The Queen’s Baton Relay spent two days in Tuvalu and its arrival was celebrated at Tulaakiga Falekaupule with garlanding and entertainment. Timi Melei, Minster of Education and Youth and Simon Kofe, Minister of Sports and Minister of Foreign Affairs both welcomed the Baton.
The Relay continued with visits to the scenic islets: Papa Elise, Funafala, Fualefeke, and Mulitefala. On the islets, the Baton visited conservation areas, while Batonbearers planted mangroves in an effort to protect and preserve the local eco-system.
On the second day in the nation, the Relay started at Tuvalu Maritime School, where the Captain Superintendent represented his school and country as a Batonbearer and members of the local community performed a maulu'ulu, a traditional group dance. Then Batonbearers took to the water in canoes and paddled with the Baton to the other end of the island.
On the main island, Batonbearers relayed the Baton around 12 of the nation’s 24 schools with students taking on the Relay and carrying the Baton.
Then, the Baton was taken to the Tuvalu Government Building and the National Archives.
The day and Relay through Tuvalu ended at a playground on Fongafale, the largest of the nation’s islets, where children were able to interact with the Baton.
