Sunday, October 19, 2014
Economy of Niue
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Niue
"The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue."
Again, very interesting article as I am here trying to figure out how the numbers work. How they can pay the food prices here, gasoline at $10/gallon, I've heard there's as many as 2 cars per person on this island, and I don't see much here in terms of economy. A little tourism, no substantial exports, no ATM and the bank can't even exchange money, etc. But then I read the above . . . "Selling postage stamps to foreign collectors." Ahhh, now it all makes sense!!!!!
Not to mention that of their $10 million budget each year, they receive $8.3 million in foreign aid. . . That and postage stamps just may do it . . .
"The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories to process passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue."
Again, very interesting article as I am here trying to figure out how the numbers work. How they can pay the food prices here, gasoline at $10/gallon, I've heard there's as many as 2 cars per person on this island, and I don't see much here in terms of economy. A little tourism, no substantial exports, no ATM and the bank can't even exchange money, etc. But then I read the above . . . "Selling postage stamps to foreign collectors." Ahhh, now it all makes sense!!!!!
Not to mention that of their $10 million budget each year, they receive $8.3 million in foreign aid. . . That and postage stamps just may do it . . .
Reading about Palmerston Island
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmerston_Island
What a fun read after visiting Palmerston!! Very accurate information from what I learned from the locals there.
"The Island's Council consists of six members, the three heads of each family and three other members appointed by each family.[5] The Mayor is Bob Marsters.[5]"
We had ice cream with Bob Marsters - what a fun loving and generous man! He was looking to replace a remote from a 10 year old TV. Too bad our universal remotes don't cover brands that old or we'd have given him ours and picked up another one.
What a fun read after visiting Palmerston!! Very accurate information from what I learned from the locals there.
"The Island's Council consists of six members, the three heads of each family and three other members appointed by each family.[5] The Mayor is Bob Marsters.[5]"
We had ice cream with Bob Marsters - what a fun loving and generous man! He was looking to replace a remote from a 10 year old TV. Too bad our universal remotes don't cover brands that old or we'd have given him ours and picked up another one.
Island Exploring - Niue
After "The Show" this afternoon we sent the kids back to the boat for "quiet time" naps and school and things and Courage and I headed out on the motorcycle. This is a gorgeous and awesome cliff/rock island!! We hiked to two caves, the first one you walk through coming out on the ocean where you can walk on the rock (not coral) reef and tide pools then drop into a large pool where you can snorkel into part of the cave. Then we went to a second cave that has massive stalactites and stalagmites, beautiful colorful mineral deposits, fossils of coral in the rocks and is open to the ocean on the far side (but not a swimming pool). Then we went to the Limu Pools where it's semi-shallow and calm, crystal clear water from all the limestone around. This is what they make resort pools to mimic with rocks all around, clear blue water, gentle waves, beach entry, etc. Then we went to the chasm, a large crack between two rocks that's filled with water. It's like a pool with huge rock walls on either side. From shore, you couldn't see to the ocean, but I think if you swim to the end of the pool, eventually you see it. We skipped walking to the arches, feeling like we ought to be getting home. We stopped at a gas station mini-mart type thing and she was selling watermelons from her home garden, small to medium size, but only $3 - $5!!! So we got a few and headed home!! What a wonderful tour!
The teens brought the kids to shore to play when they picked us up at the wharf, the teens went out exploring, the kids swam by the wharf for about an hour and played bubbles when on land, and Courage went home to "put on dinner" (aka quiet time).
We had a quick preview, definitely going back. They were out of rental cars on the island, probably due to NZ Army and Navy being here for the 40 years of Independence celebration. We think they are all leaving Monday, so hope to rent a car for a day or two and take the whole family spelunking and snorkeling early next week. They will LOVE it! Looks like geology will be on the homeschool agenda this week.
The teens brought the kids to shore to play when they picked us up at the wharf, the teens went out exploring, the kids swam by the wharf for about an hour and played bubbles when on land, and Courage went home to "put on dinner" (aka quiet time).
We had a quick preview, definitely going back. They were out of rental cars on the island, probably due to NZ Army and Navy being here for the 40 years of Independence celebration. We think they are all leaving Monday, so hope to rent a car for a day or two and take the whole family spelunking and snorkeling early next week. They will LOVE it! Looks like geology will be on the homeschool agenda this week.
Independence Day Show
This morning we went to "The Show" at the high school. It's very easy to hitch a ride with a local around here, which was great for moving the whole family across town.
