Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete

This weekend the 33rd annual Kiki Raina Tahiti Fete was held at the Merced County Fairgrounds.  Dancers and drummers came from all over California, other states, and even other nations, to compete and celebrate Polynesian culture and dance.  Our friend was able to score us some 3-day passes from UC Merced Ohana (a campus group that promotes Hawaiian culture).  The dancers were amazingly talented and their costumes, which most made themselves, were incredible.  We enjoyed some island food and pina colada Hawaiian shave ice and did a little shopping - coconut shell jewelry and a new sarong for wearing by the pool. 

Unfortunately, given the fact that I only had my phone camera and did not want to block anyone's view of the dancers, my pictures don't do the event justice.  You'll have to come to Merced next March and experience it for yourselves. 

A teenage contestant wows the crowd.

The headdresses were amazing.

Delicious island wonton noodle soup.

Pina colada Hawaiian shave ice.

The group numbers were amazing.

Blossom Time

The fruit and nut trees are blossoming a little early this year due to the mild winter.  It is difficult to describe the extent to which Merced and the surrounding communities are filled with orchards in bloom.  There are pistachios, almonds, walnuts, plums, apricots, pluots, peaches, and more.  We took a short drive to see and smell the orchards and to walk through the falling almond blossoms.  The smell is almost sickeningly sweet and the falling, swirling petals reminded Sean of Japanese anime.  The most disconcerting thing is to stand still, listen, and both hear and feel the hum of bees.  They were too busy working to bother us, but we avoided their boxes nonetheless.  What a beautiful way to spend a Saturday afternoon in spring!