Fa'afetai Lava, Samoa; Talofa Jeri

At Taumeasina Resort in Apia the hotel staff were preparing for the Via Dolorosa, the 13 stations of the cross, in honor of Easter.  

Just before we had to leave for the airport the Via Dolorosa procession began. We captured a bit of it on video.

On our way to the airport in Upolu to go to American Samoa we came across a fellow making a basket. He was kind enough to allow Shirley to video him while he weaved.

 

When we arrived in American Samoa Tigi Mata'ali'i picked us up at the airport and took us to our hotel in Pago Pago. They were very kind and treated us much better than we deserved. Our Director of Public Affairs, Kalili Hunt, was out of the country but had made arrangements for us to be treated royally. 

Sala (on left) and Tigi

Jim captured this beautiful scenery early one morning from our hotel room.

On April 1 (Easter) the Apia Samoa Central Stake watched a one-hour portion of the Messiah performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square. The building was almost full to capacity, many of them members of the stake choir.  Wonderful to participate in this event.

The stake choir sang along during the Hallelujah Chorus. Samoans love to sing and the volume of this choir evidenced their enthusiasm.

Getting on board to go back to New Zealand. It was very sad to think that this is likely the last time we will see the friends we have made in Samoa and the beauty of the country.

With our friend Jeri Maughan, we visited the Auckland War Museum. Jim had to take a close look at the Spitfire on display there. He said that, next to the P-51 Mustang, the Spitfire was the best plane in the skies during World War II.

It is a long (45 minute) walk to Cathedral Cove, but it is worth it! Certainly one of the most beautiful places we have been in New Zealand.

Hot Water Beach is about a 10 minute drive from Hahei (the town where we stayed while visiting the Coromandel peninsula). It is so amazing to see so many people digging holes to create their own spas. Lots of fun!

One of our favorite beaches (Muriwai). It is on the west coast, so the Tasman Sea is behind us. The waves on the Tasman are much bigger than the waves on the Pacific side of the island. Muriwai is a black sand beach and, with the steep cliffs between the beach and the adjoining land, it is one of the most majestic places we have seen.

A beach artist drew a toe rope around the rock on the beach making it appear that the rock was going to be pulled out to sea. A lot of work that just a few hours later would be gone.

Jim ordered porridge at one of our favorite restaurants, Hunny.

Celebrating Jeri's and Shirley's birthdays, both in April and just nine days apart.

Dinner at the revolving restaurant atop the Sky Tower.

One day we went to the Hamilton New Zealand Temple. Jeri had been there 25 years ago and we all thought it would be a good idea for her to return. On July 22, the temple will close for three years for seismic upgrading and remodeling. We hear that, because the temple is on New Zealand's registry of national places, the exterior will not be modified during the remodeling.

We flew down to Wellington for a day. We went to the Te Papa museum and saw the amazing Gallipoli exhibit about New Zealand's disappointing battle against the Turks in World War I. War is such a horrible thing.

Took the trolley for a scenic view of the city

We took an 11 hour train ride back from Wellington to Auckland. A very unique and relaxing experience.  Played games most of the way.

The day Jeri left to return to Utah we took her to a favourite place of ours,the Chocolate Boutique in Parnell, for an Italian Denso hot chocolate. Jim asked for the recipe but was told it was the owner's secret. It seemed a lot like melted dark chocolate. So good and so rich! We'll be back.

Nervous about flying by herself (she's so brave!), Jeri was eager to get on with her journey home. Thanks for coming to see us, Jeri. We loved having you here and will see you again soon.

On Monday, April 16, we were given an assignment to do a story for Newsroom Pacific on the 60th anniversary of the Hamilton Temple Dedication. We spent part of Monday and all day Tuesday deciding how to approach the story and coordinating with the people with whom we needed to meet.

Wednesday we traveled to Hamilton to interview Waitohi Elkington to get some early photos from the Church History archive there. Fourteen months ago who would have thought we could put together a major story like this in just three days? Not us! Watch it here.