I attended the first official event of the Festival of Pacific Arts 2016 at sunrise this morning.  Proa sailing canoes from many different island nations entered the harbor, greeted by traditional singing, dancing, chanting, and blowing of conch shells.  Several of the smallest proas were on the ocean for 6 days, having traveled over 500 miles by sea to arrive in Guam.

We got there early to get a good spot, and before long, we were surrounded by delegates from Fiji all dressed in matching blue shirts, sarongs, and woven leis.  I loved hearing the songs and chants from different islands and watching the traditional dances.  I look forward to attending more of the FestPac festivities over the next two weeks.