EARTH BEAT:
As we head into the zodiac sign of Sagittarius, the crystals and stones of Topaz, Turquoise and Amethyst dominate.
Topaz: For directing energy where its needed most, soothing, healing, stimulating and recharging.
It allows you to focus on ‘being’ rather than just ‘doing’.
Turquoise: For its protection and powerful healing elements that promotes both spiritual awareness and well being for the physical body.
It strengthens, purifies and balances, bringing together both the female and male energies.
Amethyst: Also a very powerful protector and one of the most spiritual stones.
Promotes great love, spiritual wisdom and intuition, calming and stimulating where necessary.
(See ‘The Crystal Bible’ by Judy Hall for more in depth information.)

EARTH BEAT update:
Many of you will be aware that I have been promoting and selling crystals and stones set in sterling silver jewellery, handmade by Balinese Craftsmen for some years.
I tend to mainly import ‘one off ‘ pieces to provide women with a unique beautiful piece of jewellery.
I am currently developing a website for this under the ‘Earth Beat’ label.
This will work in co-operation with ‘The Road Less Travelled’ allowing you to purchase handmade wares from artisans I have met on my travels.
My aim is to promote indigenous handcrafts, celebrating their exquisites crafts and stories in the hope that amidst this very technical world, we will hold onto some of our precious ancient crafts and values before too many more become lost.
These crafts have stories interwoven into them and it makes us all part of the bigger picture towards a better world.
Aotearoa, both Maori and Pakeha will feature, as I search for what makes something an indigenous craft and why the story is so important.
Stories gives us a History and Herstory and develops connections at a deeper level many of us are now seeking.
If you are keen to view some jewellery pieces or wish to discuss Earth Beat further, I would love to hear from you.

Priscilla Queen of The Desert: 20-23 Nov 08.
If you are keen to come to this spectacular performance in Sydney, contact me asap please.
This trip is nos dependant.

Melbourne Wine and Food Fest; Approx 7 -15th March 09.
This will now include a wee excursion to the fabulous Margaret River area below Perth.
Currently working on itinerary and costings.

Bali : 15-30 May 09:
Overview available on website.
Limited spaces now available so if you keen, let me know, fill out booking form and send with deposit asap. to secure your place.

New Mexico: Sept 09.
This will be an insightful journey into the Sth West of the USA.

• Arts, Culture, Healing modalities and Redlands under the stars.
• An up close and personal journey with both the Navaho and Apache Nations.
• Explore the Grand Canyon, Experience workshops New Mex style.
• Cirque du Soliel in Las Vegas, Route 66, vibrant San Francisco as entry point into the USA.

The itinerary is currently being shaped and earlybird costings will be out as soon as all my info has been sourced and confirmed.

NZ Trips for 2009.

• WOW End Sept / Oct 09
• Nelson/ Central Otago/ Mt Cook/ EastCoast Nth Island/ High Country Tramp are all in the planning.
  2010.

I am currently checking out a trip to Iceland, Would any of you be keen ?

Good Morning to you all.
As our mornings begin to herald the new beginnings of Spring, I continue to be amazed at how wonderful new life is.Full of innocence and pure joy. It makes one feel so lucky to be able to share in those moments.
May your day be full of these magical ones.
Anah ))

Events:

• I will be at the “Womens Affair” in Timaru on Sept 14th ’08.
• ‘Wellness Tourism Symposium’, Nelson, Rutherford House, Sept 18 and 19th ’08
• ‘Life Synergy’, Queenstown Memorial Hall, Sat 20th Sept 08.

Below is an update of some of the wonderful times ahead you can share with The Road Less Travelled.

• Melbourne Food and Wine Festival:March ’09. Contact me for details.
• Bali: May ’09: See website for Itinerary. If you keen to see Bali, the 2009 trip will be an incredible opportunity to do so as it will be absent from the 2010 experiences.
• New Mexico and the Four Corners:Sept ’09 .Contact me for details.
• NZ Experiences: I am currently working on a number of NZ trips and these will be increased in frequency next year and even more in 2010.

