21 June 2011:

The performance starts. I always look forward to song and dance. This is a performance troupe formed by the inhabitants of the island of Wayasewa whose villagers run the resort of Kuata.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

The meal. Outdoors and exposed to the mosquitoes. There was my favourite, palusami, but theirs was the spinach version and not the superior taro leaf version. The timing of the dinner was good, as a light rain started falling just after everyone was finished.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

Picture of the spread. They've been working all day with shovels and other tools on their smoky lovo, the underground oven the food was cooked in. I love food cooked in underground ovens for that distinct smoky flavour.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

They held a kava welcome ceremony (I assume for demo purposes). Here's a picture of me after the ceremony with the person representing the tribe/village. There weren't many Asians around, so I felt like I had some special recognition as the people working at the resort just called me "China."

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

View of the patio area at dusk. I had some meals and drank kava in this area during my stay on Kuata.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

Setup for their weekly special dinner, followed by dance performances. Fi and Api, my Couchsurfing host/travel agent, made sure to book me in for the special days at the resorts whenever possible.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

Looking back at the resort.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

Finally, the sky starts to darken after the sun is below the horizon, and the glowing warmth in done for the day. As the tide comes in, the tiny road becomes covered by an urgent rush of water with each incoming wave.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

The glowing clouds offer the last glimmer of sunlight for the day.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html

21 June 2011:

Another view of the velvety water slithering and wrapping around the sharp and jagged rocks. Maybe one day the rocks will be as smooth as the water from erosion.

Rough notes:
http://mandarinmanmarktravelnotes.blogspot.com/2012/07/2011-nz-to-sf-day-39.html