amazing place to be. It's like a hub for people to be whoever they want to be. In style, in personality, and whatever else.

Walking home from school, I love the big tall trees in the gardens where I used to roam and play as a child. If only trees could talk. I become nostalgic and remember as a child this old home. And walking down local streets like Grattan & Elgin. And then I see before me, my own children who are now that age.

Cam takes the girls to walk & catch the tram each morning to school and kindergarten, on his way to work. I like to watch my girls when we sit on the tram and wonder what they are thinking, taking in their environment. I wonder what I used to think, when I was the age my kids are now, in this environment. The parks are wonderfully kept, and there is much to do for them.

We see so many people. Business worker to university student. There are tradesmen and cranes on nearly every block. Architecture richly diverse.

Melbourne is a city with so many wonderful and unknown things to do. I look forward to finding out what those things are with Cam and the kids.

It's nice to be back. And to make this old home once mine, our new home.

Irra

The First Days

For the last four good years, I've been the stay-at-home mum. And some weeks I really have felt like I've stayed at home for the good part (You mamas know what I'm talking about?).
Sometimes it felt like it would last a long while, and the days of my eldest child, and children following suit - would be a long while before they would come. And now we are almost a week past that long while. Our two girls - one has started her first year of prep, and her year younger sister has started four-year-old kinder, this week past.

Just. Crazy.

People always say "time flies!" but really, time has come and gone swiftly and sometimes it's a hard pill to swallow that I'm 26, and not 20 (which is what I feel like still) from when our having children began.  Six years later, four precious cherubs to join our little family. Or the 'Walshies' which is what some friends and family have dubbed us.

So we share with you our beginnings, as we begin our First Day: Luaipou's First Day at School, and Vaiola's First Day at Kindergarten.

The girls have been super excited for the school term to get going, since before Christmas (and what a crazy rush of events it was preceeding Christmas!)

We call Luaipou 'Pouey', and Vaiola 'La'.

Pouey has been super excited for school, as she was for kinder. She can be a little shy too. But her shy sweet self, never completely stops her from participating in activities. She is a gentle soul, and with motherly instincts quite intact - we're certain being the eldest of four children under the age of six has stimulated this. The night before we tried on her uniform to get into school mode, she beamed with pride.

As for me, her mummy, I knew she was quite ready for school, and ready to blossom from this learning phase of her childhood. I was excited too, and had no apprehension at letting her go. She is just a blessing to our family in many ways, and I couldn't wait to watch her sprout into the beautiful young girl she has always been, and becoming even moreso.

A good day always starts with breakfast, and smiles..

I guess I had anticipated this day, and her school was good in preparing all the students meeting them a couple times last year, getting to know them etc. I felt quite comfortable our little girl would be fine. With the dressing, getting ready, and breakfast-ing of our other three children, perhaps that was a good distraction to disguise my nerves. She was excited, and a little nervous at the same time. I know I was definitely shy as a child, first day of school could be pretty intimidating for children I imagine.

We say our family prayer, and this day, was somehow a little different and maybe just that much more sweeter (or somewhat sombre) that we were farewelling our eldest daughter and sister. I thought about how she had been home with me everyday since she was born. What a blessing it was that I had that time with her. Precious time watching her reach her milestones, precious time in pyjamas all day, precious time - having no real schedule! Or at least an everyday school schedule. Those five years have come, but haven't really gone so quickly, as I have been able to be at home with her. I feel grateful for that blessing.

This is a precious photo to me, Pouey playing in the car with her little brother Donovan. Donovan just  adores little Pouey. She was the next person after me, who he would give kisses too - and for timid reserved Donovan that's certainly saying a lot!

So, we accomplish the seven minute drive from home unscathed. And we find a car park conveniently in right by her classroom. Looking through the fence of the primary school could be metaphoric in various ways. Through the gates was the beginning of a new world, and as I was becoming nostalgic, Pouey nudged me and was eager and ready to step through those gates.

We were lucky to have proud Grandma come with us, share this milestone with us too. Grandchild # 2, of 8, to become a preppy.

We said our goodbyes, and Cam and I, daddy and mummy, both gave her a kiss just inside the doorway and watched her walk to the mat and sit down with the other children. We walked out, and peeked through the closed door - and there she was attentive to her teach Miss Wallace - and didn't look back.

Sigh of relief. And no tears from her. Or me! Hooray!

When I went with the kids to pick her up from school on her first day, she was still beaming. And I was sure she had grown in maturity, just a little more.

She has just completed her first week of school as of today. Ta daa!

One of her favourite things (and naturally instinctive) when we pick her up from school is to greet her siblings and take Donovan from my hands immediately. And Donovan is quite satisfied with this too.

 

And so there it is. Pouey's first week at primary school.

And, last but not least, or second eldest child Vaiola has completed her first week of kinder. Two days, seven and a half hours each day her schedule. (People ask as I do, what ever will I do with myself with two children gone, and two children left at home? Cleaning. Probably.)

Vaiola is sweet and innocently talkative (Yes, we all have a talkative one, right?) Not really shy, and has been asking since last November, when will it be her turn attend kinder. And that time couldn't have come any sooner for her.
She eased into her first day well and was so excited to carry her school bag and make the two minute walk to kinder from home (great, huh?!) I was able to walk La to her first day of kinder on my own. I appreciate (as I'm sure my kids do) the one-on-one time I have with the kids and try to give my attention to them exclusively in these moments. But there aren't too many of these moments, having four rambunctious children, so when they come - they are special.

She was super excited to head to her first day of kinder. And when we arrived a little early, we had to wait for her teacher Miss Alyssa to open the door. A few minutes of waiting, were a few minutes too long for Miss Impatience! Waiting.. and waiting.. you know, five minutes to a child can feel like five hours..

And then I did the sign in (I had this downpact from the previous year sending Pouey to kinder) so the routine really felt like I was continuing with La. And then we were in, thanks to Miss Alyssa.

La found her locker for her bag, she put her snack on the snack time trolley whilst I snagged a permanent marker from Miss Alyssa to name La's bottle (which should have already been previously named, oops). La found her way to the sitting mat and her expression was nervous, excited and quite content to send me off with a wave goodbye. I couldn't help but hang around for a few moments longer to enjoy this exciting time for her and watch her relish the moment of finally being at kinder. She is a gem. Especially with that scrumptious no-lip smile.

Pouey is able to come and pick La up from kinder with me, and she is just as eager as I am to find out how La's first day at kinder went. And typically, it was successful. One of my favourite things about my children, are the moments (yes, not always) when they are proud of their siblings, and give each other comfort or support through hugs and words of kindness.

La had a great day. And Miss Alyssa says La is a happy child who likes to talk a lot (of course I laugh with no surprise) and comments she is one of the better 'listener's' in the class (this time I laugh with surprise). And so, we love our little Lala, who by the way, was nicknamed by her older sister.

And so it is, the week of 'firsts' for our family. Which also will precedent many 'firsts' to come.

I love families. And can see how every family, including mine, are meant to be together. Forever.