They sailed from the Auckland Harbor on April 19 and arrived in San Francisco on August 2nd. And we just happened to see them sail under the Golden Gate bridge - thank you, Maree and Kate!
The canoes were housed at Treasure Island, and an open house was held on Saturday to greet them. On Sunday they were having an "official" sail through the Golden Gate, but, we saw the real thing!
We went to Treasure Island on Saturday, August 6, and saw the New Zealand canoe, up close. They are incredibly small, and I can't imagine being on the open sea, with just two canoes and a platform under me! There were 27 crew members on this small space!
Here's the website if you would like to learn more about this incredible voyage:
http://www.pacificvoyagers.org/
The NZ canoe was giving free rides to anyone who wanted one, but the line was very long, so we didn't take advantage of it.
It was great to see all of the people who came out to welcome and support the crews, and there were many performances from local Polynesian groups.
And, a bonus - it was sunny and warm!
The wakas (canoes) sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge
The New Zealand waka in the background, full of people having a ride, and a smaller canoe, also giving rides
The Te Matau a Maui - New Zealand
Picking up another load of passengers - you would think that the crew would be tired of that canoe by now!
A group of kids doing a traditional Samoan dance
More Samoan dancers
A couple of crew members from one of the canoes performed as well - I guess that they had lots of time to practice!
What an amazing event! We are so pleased that we were able to see these canoes and learn about their incredible journey. They will return home in 2012 - maybe we'll be able to see them sail back out under the Golden Gate.
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