Easter Island

How do you keep yourself entertained when you are on an island over 2000 miles from anyone else? Well, the people who settled on Rapa Nui, or Easter Island around the year 1050 liked stone carving in a big way. They created nearly 900 giant stone statues that have been found in different locations around the island. These gigantic figures–known as moai–were carved out of tuff (the light, holey rock which is compressed volcanic ash) and put on top of ceremonial stone platforms called ahus. The biggest statue is about 32 feet tall, and consists of a single block weighing about 82 tons. The rest of the statues average 13 feet high, with a weight of 13 tons. The stone carvers were creative in making the most out of sections of rock. Moai can be seen carved in all directions in the island’s cliffs. If a defect would appear in the rock the statue would be abandoned and they moved on to another area. They took advantage of cracks in the volcanic walls and also variations in colors to create their statues. No records are left to explain why these statues were carved, or how they were moved around the island, though some think trees were cut down and used as rollers. I wish I could go back in time to find out – those are big statues! Purrs, Gulliver

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Hula Dancing

I went to Hawai’i this past summer and learned how to do a Hula Dance. Can you imagine a cat dancing? The Hula is unique to the Hawai’ian Islands, though it was created by the Polynesian people who first settled the islands. The modern form of the dance uses the body, hand and foot motions as well as singing or chanting to tell a story. It is not as easy as a talented dancer makes it appear. I kept losing my place and forgetting which hand motion to use next, which had the teachers giggling at my attempts. They were nice about it though, and very patient teachers. Purrs, Gulliver

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Bicycling is not for sissies!

I wish I could ride a bicycle, but my paws won’t reach the pedals! There are many bicycle races all over the world. The Tour de France is one of the most famous bicycle races in the world. The race is 21 days of riding bicycles on both flat ground and up and down mountains. Other countries have similar races. Though not in a race, some people have bicycled almost all the way around the world. One young American wore out seven sets of tires while he pedaled 25,000 miles through Europe, Asia and the United States over two years. What a neat trip! Purrs, Gulliver

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Polar Bear

Need a little cat nap? How about a polar bear nap? Polar bears can nap just about anywhere and anytime, and especially after a meal. You can find polar bears near the North Pole, but never near the South Pole – that is penguin country. The fur on a polar bear is not white, but translucent, or clear. It reflects the white from the snow and helps them blend in so their prey don’t see them. Polar Bears are very curious animals. You can’t outrun a polar bear – they can run up to 40 miles per hour. So be smart and confuse the bear. Take a piece of clothing off, put it on the ground, and move away. While the bear is exploring that clothing, take off another. Spread out the distance between you and the bear, and leave enough clothes to keep the bear busy, even if it means you have to give up all your clothes. Then run for safety! Purrs, Gulliver

Up, Up and Away!

Up, up and away! I went to the Albuquerque, New Mexico balloon festival and to ride in a balloon! Not the kind you buy at the store, but a giant kind that can hold 4-6 people in the basket. The balloon part is called an envelope, and the basket beneath it is called a gondola. Hot air fills the envelope, and before long we were drifting through the quiet air, looking at the people and scenery below. Most balloons launch in the early morning, when there is little wind so landing is not as bumpy. A chase crew follows the balloon and picks up the people and equipment when the balloon lands. After my ride, there was a balloon fiesta where 600 balloons went sailing through the air at the same time, creating a rainbow of colors in the blue sky. Purrs, Gulliver

Happy Birthday, Po!

“My wish is for you grow up to be healthy and happy!” I purred when I saw the baby. Po’s mom told me he is two years old in China even though this would be his first birthday in the United States. I enjoyed the longevity noodle your parents served! It was a looong noodle, enough to fill up the whole bowl, and I tried my best to eat it all without breaking the noodle, to ensure you would have a long life! The zhuā zhōu tradition interested me. Your parents put out different objects – a coin to represent wealth, a doll for many children, a pen, a stamp, an abacus, a flute and some other things which represented different careers. The tradition holds that the first item you choose represents your future. I guess we will have to wait a few years to find out if the prophecy comes true. Purrs, Gulliver

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