From Las Vegas to the Canyonlands, the Grand Canyon to Taos and Sante Fe, this ‘Road Less Travelled’ will give you an insight into the redlands, its arts, healing modalities, culture and unbelieveable outdoors.Full details to be posted when confirmations occur.

7 days in the food and wine hub of the worlds most liveable city.Details to be posted soon.

Fully booked. Final payments required by August 1, 2008 with thanks.2009 will occur if dates do not clash with the New Mexico trip.

I have the opportunity to take 10 girls to this incredible show at the end of the year.If I have enough interest I will organise and then send out cost and details. I plan on 4 days probably in November.

If you keen please let me know asap.

Last day in Samoa with final cocktails with Auntie and Anita last night.

Anita and her Mum operate a small cocktail bar on the beach at Lalomanu with the best Pino Coladas around. They have such fantastic smiles with the best service and lived in Aussie for many years. We were often found at the cocktail bar watching the spectacular sunsets and checking out alpha and beta centauri, the pointers towards the Southern Cross.

Auntie and Anita also have 6 Fales as tourist accomodation and were the cleanest around with the best and cleanest toilet facilites, as all girls need a clean loo and shower! Fales provide basic accomodation but for me, with an immediate beach and reef view were absolutely aok.

Travel light and make sure you take a towel as none are provided. A hand sanitiser also a good move. As with developing countries around the world, drink only bottled water and use this to clean teeth.

If you are thinking about travelling to Samoa and want to check out Fale beach accommodation, Auntie and Anita’s new website:  www.samoabeachbungalows.ws  Tell them you know me from June’s wedding from NZ.

Thank you Auntie and Anita and the very best for your new website and fales. ))

4pm: The Sydney Cafe = the best cafe in Apia with the best lattes, smoothies and wholesome food. Fresh fruit and veges are often hard to find. But there are always the ever versatile coconut tree products, delicious finger bananas and fresh fish. I did not think there was a lot to shop for in Apia, however some of the wooden bowls ,fabrics and bags were just stunning. And thats exactly what I brought home.

It is great to visit the markets in Apia with everything from food, to handcrafts and to the stall owner always providing a cool flow of air with the very effective handmade fans.

Many flights home seem to travel during the late evening or early hours of the morning. At 1.45am Saturday 21 June ’08, Air New Zealand flight NZ861 departs Apia for Aotearoa.

Its so easy to stay on the beach, read, lie a bit in the sand, watch the waves ebb and flow and generally just chill, however a tiki tour around the isle is a must. A much greater appreciation of Samoa is gained.

The Robert Louis Stevenson home, Vailima, is incredible. Here, there is an acute sense of history and his colonial mansion has been restored and I personally think, a visit here is on top of the to do list!

Robert Louis only spent 4 yrs in Samoa and died with complications of TB. A disease he had as a child and the reason his parents moved to the tropical climes of the South Pacific.

His writing in those 4 yrs was prolific and he wrote approx 13 books during that time.In total, if I remember rightly, Robert Louis wrote over 40 books in his lifetime dying at the age of 44. The well known ones we know,”Kidnapped” and “Treasure Island’.

He was an advocate for Samoan autonomy and was revered amongst the Samoan people for his generosity and humility. His tomb is at the top of a mountain close to his home and has ‘The Requiem’ engraved on his stone. Sadly his children also died later, both creative artists in their own rights and the Robert Louis Stevenson line disappeared. ‘Vailima’ and its magnificent tropical gardens imbue a sense of calm,tranquility and history.

Samoa consists of two main islands Upolu, the most populated, (where I stayed) and Savaii, where you will find traditional tapa making and much less people. This art is dying out but a resurgence to teach the young is underway.

I am under cover in our Fale ( hut on the beach) just metres from the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean in tropical rain.

Today is wedding day and we have had a cyclone off shore, overnight so as we are practising a hula Samoan style dance with all the girls and the boys the haka hoping the rain will disappear this arvo in readiness for the bride to come ashore to conch shells on her waka by the local boys.

The dining room is beautifully decorated with tropical plants in vibrant colours and shapes. Its going to be such a wonderful experience for all.

And it was just beautiful!!!!!