Talofa lava to our family of Voyagers, Malo lava le soifua manuia.
My humble apologies for being quiet in more than year due to lots of works that needed done on land in maintenance of Gaualofa, preparing crew, awareness programs and much more into sustaining our mission.
She's returned home proudly flying her five stars again into foreign seas.
It's a very hot Thursday afternoon, October 2nd 2014, when Samoa's Vaatele Gaualofa, raises her sails again for another open ocean voyage.
Her sister Canoe, Marumaru Atua from the Cook Islands accompanies her.
Before their departure, both crews receive traditional blessings from His Highness the Head of State, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi. His Highness is the Patron for the Aiga Folau o Samoa (Samoa Voyaging Society).
while her Highness Filifilia Tamasese prepares a hearty breakfast to remember.
Galumalemana Steve Percival takes photos inside and outside their Highness's residence, Tuaefu in remembrance of the event.
In his farewell address, His Highness, acknowledges the contribution of Dieter and Hanna Pullman of Germany to our Pacific people. The canoes remind him of their (Pullman's) commitments to preserving our oceans, our environments and the future of our people.
The two vans on standby take voyagers back to the beach.
There, the crew of Samoas Vaatele Gaualofa, receives a briefing on their environmental duties at sea from James Atherton Environment Consultant. He reminds them on the importance in logging all necessary things they observe. South Pacific Regional Environment Program ( SPREP) sponsors this part of their mission together with Conservation International (CI)
It was time for them to leave the city of Apia, when they all gathered under the nearest shade on the beach for a cultural prayer from the father figure on Gaualofa, Chief, Lavata'i Mailagi.
Traditionally, the land crew, families, and friends of Samoa's Vaatele Gaualofa, present, each of the crew members on both canoes, with the most popular fragrance mosooi lei.
Marumaru Atua is ten minutes ahead of her sister Gaualofa, now heading to Fiji.
Faafetai i lau tapua'iga,
Ma ia manuteleina le tatou folauga.
Leilua.
