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There is so much to tell but hard to choose what or where to start. Suffice to say that this Samoan trip has been my most favourite.

The family reunion was attended by almost 200 but another 200 couldnt make it. But it was still special as it was our first reunion in Samoa where our roots are. The NZ contingent was the largest group of 30 and our contributions in terms of leading a zumba class (organised by self), Maori items concluding with a Haka with the 2-10 year old boys in the front row a definite crowd pleaser as well as a variety of entertaining presentations of explaining where each of us connect to the main trunk. The weekend went so fast the reunion was over before we realised but it was long enough, we had lots of laughs and tears but wouldnt have missed it for the world.

Only one of my brothers chose not to attend. Mona, Tiaga, Seiuli, (Sione), Faafua, Iole, Vaitupu and Helen, I had to write their names to figure out which one didnt turn up. It was Sione who didnt turn up but it was his big loss. Every single person who attended found it a wonderful experience.

We have them every three years (this was just our second) so next time it will be in NZ and then 3 years later it will be back in Samoa, yay!!!! I feel close to my family who have passed away, because this is where they were born and raised. I was the only one of my generation born in NZ.

Since the reunion I and one of my nieces (and her large family) have been at Aggie Grey's Resort. We hired a van and drove to the village that was hit most by the tsunami last year and paid our respects, had a swim and left donations to help the various projects - felt good to be able to help in a small but direct way.

Today the family have gone out again but I need some rest today to just relax. Tomorrow we go to the larger island of Savaii where I taught in the 80s just have a look around then we race back to the mainland to get me on my plane home. I'll be ready - I've had a great time but I look forward to coming home. Maybe not too keen on the cold but I want my own bed!!!

What a wonderful few days . Bet it has gone so fast that you feel as though you just blinked and it was done ? So good to hear that everything was such a success and a happy time was had by all EllieA.
No doubt you will feel the cold when you arrive back in NZ. It has been darned chilly - even up here in Auckland, but we have had a few lovely sunshiney days , so all is not too bad. I went to a family gathering this past weekend , down in Waikato. Brilliant sunny days, but oh my.... the thick frosts on the ground in the mornings, were something else, and in some shaded areas it was still there at 2 oclock in the afternoon !
My family gathering was a lovely time too, but not as big as yours was. It was a cousin's 80th birthday, and a very happy time was had by all. Looking forward to catching up when you get home Ellie.

Sounds like you've had a wonderful time Ellieann and a very belated Happy Birthday too. Good on you for making this trip happen.

I have one big regret about this trip - I snapped at one of my grand nieces (20years old) on the first night of the reunion, because she had only just met us and started throwing around orders. I wasnt very nice as I tried to point out that she should take a back seat and just go with the flow, but I apologised as soon as I saw how upset she got with me. The more I tried to talk to her the worse she shut me off. I had to just let it go but it didnt get sorted, not really. She lives in NSW, Aust. I tried to make things as normal as possible the following days with her and her parents who believe all is ok. But I feel the niece hates me now for spoiling the reunion for her I dont want to make any more moves towards fixing this, the ball really is in her park - but it feels unfinished.

Oh.. that is a shame Ellie, but unless she is a super sensitive person, there probably isn't as much harm done as you seem to be thinking. Like, you may be making more of it in your own mind, just because you feel a bit guilty ? Sounds like you did your best to make it up to her afterwards, so there is not much point in doing any more. Sometimes it is best to just let time take care of these little things... it is a great healer . At 20, I think she will get over it, and probably even come to realise why it happened in the first place. You know what... I had a couple of Aunts who I thought were right old dragons when I was in my late teens too. With a bit of maturity later on in life, when I had my own kids, I realised that really they were both sweethearts, and that actually I loved them heaps ..

I was just thinking that very same thing on my way in to school just now Kate In the bigger picture, its a small thing that happened, if we get a chance to meet again I'm sure it will be all good... eventually. I just wanted the whole weekend to be absolutely perfect for everyone but life doesnt always happen that way!!! There's bound to be little clashes when large numbers of people gather in one spot.