MUM Returns safe and Sound!

The final week of holidays and mum was back in our arms all safe and sound Tuesday night. So it was off to work for Dad and fun and games with mum for the rest of the week. From the 16-24 July we have been celebrating the Heilala Cultural Festival with activities on most days from talent quests, dance nights, music festivals which also included a block party and street entertainment. The kids had a ball with the highlight being the fairy floss at $1 Panga (70 cents Aust). No rides though, more so a chance to gather in the main street and catch up with friends, family and watch the entertainment on the stage. Unfortunately, the kids were expecting the Cairns show type of thing! One big plus for Mum and Dad though was no show bags in sight.

Yep there are kids behind all that sugar.

Jodie back out on the golf course - well actually more so the sides of the fairways.

Saturday we booked the boat and packed everything, in the hope of great weather and the big man delivered. We were on the water in time to enjoy sunrise on our way out to the outer section of our Island reef. We arrived mid tide so we decided to do a spot of whale watching and you guessed it the big man delivered, again. Whales off the Stbd bow. I reckon they were pointing me to the fish because we dropped a line while watching them and caught a few local emperor. After a few changes in position it was time for lunch so it was off to a nearby Island for a swim and snack.

Sunrise over Fafa Island

Dylan heaving in another fish. He was looking for a hand after a short while though.

The depth could have had something to do with it. Man up Dylan.

Rest time.

Jodie said it's not all about the size, just like Hats - colour counts in a woman's world.

Dylan back in the game.

Picture perfect.

Jodie snapped a pearla of Lyndon and his fly rod.

Play time on the way home for the kids and a quiet wine for the girls.

What else do you do after a great day out on the ocean, cocktails with friends - John and Annie, Appletini's in hand and a Mango Dacquari in reserve.

July School Holidays

Well another school term has now come and gone with the kids going crazy around the compound and town. The weather hasn't been the greatest with spurts of sunshine between the rainy and windy days. But don't worry there has still been heaps for the monkies to do! Here's a few things!

Crazy Dylan having fun on his last Day in class.

Mortan and Nada's farewell party. So few adults and sooo many kids.

Dylan in the kids Jumping castle. It has only had the one puncture so far.

Evening harbour cruise with friends!

The first of the season, whale spotting expedition. Em was pretty much over seeing wave tops.

Naomi and Em playing pirates around the compound.

At this stage of the holidays mum took off to Oz and left the kids with Dad. Hmmmm...... so yes it was off to the Miss Tonga Galaxy Quest on our first night alone. We must explain though the girls are what locals call 'fakaladies' which means like a lady. But the kids all loved the costumes and the skits the girls put on. After the big night out it was off to the golf course for a round and we have now discovered that the kids make a good team Em has a great short game and Dyl can swing a club especially the big ones, most of his big hits were with the woods which are all bigger than him. They loved it so much they have both booked in for another round. We also ran into the school head master at the 19th hole.

Some of the contestants including Em's favourite in the butterfly outfit.

Miss Tonga USA

No. 2 in the costume stakes, she started as a flower then dropped the top petals to reveal the Island princess.

Look out Greg Norman here comes the Junior Quirkes

Driving comp anyone?

On one of the nice days mum even managed to take the kids and a friend each to 'Otuhaka beach for the TWISC (ladies group) lunch. The kids did the usual, played in the sand, collected more shells and scared poor nemo to death. Lucky he has lots of doubles here in Tonga.

Emily and Marilyn check out a four legged star fish.

The boys raised the stakes with one more leg.

Ualala teaching Dyl the finner points of building an umu. (ground oven)

Roller blading on the only 500m smooth section of path in Tonga in preparation for our ski holiday in Aug.

Em playing archaeologist in the back yard. Note the plaster mould foot step? Monster chook maybe????

2010 (Tongan) Olympic Day

Saturday morning started early for the Quirke tribe and friends with the exception of Dad as he got a sleep in with no ride on. Instead we headed down to the esplanade for the start of the Olympic Day fun run/walk/ride event. We opted for the 5km event along the fore shore which being a marketi day made for an even more interesting trip. After the speeches, prayer's, group warm up and staggered start we were off. We were even colour co-ordinated in our Olympic colours and Jodie said it was an unconscious decision when she picked out our shirts. Team Q

The crowds converge on the starting gate, footy teams and all
Cyclists were out the gate first but not everyone was riding for coconut plantations. Sorry no sheep here.

Just picking up some supplies Tongan style
From corn to coconuts but not much in between

Steve our favourite wood carver with a Kava bowl

BBQ chicken Tongan style, yep even wood fired.

Mum and Dyl hitting half way and Em and Dad on the return.

Spicing it up with a wall run on the return leg.

Mum and Dyl crossing the Finish Line

So what do you do after some exercise?

Archery of coarse.

Not bad arrows either Dyl. Uncle Mat and Lilly would be proud.

The matching family colours after a great day out.

Tongan Defence Services Division

Just to let you all know its not all lazing in the sunshine, fishing and snorkeling. I'd like to introduce you to the HMNB (His Majesties Naval Base) Masefeild technicians including Sam and I. As you can see we do actually wear our whites that is on occasions and this was the first for the year during normal working hours. The Navy section of the TDS is approx 102 members and this includes 2 female electricians. The electricians are presently rewiring the entire base after a recent self audit. We've had a few late days but all involved are loving the consolidation of electrical training and I'm picking up some quality Tongan.

The TDS Navy Technical Division

The Defence Co-operation Team
Sam (TAMT) Semisi (BTO) and I (TAET)