Mexicana Theme party.

Last weekend was a another wet one but with the Xmas period on us and with a few of our friends heading off Island, Jodie planned to host a Mexicana theme party on Friday night. With the invites designed and delivered and the food cooked, it was only a matter of waiting to see who turned up in costume. For those that didn't though, Annie was on hand with a permanent marker to add a mustache or full face job depending on how she felt. Most people came dressed in their Mexican best and chillies were the order of the night. Jodie also managed to wrangle up some props from the local bottle-O's and marketi's. The kids helped by making up the cardboard cactus's and helped design mexican center pieces. Jodie "The hostess with the mostess" put on the full spread - entree, mains and deserts with 3 or 4 choices of each I might add. I think she emptied Tonga out of chillies and corn on the cob too. Two days of food preperation for this party made it a huge success and now she is already planning the next party - Lyndon's birthday party on New Years Eve.

The big gringo and his Senorita.

John our local Mexican mixologist setting up for the night! Yep more cocktails!

The Senoritas.

The Bambino's. The kids entertained themselves by trashing the yard and jumping castle.

The Gringo's. Who would dare mess with these clowns???????

Jodie's potent Sangria mixture.

Our little Bambino with some of Annie's handy work.

Jodie dancing and drinking on the table in recognition of those who could not make it. When she says she'll have a drink in your absence, you know she will be true to her word.

Once the food was done and dusted it was time to break out the pool table.

Some of us were a little confused as to which beer was the best. Don't panic it all got drunk.

Possible Last run for "Satisfaction"

Recent events have possibly seen the loss of our beloved recreational boat, this is the same for all of the south pacific nations. Cut backs? So with the weather being windy, wet and generally miserable in town we did a ring around and took a group of friends out to Pangimotu for a day on the beach. Atleast we can all be in the same place being happy together. As we arrived at Pangi and turned back for a look, the heavens opened on the main land however, we spent the day in the sunshine tucked in behind the island out of the 30+ km winds. The kids had a ball as there where 17 of them in our group alone which also kept them out of the adults hair. A few of the mums have been learning a traditional Tongan dance, Ta'alonga, similar to the girls one from last month so after a little convincing they gave us a joint demo. Very impressive and in sinc too. Jodie and I even managed a walk around the entire island, OK it was only a 20 min walk or one casual beer. With the day over, with some people even managing to get sun burnt, we loaded up the boat and head back home. When we arrived back alongside at the Navy base it began to rain. It's amazing what a 10min boat ride can do.

The girls having a tea party on the beach.

Our personal dance show. What better stage than on an Island beach.

The kids transformed Clancy into a dolphin.

Emily and Necie had to go one better and did a mermaid with scales.

Turtle eggs anyone? They might be a bit sandy though.

Burgers and beers on the beach. Perfect as long as you don't mind warm beer and an 1.5 hr wait for the food. 'Timi faka Tonga'. Translation - Tongan time. (Why rush)

Tomasi broke his arm so the boys played in the shade. This table has some interesting bounces but at least it has a net, most in Tonga have a chunk of wood.

Our group minus a couple just before departure.

That night after Tennis lessons we headed home for an Ozzy BBQ at the bosses house for some friends Lola,Hero and Naomi who are from Japan and Uzbekistan (Russia somewhere). We supplied the Roo and Mark and Linda did the rest, also accompanied by Ozzy beer. We didn't tell their daughter Naomi about the Roo until she had tried some. After dinner we moved over to our house until midnight playing pool.

Our Ozzy BBQ spread.

Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day preparations started after the 11th with a Saturday lunch time practice followed by the actual official ceremony on Sunday. The TDS supplied the guard from both Navy and Army personnel and what Tongan ceremony isn't complete without a band? A last minute change saw the King unable to attend so the Princess came along as his representative. Sam and Ting raised the National flags and Lyndon was on wreath duty.

The mixed guard. We lost one sailor during the practice but they all stayed upright during the actual ceremony.

The ceremonial guns were tucked away across the road and scared the living hell out of everyone.

The Cenotaph guard and Princess during the 2minutes silence.

Tiny and Sam marching off after the National flags were raised.

The Princess laid the first wreath.

Lyndon on his way out with the Ozzy wreath.

Handing over to Mr Bruce Hunt (Australian High Commissioner Tonga).

A touch of brass work sets of the whole picture.

The Princess departing in the Royal mini van.

Jodie and I after the ceremony.

