Heineken Fishing Competition

Saturday 20 March was the Heineken Fishing Classic Competition. This event was due to be held 3 weeks ago but due to all the "special" weather activity over the past month it kept getting postponed. Friday night was official registration and information evening (i.e. code for a few drinkies, the Tongan PM was even there) then off bright and early on Saturday to catch the big one. Joe and Sam took out "Satisfaction" for the day and came back with a tuna, which made them the winners for the day. Unfortunately no monsters were caught but as the saying goes "you've got to be in it to win it".

"Satisfaction"

To make the event more family orientated, the Nuku'alofa Fishing Club hired a boat for the kids so we had a short version of the competition for about 4 hours out on the water. They provided the hand lines, gear and bait and helped the kids if needed. About 40 people were on the boat but alas no monsters were caught. Only 5 little fish and a tiny eel. The kids enjoyed themselves which is what it is all about and us parents had a nice afternoon out on the water also. The kids were too tired for us to make it to the fishing club for the presentation BBQ but from what we heard from Joe and Sam it was a good end to the day.

The charter boat "Cape Barron" with Dylan, Emily, Rachel, Ellie-Rose and Harry before departure
Dylan and his new fishing buddy Lincoln

Jodie's 40th Birthday

Jodie celebrated her 40th birthday over the weekend of 12-13 March. The family spent the Friday/Saturday at White Sands Beach Resort at Fo'ui on the West side of the island. Arriving at 2 in the afternoon we had the whole place to ourselves as it is a private beach resort (not open to day visitors) with only 6 bungalows and no other guests were due to check in until the next morning. It was glorious, we snorkeled, explored, had fish and chips and pizza on the beach to watch the sun go down and the kids went ghost crab hunting, which was hilarious, then we had some bubbles under the stars. Pancakes for brekkie then off to do some more snorkeling and exploring. A beautiful short break before coming home Sat arvo to get ready for the "Cocktail Carnival" birthday party.

We had about 30 people over for the party which started at 6pm with the last guest leaving at 2am. A local restaurant did the catering and Jodie did the cocktails (Pina Colada's and Mango Dacquairi's). With plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, the adults keep occupied with darts, pool and drinkies. Thanks to everyone who sent well wishes, cards and gifts, a fun time was had by all.

White Sandy Beach at Fo'ui

Dinner at sunset
Our bungalow

View from our bed in the bungalow

Our rock couch which turned into a little spa every time a wave came in, nothing but uninterrupted views straight out to sea

Emily's secret beach cove along the foreshore. Dylan found a sea snake skin on the rocks along the way.

Jodie's Birthday pressie - a pool table which kept the adults busy at the party while the kids played in the jumping castle

Chocolate mud cake for dessert, Dylan helped make it and Emily decorated it, YUMMY!


Jodie at 3am, the last cocktail (Pina Colada) before bed time

Tourism Delegates comes to Tonga

The first ever 'Eva Mai Tonga Tourism Exchange was officially opened on 2nd March by the Prime Minister of Tonga - Hon. Dr. Feleti V. Sevele and the Hon. Minister of Tourism - Fineasi Funaki. The week long famil for 30 travel agents and wholesalers from USA/NZ/AUST was initiated by the Tonga Tourist Association in conjunction with the Tonga Tourist Visitor Bureau. Local tour operators, hotels and restaurants, Air Pacific and Pacific Blue hosted the delegates over the 5 day period show casing what Tonga has to offer travellers to this region. The famil included dinners at local restaurants, day trips to the outer islands, cultural dance shows and a traditional kava ceremony.

An exciting occasion for Jodie as she got to catch up on some of her Tourism skills! How I hear you ask?? WELL... it just so happened that while dropping off Dylan's new mate Looalala after a play date, we got talking with his parents who run a dive company here in Tongatapu - Deep Blue Diving. As Toukia mentioned the tourism trade show, Jodie's face lit up and she was invited to come along for the day and give a helping hand on their booth at the show. It was a good experience for Jodie to be on the other side for a change i.e. attending, instead of organising one.

Toukia and her husband Sam (Ex Tongan Navy) with the Tongan P.M.


Some Tongan art on display!

Toukia and Nettie at the Deep Blue Diving booth.

One of our weekly routines is participating in the Hash House Harrier run/walks on a Thursday afternoon. During this week we celebrated the Hash masters 400th run/walk. Yep a while to go for the Q tribe as we are only on 9. It's a great way to see the town and meet new people, we have however, been lashed to be the drinks people so each week we bring along the beer and other refreshments. They have a great motto "A drinking club with a running problem!" The BBQ celebration below was at the ANZ house which is right on the fore shore!

Hash House Harriers BBQ for our Hash Masters (he's in green t-shirt) 400th! This particular week there were 53 in attendance.

The weekend saw the wind drop down so the boys dropped a line in Saturday arvo but spent more time trying to fix the GPS. Dylan caught a beauty at the Base (See below!) Then Sunday the wind dropped off even more, so we took a few friends out in "Satisfaction" and visited Fafa and Pangaimotu Islands and a few reefs in between, the kids had a ball. Poor Nemo and his mates will be very fit before we leave Tonga as they are always being chased by the Q's!!!

Fafa Island resort and Satisfaction in the background! We walked around the entire Island.

Just a few of the locals! No monsters yet?????


Dylan and his monster from the deep. The boys loved it! Dinner, yum!!

Stay tuned as prep's have begun for Jodie's big FOUR "O" party, this Saturday, we can't wait but wish you were all here with us to celebrate!!!!!!! She is missing you all terribly.