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Let’s have Samoa sports war dances

29th September 202329th September 2023 funtime65

Haka do, do, do, and while the New Zealand haka is always a highlight of the Rugby World Cup we say let’s have Samoa sports war dances.

And not just because our friends from the Samoa Tourist Board have kept us up to speed on the back of the ANTOR tourist board awards this week.

Which modesty forbids me saying I was nominated in.

But because the world has been fixed on the other war dances at the RWC in France.

Rock and Samoa roll

The Samoan stomp is, of course, no haka, it’s a Manu Siva Tau.

But then if you’re a Dwayne Johnson fan you’ll know that already from his films.

When The Rock performed a war dance in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, the set of which you’ll see at Warner Bros in LA.

No, this is the Manu Siva Tau which rugby fans will remember was first showcased at the 1991 World Cup.

To replace the Ma’ulu’ulu Moa, which was a slower dance and said to be less intimidating than the Samoan call to arms.

Now these war dances naturally come across more impressively in their own language.

But they all have familiar themes… ‘Ready for the war’ and ‘make way and move aside.’

Beautiful Samoa

Now as a way of introduction to the South Seas the rugby teams and their war dances are a distinctive calling card.

The Beautiful Samoa website does the rest panning across the islands for you with a range of enticing sale deals.

Their flights and accommodation packages run out on October 2 so if you’ve been holding off on your long haul…

Then chew over the sample Coconuts Beach Club Resort and Spa from five nights $2,599pp.

Coconuts Beach boasts panoramic views out over a turquoise lagoon.

And there are activities galore on offer such as village and island tours.

And scuba diving, surfing, snorkelling and kayaking and beaches of course.

The deal includes return flights flying Air New Zealand from Auckland to Apia.

While we can tease you with a five-nighter from Auckland in a tree-house suite.

From $2959 per adult share twin, extra night from $349 each. To travel on November 8.

Fiji and me

Now we don’t always have to head out to the South Seas although we most certainly would.

And we got a taste first hand when the Fijians came out to Dublin a couple of years back.

And they got Dancing Dad up to embarrass himself.

Now it wasn’t a Cibi, the war cry they have been demonstrating since way back in 1939, but my moves were frightening enough.

For those of you who want to impress your friends when they begin the Cibi there’s a lot in there about uplfiting trees.

Do, do, do the Tonga

A lot more imposing than the Med party dance, the Conga, this Tonga war dance is the most recent of all.

But it comes by royal assent, penned by King Tama Tu’i Taufa’ahau Tupou IV in 1994.

To commemorate a successful tour of New Zealand that year.

The Tongans are big into their Sea Eagles (who knew?) and famished unfurl they warn ‘the foreigner and sojourner beware’.

Haka can

Of course no summation of the war dances you’ve been seeing at the RWC would be complete without the Haka.

And none of us knew then back in the day when we went to our first Scotland v New Zealand game at Murrayfield what it meant.

Although it didn’t put off the bould Timmy from running onto the pitch to do it with the mighty All Blacks and get ejected.

The ‘Ka Mate’ dates back even before the game to the 1820s.

When it was performed by the rangatira, or chief, and now by a muscley rugby player.

The story goes that Tama-nui-te-ra, the sun god, and Mrs Sun God Hine-Raumati who embodies summer had a son, or sun, called Tane-rore.

And he would dance for his mum and caused the air to quiver, the movement that is said to form the haka.

We assume he is the ‘hairy man’ of the Ka Mate who ‘summons the sun and makes it shine.’

Now with the Samoans drawing their latest World Cup adventure to a close against England we’ll enjoy the Manu Suva Tau for the last time.

Until of course the next time so we can say let’s have Samoa sports war dances.

America, Countries

Holy Hollywood Batman

23rd April 202323rd April 2023 funtime65

Holy Hollywood Batman, shine the Bat Signal on that sign… there’s something happening this year.

Well, a lot actually, as Hollywood marks 100 years of its iconic sign.

Our friends from LA, who clearly hang with the Caped Crusader, have brought us up to date with the celebrations.

And pointed us in the direction of Batman’s Cave which Batfans will tell you he carved out in Batman Begins.

And which LA tells us is one of the best vistas to see the Hollywood sign.

It’s a sign

Now those of you who follow my meanderings, you loyal Bandanini and Bandanettes, will already know how close I got to the sign.

From my Starline Tours bus on my Weekend with Marilyn.

Missing out on our party’s hike up to the Griffith Observatory because of a 24-hour bug.

But availing of the hospitality of the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood and binge watching Golden Girls.

Star status

Bandanaman… The star and the duck in Hollywood

Starline have the inside story on Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach and it’s all light.

With their mantra ‘Starline doesn’t do politics’.

They do do one-hour Hollywood Sign tour, with views of Lake Hollywood.

The vista of Downtown LA and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.

Walking or bussing it aren’t the only way of getting within sight of the Hollywood sign, of course.

Get there how you can

With Bikes and Hikes doing what they say on the tin.

And Sunset Ranch Hollywood offer guided horseback riding tours with spectacular views of the Sign day and night.

