Just briefly

  Liku, Niue
Sunday, October 28, 2007

The traditional Niuean mourning period is called an api and runs for ten nights following the death, during which time there is a lot of people and a lot of food coming through the house.  In this way it can sometimes feel like one big party.  Does that sound cold?  I dunno, I've been through a few of these and that's what it feels like.  The Sunday following the end of the api is the tukutapu where everyone goes to church and is, as with most things in Niue, followed by a big feed.  I tihnk this marks the end of the official mourning period but what do I know. 

The funeral was big and in true Niuean tradition we were late.  I find it quite funny that Falina was late for her own funeral, my mother on the other hand did not find it so amusing.  In fact, the only thing that was on time was the food.

Although it was the week of the api, a cousin that came with us had never been to Niue so we felt it was our duty to be tour guides.  We're good like that.




There is only one plane a week in and out of Niue so unless you are travelling by yacht or get hurt so bad they send a mercy flight, the least amount of time you can stay is seven days, which sucks if your boss will only give you three days off but good if he says just come back as soon as possible.

*sigh* and that's all i can be arsed writing about this trip.