As I inch closer to returning to the Pacific, I reminisce 2018.

2018 was the source of my cultural immersive journey having visited. From Aotearoa to the Marshall islands, my journey through people took flight and established this realization in all of my onward cultural trips: the PEOPLE come FIRST!

These were my stops:

Tonga

Leaving Aotearoa brought me to my first ever true Pacific Island culture known imfamously as the “friendly islands”, TONGA. The familiarality of the tropics having been 3 years since Cuba, was a whole new world in Polynesia in the Pacific’s last remaining Kingdom in the modern world. Exploring Tongatapu, the island of ‘Eua, Uoleva island in the Ha’apai island group, and a deep immersive cultural experiene in Vava’u.

Fiji

After experiencing the definition of a true voyage via sail and after five days at sea from Tonga, I landed in Fiji Islands. This voyage was split between one and a half weeks on a sail boat, and about the same time more on land. Having a first hand glimpse of some of the western Mamanucas islands and wester Viti levu through village stays. It was here that gave me a firsthand glimpse into the very crossroads of an archipelago that retains strong Melanesian and Polynesian culture noted through it’s language.

Tuvalu

An archipelago of nine islands on the edge of Polynesia. Who would have known, that just a mere read of a few online resources and a few books in an Aucland library would push this nation first up on my travel desire list.

And because of this, my anticipations of Tuvalu were highest along this trip and how did I feel when I got there? I had my breath taken away and felt right at home. Through the language, the people, local culture, music and dance, and the beautiful hues of green narrow slivers of land overwhelmed by deep hues of blue of the surrouding lagoon and sea. Unfortunately alike many low lying atolls, Tuvalu is on the list of many nations suffering due to climate change, and seeing this with my own eyes, really tore my heart strings.

My time here was limited to Funafuti not only due to shoestring budget, but because of onward travels to Nauru and strict requirements to book everything in advance prior to arrival. Thats okay though! I’m much more prepared for my return to dive deeper.

A heartwarming photo capturing the inclusivity and warmth of Tuvalu's community. In the picture, the user stands among friendly locals, their smiles reflecting genuine hospitality. The backdrop showcases Tuvalu's scenic beauty, emphasizing the spirit of cultural exchange and connection between the user and the people of Tuvalu.

andy beach, throwing a Shaka hand sign with a wide smile. In the background, the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean meet the clear blue sky, creating a serene tropical scene.

Kiribati

Right next to Tuvalu, is the nations former cultural brother in arms, well, from a colonial standpoint. (British and Ellice Islands) Kiribati had been another island nation high up on my list of curious voyages only going back years to the days of my 9-5 work life in the foothills of South Carolina. With the imfamous overwater buia stay at Tabon te Keekee as the main highlight, my voyage expanded beyond that stay into my favorite cultural destinations in my world travels thus far.

Despite a shoe string budget, I had the opportunity to not only visit both North and South Tarawa, but venturing outward to local communities on Abaiang island and the vibrant island life of Butaritari in the north. To this day alongside Tuvalu, Kiribati is a place I yearn to return back to and despite my shoestring budget screaming for more funds, I’m still going back!

A picturesque view of a traditional Kiribati overwater buia, a thatched-roof hut built on stilts above the clear, turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean. The buia is intricately constructed with local materials, showcasing Kiribati's traditional architecture. The image captures the unique charm of Kiribati's coastal living, highlighting the vibrant culture and connection to the surrounding natural beauty.

A heartwarming selfie featuring the user and cheerful Kiribati children on a sunny beach. The user is smiling, arm around the kids, capturing the genuine joy of the moment. The background shows the golden sands, sparkling ocean waves, and a clear blue sky, emphasizing the happiness shared between the me and the local children in Tarawa.

Nauru

Speaking of Nauru, this island nation travel experience was by far the most unusual and most complicated. Having had to rush my experience out of Tuvalu to accomodate local government requirements with their visa, return flight, and booked accomodation. But despite that, the five days I spent there was the most rewarding, having connected with Nauruans, exploring caves, taking island drives, hunting noddy birds, and learning some of the language.

Marshall Islands

My final stop after Kiribati and prior to a life of five years in Hawaii was the Republic of the Marshall Islands. And with pennies left of a very tight shoestring budget, what I was able to do for travel was highly limited. Air air travel issues at the time with the local airline, I was even more limited to what I could do. But I still made do with low key immersion in nearby Arno atoll. Although the Marshalls experience was at a minimum, the language is what intrigued me the most, which is what may be the single cultural element that may bring me back to the islands, to go beyond where I couldn’t the first time.

Why This Trip Was So Vital

Pacific Islands 2018 was more than just a trip across Oceania from South to North, it was perseverence in replanning a voyage that was cut short due to an achilles tendon injury just a year prior. However, there is an even deeper realization about the bigger picture of my place in this side of the world.

2018 Oceania was a clean slate into a world I was meant to be a part of, that I was never ready for in the year of my injury. It prepared me to see what the true Pacific really was beyond the paradise it’s known for in images and social media. It was what guided me into Hawaiian culture that provided me a fresh new lens into the deeper layers of Oceania people, traditions, way of life, dance, mythology, and storytelling that I know have the attention to.

After 7 years, its officially three months until I set off for Oceania once again, this time more focused and rooted in the realization of what 2018 taught me, the priciple and values learned through hawaiians, and the time studying how I wish to capture all of this.

I’m ready!