US Defence Force Boss Visits Tonga

On Tues the 8th we had a flying visit from Admiral Mullen (and entourage). He is the highest ranking officer in the entire United States Defence Force, his present position being the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff. Notice to attend the evenings event was very short and information about the event was vague for obvious reasons, until after, yep all very hush hush. But it did explain why the buildings were painted over the weekend. They flew in for 3hrs, had a quick meeting with the King, the function at Touliki and then back to the airport and onto Hawaii. The main message from the function was one of thanks for the continued support from the Tongan Defence Service (TDS) in IRAQ and Afghanistan conflicts. The Princess was the Kings representative and the Prime Minister also attended the function. The TDS guys put on another great function.

The boys from the guard patiently awaiting the VIPs arrival. Security was so high but the men in black suits (American special agents) stood out even more so when mixed in with the TDS security.

Jodie and Linda with the UK Defence Advisor and some of the wives of the Tongan Officers.

Taking the salute during the Ceremonial sunset.

Admiral Mullen (in charge of the US defence force approx 1.5 million troops) and Brigadier Uta'atu (in charge of the TDS forces approx 750 troops). The lady on the left is the Commander of Admiral Mullen's Home front or commonly known as his wife.

Lyndon looking dapper in his waiters uniform. (Mess undress uniform)

The power team - Lord Tuita, Admiral Mullen, Princess Pilolevu Tuita, Mrs Mullen and the Tongan Prime Minister. This is just another example of how lucky we are in this posting, never in Lyndon's normal career would a Chief be personally invited to these kind of functions (unless he was in the guard), let alone get this close to this level of dignitaries.

The real shocker of the night was this buggy as we all thought they brought their own stretch limo on the plane - but it is actually the only one on the Island. Impressive.

Satisfaction Sleep over

With Monday being a public holiday and nice weather forecasted. Lyndon came up with another of his hair brained ideas. "Lets head out Sunday arvo in the boat for a sunset cruise then to go into anchor at Malinoa for the night!" So Jodie and the kids had their first ever 'waterbed' sleep over since we arrived in Tonga. After a short cruise outside the reef and we were even lucky enough to spot dolphins playing around the boat. Sorry no pic's as we weren't quick enough with the camera. We anchored just after sunset, so after a slow entry into the sheltered waters behind the island it was dinner and set up for bed. We enjoyed a million star movie night all set up on the back deck (bait board). Then it was bed time for everyone, Jodie opted for the outdoor bed and left Lyndon and the kids up in the front of the boat. The winds picked up during the night with a little rain thrown in too. Due to this quick weather change we dragged the anchor toward the reef. After a snappy boat move at 1am it was back to sleep. The kids never sturred. To our surprise sunrise brought with it a great day so after breaky and a clean up we headed out to sea for a fish.

An open water sunset minus the dolphins. Lesson learnt - get the camera out earlier next time.

Jodie in her best PJs setting up the surround sound.

Em was the first to crash, a cunning plan Lyndon found out later as she spread out and slept like a star fish all night.

Mum hit the hay (deck) and Dyl attempted to watch another movie.

After breaky we headed out to some nearby shoals and luckily enough we did pick up some reef fish.

Father and son wetting a line. Em continued to sleep all morning up the front.

After 18 hrs out on the boat the family was glad to step ashore at Pangi for a late lunch.

Sailing the High Seas

Saturday saw us get an invite out with friends on their actual sailing boat for a cruise around the inner reefs. The weather was perfect with 5-10 knots of wind and the kids were very excited being a new adventure and all. Marcus and his two boys Ned and Herb showed us the ropes. It was magic being able to talk as we sailed along at 6-8knots which made for a pleasant change from the roar of the diesel engine. Lyndon even took his turn at the tiller (wheel) while Jodie was on lifeguard duty with the kids on the front tramp. With favourable winds we ended up at Malinoa Island. Lyndon helped Marcus find a safe anchorage and then it was "All hands to baith". After jumping off the boats side a few million times and a quick swim it was time to head home with on a long reach. Hows that for sailor talk?

Marcus & Deb's Cat "AITA PE' A PE' A"

Lyndon having a drive.

Marcus with son Ned in one of his three hats for the day.

Jodie and Em relaxing at anchor on the front tramp. Malinoa in the background.

Herb is the perfect sailor, one sniff of the salt air and he was asleep.

Em and Ned in the cockpit.

Swim time. The bow made for a great place to jump off.

The Captains style. In cap number two for the day.

Paying the ferry man at the end of a great day.