Final Festival contest & Parade

Today was the final day of the Tapati Festival -- the last day for the 2 ladies competing to win the title of 'queen' to accumulate points. At the end of the day, it seems this is a popularity contest.
We started by walking along the floats in queue for the parade. Those were fun. Then we wandered into the final points-earning opportunity: the body painting.
Oh dear ... this almost defied description.
Anyone who wants to participate is eligible; you just show up (in minimal attire) at the 'prep site' of the queen you want to support (we were at a site supporting a young lady named Heilanie; the other site a few blocks away was for Heremeta), hop into a mud-tub of your color preference, and then get painted with various local symbols. Really ... who wouldn't find this fun? Hmm.
We decided our fun was more on the voyeuristic side: watching the active, excited participation of locals & non-locals alike. It almost made you want to toss aside a few clothes and participate.
Almost.
It certainly was entertaining to watch!Read more