While if you want to go all action you can always take a helicopter over the hills.

The Group 3 Aviation will see you flying out of Van Nuys Airport on a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour.

While Orbic Air takes to the skies from Hollywood Burbsnk Airport on a ten-minute tour.

And that includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.

Bat crazy

And, of course, if you want to see Batman himself and join in his adventures then you’re only a stone’s throw away.

From Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.

Where every September 17 they hold an annual Batman Day.

And who knows you could even mock yourself up in a scene.

With a Hollywood sign background and a bubble quote: Holy Hollywood Batman.

CalAerfornia Dreamin’

Of course you need to know how best to get there and where to stay.

And we always recommend availing of Aer Lingus’s pre-clearance through Dublin.

We’re advised too of the best hotels to stay at from which to get the money shots of the Hollywood Sign.

And often the best place to start is at boutique hotel specialists Kimpton.

Hotel signs

The Kimpton Everly Hotel: Right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour the Everly offers views from the rooftop and select guest rooms.

Thompson Hollywood: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer impressive vistas.

Loews Hollywood: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces offer the best observations.

W Hollywood: On Hollywood Boulevard, W Hollywood offers expansive vistas from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.

America, Countries

Hundred years of Hollywood sign

13th January 2023 funtime65

There are a million stories of those who went searching for fame in Tinsel Town guided by a hundred years of that Hollywood sign.

Since LA publisher Harry Chandler put it up as a billboard.

For his property development Hollywoodland.

The great and the good and the not so good have all played their part.

In the life of the sign over the last 100 years.

Hefner’s Hollywood

With Hugh Hefner in particular getting his mucky fingerprints on it.

Hefner it was who stumped up his ill-gotten money to save the sign at least twice.

While celebrities of the time including Angels baseball team Gene Autrey ‘The Singing Cowboy’, Andy Williams and Alice Cooper stumped up.

To own individual letters.

Hefner’s hold over Playboy is of course a thing of the past.

As you can see in the excellent Secrets of the Playboy Mansion.

But his hold over Marilyn Monroe, his first and unwilling cover girl is permanent to this day.

At the Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angeles where he bought his funeral lot next to hers.

So they could be with each other for eternity.

My LA story

Such tales I lapped up, of course, in my LA story when I sought out fame and fun there.

But alas the Hollywood sign remained out of reach.

When my random act of kindness rebounded on me on the plane over.

When I took a sick bag from the passenger next to me.

And inhaled whatever virus she had and was later struck down with a 24-hour bug.

All of which meant I missed out on the hike up to the Griffith Observatory.

Where you’ll get a great view to the sign.

And the Warner Bros studios.

Hey ho, I did get to see Marilyn up on the Walk of Fame.

On walls up at Venice Beach and in her final resting place.

And I’ll hopefully be back to retrace my steps, and maybe too with my own blonde bombshell.

Hooray for the Hundred

In the meantime I’ll share all the hoopla over the year right up to the December centenary.

All to mark a hundred years of that Hollywood sign.

America, Caribbean, Countries, Europe

International Women

8th March 20228th March 2022 funtime65

International Women don’t you just love ’em? I even married one.

On today’s International Women’s Day a shout-out then to some of the international women who took me under their wing.

Of course, the international woman of mystery whose oxter always gives me shade is my own English rose.

Boss woman: Mum’s the word, and Sadie too

And there are many more women from our nearest neighbours in Travel who have guided me on my path than I have room here to mention.

Now if anything underscores this year’s message on International Women’s Day #BeattheBias it is the success of those who occupy the biggest positions in our trade.

And so ladies take a bow, I would be nothing without you… you are all worthy Bandanettes.

White knight

Power women: Bandanaman, Jo, Cathy and United Airlines’ Aoife

Organising my life is hard enough left to just one man which is why I leave that job to my aforementioned English rose.

But when you’re on your travels to the good old Oo Es of Eh you really do need someone on the ground.

And that someone is Jo White who heads up the UK & Ireland media delegation for the American Travel Fair.

I know I speak for all of us indulged travellers who have sought her out to help with dodgy dongles, accommodation and transfers.

And who have danced the night away to the best music acts put on by her American counterpart and fellow superstar Cathy Keefe Reynolds.

In return, all they ask is to promote America (you’re welcome) and in particular Washington DC, the Capital Region, Kissimmee, Florida, Oregon and Yukon chief among them.

Bates’ Hotel

Now hosts have a right, nay an obligation, to enjoy the activities they put on for us.

And after Attraction Tickets’ Kate Bates had asked me for recommendations for our party to take on in Hollywood she’d have expected me to take part.

Alas, the generosity of a stranger (moi) to take a passenger’s ski bag meant I was out of commission.

For the day Kate, Jon, Helen and Heather trekked up to see the Hollywood sign, check out Warner Studios and go on a boat trip.

I did have more to write about my West Hollywood hotel though that day.

And I did bounce back to see old friends at Universal Studios the next day.

Ms Carter

I love a strong woman, probably as I’m begotten of an Irish Mammy.

