South Pacific Travel
Not A World Away: How To Celebrate Asian American…
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Many moons ago, as a young child, I had the honor and privilege of living in the South Pacific. As with most elementary school age children, we had an international day at school. However, on Kwajalein, we learned Polynesian culture on this day. We swayed in the beauty of their dances, snacked on authentic cuisine and were taught by local artisans how to weave baskets and mats. To this day I can still whip a serving platter together out of palm leaves…….it might take a minute, but I could. Throughout the country this month, we celebrate the heritage, contributions, extraordinary histories and rich cultures of our fellow Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Below I put together some fun things to do to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Get the girls together for a cooking class of island cuisine, sway in a hammock lost in a book from their rich histories, make a Tahitian Pearl trinket, or…….if you’re really feeling adventurous, jump on a last minute flight & visit the iconic islands of the South Pacific.
Grab That Perfect Book & Read The Histories of Asia & The South Pacific
Before jumping in that hammock, click on the books below. Learn all about the perfect reads and choose which one interests you most
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Prepare Authentic Cuisine From Asia and The South Pacific
Here are a few ideas. Get a group together. Have a Luau, or make everyone bring one of these dishes from a different island:
From Samoa
Learn how to make Koko alaisa. This is a chocolate like rice pudding made with cocoa
From Tonga
Learn how to make Otai. This is a refreshing fruit drink. It’s a blend of water, shredded coconut meat, coconut milk and a variety of grated tropical fruit such as watermelon, mango, and pineapple. Add sugar to taste. This summer beverage is best served cold.
Learn how to make Lu. This is for special occassions and is their main household dish on Sundays. Consisting of chopped meat mixed with coconut milk and onions wrapped in taro leaves that are then wrapped in banana leaves or foil and put in a traditional underground oven known as an Umu to cook. You can make several different varieties of Lu. Lu pulu is made with beef, Lu sipi is made with lamb & Lu moa is made with chicken.
From Fiji
Learn to make Vakalolo. This is a grated cassava, covered with caramel sauce then mixed with coconut cream and freshly grated coconuts.
From Hawaii
Create your own Hawaiian Luau & sway with the hula girls to the Ipu Heke drums that accompany the dance. Click on the picture below to purchase the book on how to play the Ipu Heke.
Create the Magic Like Local Artisans
From Tonga
Learn to make the traditional Tongan gifts, handmade mats and tapa in the Tongan style. Every Tongan is born, marries, or dies presented with these mats and/or tapa cloths as a gift.Click on the picture below to purchase your own Tongan Tapa Cloth.
From Niue
Create their beautiful traditional leaf headpiece known as the Lauti foufou.
From Tahiti
Create a beautiful masterpiece with Tahitian Pearls. They make traditional costumes and jewelry with these. Click on the picture below to purchase your own Tahitian Pearls.
Sway To The Music Under The Stars With Their Traditional Dance
From Aotearoa
Learn the Maori dance and songs.
From Cook Island
Take some classes to learn how to get lost in the beat of the Cook Island drum the ‘Pate’
From Tuvalu
Teach yourself or take a class to learn the traditional Tuvaluan Fatele dance.
Book That Perfect Trip To Asia or The South Pacific
For special tours and experiences, jump on a last minute flight & experience the wonders of the Asian or Islands of the South Pacific cultures for yourself today!