Today we had another busy Saturday. Seems strange to think of a vacation/holiday as busy, but when you leave the house by 8:00 a.m. and return home after 11:30 p.m., it feels like a long busy day.

We started off at the Pananga Nui Market to pick up fresh veggies for the week. We ran into our neighbor Raewyn and her friends Janet and Richard. They invited us to breakfast at a local cafe. We were planning to eat at the market, but we joined them for coffee at the cafe. While there, they invited us to a barbeque later that night at one of the Sailing Club members house and to come over to their house Sunday afternoon for cake and coffee. We told them we had a pretty full day, but that we would try to make it to the barbeque since it was very close to our house, and so far these folks had all been very fun to hang around with! We told them we would definitely be over tomorrow for cake and coffee.

After that we headed home to drop off groceries and then back to town so I could get a haircut and Val could take care of some emailing that needed to get done. Haircuts here are pretty much the same as back home only much less expensive. $18NZ ($13.60US) and tipping is considered rude. To be honest, she did a great job! I didn't want to have to get it cut in Fiji since they generally use a Kava bowl on your head and trim up to it. Just kidding, but it is a little more 'rustic' and I didn't want to wait until New Zealand. It's pretty hot here and long hair doesn't work well. Just ask Val:)

After the haircut, we went over to Marc's place to do a final check of supplies and then headed off to the International Rugby 7's tournament at the National Stadium (photos). It was great fun! Marc packed an incredible picnic complete with several cheeses, ham, a cous cous salada, pate, humus and of course a large baguette, we added wine and a pasta salad. After we stuffed ourselves, we started to pay attention to the games in earnest. The competition was much quicker and more refined than the locals tournament we had watched the week before. On the women's side, the Auckland Maori team took first place, winning the 'Cup' as they call it. The game was completely lopsided. They are 'bloody ruthless' as the locals would say. The men's final was also between a New Zealand team, but it was from Wellington and not Auckland. They didn't fair as well and were beaten by a local team.

By the time it was all said and done, we had watched about 10-12 games. They only last 15 minutes each (2 7-1/2 minute halves with about a 3 minute break between halves).

After the games we went home, dropped off the picnic supplies, had a quick shot of Patron, and headed off to the barbeque We arrived well after everyone had eaten, but we weren't hungry anyway and really just went for the socializing. It was a blast. Mostly the same folks from the Sailing Club. The conversations all around would start at a quiet level and build to a roar. Then quiet down again and start all over. It was great fun until around 11:00 p.m. when everyone began to break up and head home.

All in all, another great day in paradise!

Until next time, remember the next person you meet could be your next best friend!.

Eric