The Show is put on monthly, but was special today in celebration of their 40 years of independence. There is New Zealand Army and Navy here in support of their "freedom" also. They had speeches and presentations, etc. There were booths with local foods, local arts and crafts, and a huge display of fresh fruit!!! I was able to get a whole stalk of bananas for $25. I have paid $3. for these in the past, but for the prices here, I was tickled!! But they were being judged, so you couldn't remove it from the stand until after the judges had passed through. They also had coconut crabs and pigs for sale. Everything was nicely displayed in woven palm leaf baskets, very nicely done! Then there was a presentation by the local children doing traditional dances in native attire which was very cute. One dancer was the boys' friend from the wharf raft race the day before, so they enjoyed that. We had to leave, but apparently we missed a javeline throw and a climbing event. They had 2 wooden poles greased up, one for girls and one for boys. Each one had an envelope with $100 in it on top for the first one to make it to the top. That would have been fun to see too.
We easily caught a ride back home. Courage took the stalk of bananas home on the motorcycle, I hitched a ride with the kids. As we carried the bananas out to the parking lot, a gecko climbed out of it. There were ants and earwigs on it too (which we DO NOT want on the boat). So we decided to keep the gecko too. He climbed onto my shoulder and we left him there. As I sat down in the van, he jumped off my shoulder and ran across the seat. Not wanting to alarm the elder couple that picked us up, I said nothing. Not wanting utter chaos in the car, I did not alert the children. So I casually looked around to see where he'd gone while continuing my conversation with the hosts. Then Integrity in the back seat said "Mom, there's the gecko." Intrepid and Innocence jump out of their seats and flip over to see the back row. I sit them right back down and tell Integrity to quietly and subtly get the lizard. Fortunately, the couple seemed oblivious to our excitement and we left the vehicle with as many living beings as we entered it with (we think).
The Show is put on monthly, but was special today in celebration of their 40 years of independence. There is New Zealand Army and Navy here in support of their "freedom" also. They had speeches and presentations, etc. There were booths with local foods, local arts and crafts, and a huge display of fresh fruit!!! I was able to get a whole stalk of bananas for $25. I have paid $3. for these in the past, but for the prices here, I was tickled!! But they were being judged, so you couldn't remove it from the stand until after the judges had passed through. They also had coconut crabs and pigs for sale. Everything was nicely displayed in woven palm leaf baskets, very nicely done! Then there was a presentation by the local children doing traditional dances in native attire which was very cute. One dancer was the boys' friend from the wharf raft race the day before, so they enjoyed that. We had to leave, but apparently we missed a javeline throw and a climbing event. They had 2 wooden poles greased up, one for girls and one for boys. Each one had an envelope with $100 in it on top for the first one to make it to the top. That would have been fun to see too.
We easily caught a ride back home. Courage took the stalk of bananas home on the motorcycle, I hitched a ride with the kids. As we carried the bananas out to the parking lot, a gecko climbed out of it. There were ants and earwigs on it too (which we DO NOT want on the boat). So we decided to keep the gecko too. He climbed onto my shoulder and we left him there. As I sat down in the van, he jumped off my shoulder and ran across the seat. Not wanting to alarm the elder couple that picked us up, I said nothing. Not wanting utter chaos in the car, I did not alert the children. So I casually looked around to see where he'd gone while continuing my conversation with the hosts. Then Integrity in the back seat said "Mom, there's the gecko." Intrepid and Innocence jump out of their seats and flip over to see the back row. I sit them right back down and tell Integrity to quietly and subtly get the lizard. Fortunately, the couple seemed oblivious to our excitement and we left the vehicle with as many living beings as we entered it with (we think).
Traditional Raft Racing
Yesterday morning we just went to shore to look for the razor I dropped while returning from my hot shower and to our surprise, there was a big gathering on the wharf. They were having a raft race with traditional rafts made of wood tied together with vines and some were "floated" by coconuts. Some nice work and designs, but most of them floated until you loaded 4 adults onto them, then many were about a foot under water. Was a fun and funny race to watch!!! The second heat was a "nontraditional rafts" race where the New Zealand women's team had plastic jugs floating them tied together with the wood and twine. They floated nicely even when loaded!! Then they served drinks and snacks. The kids thought it was great and it made for a full and fun morning.
Date Night on Niue
Date night yesterday in Niue was awesome!! Started with drinks watching a "circus act" by 6 hippies on the boat moored next door to us. Somehow they booked themselves at a nice hotel on the coast in exchange for a nice dinner and free drinks.
Then off to "The Ball" at the Golf Club. It was fun, live music, well attended, hors d'oevours (?), open bar, all for $20 per couple!! Full house. Courage and I won second place in the Waltz competition!! We won our $20 back!!! The first place went to an experienced couple with a flawless dance style for $100!! Wow for them!!!
Made for a fun night!!
Then off to "The Ball" at the Golf Club. It was fun, live music, well attended, hors d'oevours (?), open bar, all for $20 per couple!! Full house. Courage and I won second place in the Waltz competition!! We won our $20 back!!! The first place went to an experienced couple with a flawless dance style for $100!! Wow for them!!!
Made for a fun night!!
Saturday, October 18, 2014
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