Revisiting March Madness: Matotea's Adventure in Tubuai

More than a month ago now, Matotea left on a jet-plane, all set for a great big adventure in Tubuai, with a group of Rurutu  primary school pupils.

They spent a week at school in Tubuai, celebrating a travelling version of Tahiti's book festival...

...learning about bee-keeping...

 

...welcoming her dad on the Fa'afaite...

...and last, but not least, competing in the Austral Islands orero competition final.

Here are a few pictures of the children and their amazing costumes....

She enjoyed meeting students from across the Australs...
 ...from Raivavae...

...Rimatara...

...and even two children from Rapa (a two month absence from home for them, as the boat only visits Rapa once a month!), and of course from Tubuai as well (visiting her aunt, uncle and cousins there, as well as meme who made a flying visit).

Matotea was thrilled by the book fair, she bought signed copies of several books by local authors, including Simone Grande (left), she also saw the published collection of Austral Islands school stories, which included her detective story.

As part of the celebrations there was also a real live, singing and dancing Maui and Vaiana (Moana), as well as Vaiana's canoe and cute papier mâché versions of  the cast, including Pua, Heihei and Tamatoa!