We all had a good time at the Tropical Island night on Monday. It was great to see everyone getting into the spirit by dressing appropriately and enjoying the relaxed Island atmosphere! Special thanks to Ann for putting together the programme of appropriately themed dances and also for the entertaining ditties between dances.

Thanks also to the committee for decorating the hall, and to Ariadne for the amazing palm trees! Last but not least, thanks to all club members for providing supper and turning up and having a great time. We also enjoyed the company of some visitors from other clubs.

Photos of the evening have been uploaded to the gallery

Here are some of the ditties that Ann entertained us with between the dances. Can you work out which dance each ditty refers to?

The Flying Kiwi
To escape to the tropics A Kiwi might try
To grow bigger wings and take to the sky
But given his nature; his weight and his girth.
He knows very well he would fall to the earth.
So accepting his chances are really quite slim
He’ll book Air NZ to cater for him.

Fiji Fancy
Our Kiwi is looking up places on line
Where should he go to soak up sunshine?
To Raro or Tonga, Samoa, or Niue
I’ve heard Tokelau is really quite nice aye?
Oh, where should I go? Should I ask my friend Nancy?
No. I know where to go, it’s Fiji I fancy!

Bula Jig
In Fiji he’s landed and felt the warm heat
Of sunshine and tarmac right under his feet.
A taxi he hails, to help on the way
A lovely resort at the Warwick he’ll stay
He is welcomed by Bula and brown friendly faces
This must be one of the very best places.

Pelorus Jack
The next day out fishing we’re eager to catch
Some tuna or mackerel before we head back
Our skipper he takes us to just the right spot
But golly the sun is really quite hot!
The Aussie beside me is pointing; “hey look
To the left, that’s a big one I’ll just drop my hook”
But just wait a minute, don’t cast out that bait.
That’s no fish you ninny. It’s Pelorus me mate.

Beach Dancer
At the Warwick by the sea
We’ve got sunlight on the sand
We’ve got Kayaks and the SUP boards
And there’s cold drinks close at hand.
We’ve got palm trees and a hammock
And sand between the toes
what should we do, to dance or doze?

Tropical Cocktails
At the end of the day there is nothing quite like
a cocktail to take you into the night
The ukuleles are strumming the rhythm is slow
A cold drink beside you while watching the show.
Margarita, Mojito, Bay Breeze or fizz
Don’t let your partner get into a tizz.

Island Chief
A day out to the village, to an island we go
We’re met by some ladies, their wares for to show
We look at their tables on which goods are laid
Tapa and bracelets and things they have made

After making our purchases and strolling around
We rest in the shade, on a mat on the ground.
We notice some chiefs in a Bure drinking Kava.
I’m pretty sure one is Frank Bainimarama

Returning Home
The holiday over we must say good bye
Homeward and work-ward like good kiwis we fly
But there’s much backward glances and sighs of dismay
Oh how we wish we had money to stay
While crossing the tarmac and boarding the plane
We prick up our ears to a familiar refrain
Air New Zealand welcomes us back with a Haka
While the last sounds behind us are Bula Vinaka