It’s a family tradition that my mother’s mother, Marie (or Marnie to me), 
spends her birthday on an island paradise. However, Samoa is not usually on the itinerary. This year though, for her 84th birthday, Marnie did it. For five days, she accompanied my mum, Jill, for an adventure on a new island paradise.
As assistant chaperone to Isabel on the flight over, Marnie gushed with positivity and optimism for this novel experience. And why not? She got to celebrate her birthday, 22nd January 2010, twice!
Despite the late night and beyond the creature-comforts of Aggie Greys Hotel, she joined us for an evening on Salamumu Beach at Samoana ‘Resort’. The relatively basic accommodation and rock hard pawpaw at breakfast did not dim her excitement, and while she decided not to brave the hammocks for fear of involuntary entrapment, she was thoroughly enthusiastic about this slightly more authentic Samoan experience.
We cut our beachside getaway short to head back to Apia so I
could play in an Australia day cricket match against a Samoan team. Despite being billed as one of Samoa’s best batsmen, I fell short of all expectations by getting out first ball! Since we’d agreed to give grace to those out first ball, I was given a second chance. I promptly got out second ball as well!! To a guy in his 60s…Yet, Marnie was still complimentary.
Church on Sunday was followed by a driving tour of the tsunami-affected areas, in the rain. Jill and Marnie planned to piece together bits of our family history, prompted again undoubtedly by their visit to the Robert Louis Stephenson museum the following day. His writings and influence are certainly an inspiration.
The wild, windy and wet weather kept me busy at work, but I finished the evening sick in bed. Four days travelling with my 84-year-old grandmother and I was the one flat on my back...! Maybe she’s still got a few things to teach me… Oh, to have a similar exuberance at her age… Fortunately, my Samoan life (and my wife) received her nod of approval.
Next year though, it’ll be back to Marnie’s original island paradise, Lord Howe Island. Come 22nd January 2011, I can only imagine the compliments that are to gush forth…
spends her birthday on an island paradise. However, Samoa is not usually on the itinerary. This year though, for her 84th birthday, Marnie did it. For five days, she accompanied my mum, Jill, for an adventure on a new island paradise.As assistant chaperone to Isabel on the flight over, Marnie gushed with positivity and optimism for this novel experience. And why not? She got to celebrate her birthday, 22nd January 2010, twice!
Despite the late night and beyond the creature-comforts of Aggie Greys Hotel, she joined us for an evening on Salamumu Beach at Samoana ‘Resort’. The relatively basic accommodation and rock hard pawpaw at breakfast did not dim her excitement, and while she decided not to brave the hammocks for fear of involuntary entrapment, she was thoroughly enthusiastic about this slightly more authentic Samoan experience.
We cut our beachside getaway short to head back to Apia so I
could play in an Australia day cricket match against a Samoan team. Despite being billed as one of Samoa’s best batsmen, I fell short of all expectations by getting out first ball! Since we’d agreed to give grace to those out first ball, I was given a second chance. I promptly got out second ball as well!! To a guy in his 60s…Yet, Marnie was still complimentary.Church on Sunday was followed by a driving tour of the tsunami-affected areas, in the rain. Jill and Marnie planned to piece together bits of our family history, prompted again undoubtedly by their visit to the Robert Louis Stephenson museum the following day. His writings and influence are certainly an inspiration.
The wild, windy and wet weather kept me busy at work, but I finished the evening sick in bed. Four days travelling with my 84-year-old grandmother and I was the one flat on my back...! Maybe she’s still got a few things to teach me… Oh, to have a similar exuberance at her age… Fortunately, my Samoan life (and my wife) received her nod of approval.Next year though, it’ll be back to Marnie’s original island paradise, Lord Howe Island. Come 22nd January 2011, I can only imagine the compliments that are to gush forth…
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