And in the Caribbean they don’t come much stronger than Cheryl Carter, Barbados’s Head of Global Markets.

One raised eyebrow will quickly remind you that there will be no going AWOL on her trip.

And so I was left in no doubt when I asked early leave from our dinner to hook up with my half-Scots/half-Trinidadian pal Jevan for Foreday Morning of my obligations.

To be ready for the next day’s activities.

Now what happens at Foreday Morning stays on Foreday Morning.

But when I turned up for our meeting with my leg gashed open I gritted my teeth… the rum through the day helped.

Cheryl is a Bajan through and through, firm, with a heart of gold and I was glad to be her patsy when the Bajans and Scots Travel trade met last year in Edinburgh.

Marsha law

Keep an eye on you: With SLM and Marsha in Tobago

If we’re honest no man likes to take orders (advice) from womenfolk.

But when that woman is the larger than life Marsha Patrick, of the Tobago Tourist board then you’re better just giving in to her.

And so when Marsha quizzed our little group on what occupied us outside work she found a real patsy in your Bandanaman.

Of course it was always going to be tough to follow proud Middlesbrough man and local football club archivist Anthony who only built his own house.

Marsha was less than impressed by my poetry prowess or goat racing ability.

‘Jim, you got no skills,’ she bellowed in her thick Tobagonian patois, rocking the mini-coach with her laughter.

A whole lotta Rosie

One of the best qualities of women is how forgiving they can be.

And Rosie Barcroft has certainly led the way there after I almost brought the roof down in Switzerland.

Waking late, I’d taken a quick shower before hooking up with a by now impatient park for our trek through the Alps.

Trouble was ahead though when I got back to the hotel.

And I was greeted by a stern hotel owner who informed me that the water had seeped into the breakfast room.

Whether I’d be welcome back in that Interlaken hotel is another question but miraculously the Swiss still come calling.

And even when one wonderful ambassador departs (Sara Roloff for Japan) another old pal Vive La Fran Lambert decamps from Normandy.

Most importantly Rosie is still on side and we’ll be skiing in Val d’Isere later this month.

I’ll be showering outside this time.

Of course, all international women should be celebrated, and not least Daddy’s Little Girl.

And I’m happy to do so.. here’s to you International Women.

America, Countries, Europe, Ireland, Sport, UK

Touchdown LA

12th February 202212th February 2022 funtime65

The eyes of the world will be on the Super Bowl tomorrow so let’s play a little game of stadium spotting… and Touchdown LA.

The magnificent SoFi Stadium is led-lighted up like a Christmas Tree so the world can see it from the air.

And while we, of course, always look out of our windows for iconic landmarks, us sporty types also target sports stadiums.

LA is my Playday

Los Angeles: Now the first thing that we look out for when we fly into the City of Angels is the Hollywood sign.

Alas it is not so easily spotted up there in the hills meaning SoFi monopolises your view.

You can, of course, rectify that with a 8.8km walking trip up to the Griffith Observatory.

As long as you didn’t sit yourself down next to a passenger who was sick into her bag, gave it to you and passed on a 24-hour bug.

London calling

London: With 22 football grounds in the English capital you’d think you’d have a choice of viewing from the air.

You can see a good bunch of them, Wembley, the Emirates, the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Stamford Bridge and the Thameside Craven Cottage.

More surprising is the ground outside of the capital in Watford.

And its red and yellow seats… very Harry Potter which is pertinent seeing you can visit Harry’s world there.

As the Hertfordshire town houses the Warner Bros. Studio London.

The other is in LA… and yes, I missed that too because of that passenger’s virus although I will be back, and obvs with Attraction Tickets Direct.

In Dublin’s air city

Dublin: And, of course, Irish sports fans will be converged in Paris today for le rugby et Les Bleus v Les Vertes.

For those of us who visit the Irish capital, or were lucky enough to live there for 13 years you’ll see their marvellous Aviva Stadium.

Which I will again tomorrow… and my heart is leaping.

The Cruyff turn Amsterdam

Bird’s eye view: How Cruyff changed football

Amsterdam: And this is really what they should call the pilot’s move as he flies into Schiphol Airport in Clog City.

The Ajax stadium is named after the Netherlands greatest-ever player after which this move was named.

The late Cruyff was iconic in his white and single red stripe Ajax top and Oranje national shirts.

And if you can board a bouncing train with the Oranje Army down to Rotterdam where Cruyff played latterly then all the better.

The Camp Flew

Barcelona: Cruyff is as big a hero in Barcelona as Amsterdam.

After reviving them as a player with his total football.

And as the architect of Barca’s Tiki-Taka football, taken to new heights in the Catalans Messi-inspired teams of the Noughties and Tweens.

I first saw Barcelona from the cabin of a cruise ship (as you do).

So I saw the city from the air in a helicopter.

I expressed my wonderment to the pilot about the stadium below.

Only for him to tell me that that was the Reserve Team’s ground and that the Camp Nou was coming up.

So if you’re flying into the City of Angels for the Super Bowl.

Or plan to visit in the future look out for the SoFi stadium… because it’s Touchdown LA.