The King's Birthday Luncheon at the Day Palace.

On completion of the Military Parade we had a few minutes to change clothes, have a quick drink at the Nuku'alofa club (well the boys anyway) as it is a men's only club, the last apparently in the Pacific. Then the girls picked us up and we headed into the Palace grounds for the King's official luncheon. As we entered you could see the extensions/modifications still going on around the old building. Lunch was served in the grounds under two big marques with entertainment by local schools and church groups with dances also conducted by the princess for her brother. At one point during a schools dance the heavens opened and by the end, it was sunny again and through it all they didn't miss a beat. Each table had a different meal theme and ours was more-so traditional with the yam , lu and puwaka. Crazy how things happen, no pig for weeks then two traditional ones in a row. The Tongan man next to Lyndon cut off a whole front leg and a chest section and placed it on his plate. Well there was no room for anything else so he had to eat the lot to enjoy the remainder of the meal.

The view as we entered the Palace grounds.

Cutting of the Birthday cake.

Lyndon with only the front leg left from the puwaka.

The Boss rewarding the Princess' performance - Tongan style with a money donation.

A local church group performing for the King.

Half way through the heavens opened.

Traditional dancers. Some dances went for more than 15min. A true test of stamina.

The men weren't to be out done.

Another Dancer with traditional singers.

At the head of the table was the King and the Royal family along with dignitaries incl Aust High Commissioner on far left.

Mr and Mrs Q and the Royal Day Palace.

The Kings Military Celebrations.

The Kings Military Birthday celebrations consisted of two functions, the Military Parade in the morning followed by the function at HMNB Masefeild. Preparations for the parade have been going on for months. At times, driving Sam and I a little crazy too as no one is available to conduct defect maintenance. Practice was conducted at the base and they marked out the entire field with sand to ensure not one foot went wrong for His Majesty. Another outfit for Jodie and we were ready. The kids got to come along so they were also wrapped. It's not every day you get to sit so close to Royalty, hope Jodie is getting used to it though, as we have a few years left on the Island. The King inspected the guard and did an entire lap of the troops in an old NZ Defence Force Land Rover which is in pristine condition. On completion we also managed to get a few shots of the Ozzy contingent (with a few ring ins) in front of the King's grand stand. Everyone involved did a great job and obviously all the training was warranted. The kids especially enjoyed the Military band.

Full dress rehearsal at HMNB Masefeild.

230 odd members in the guard and even my panoramic couldn't fit them in.

His Majesty in his military uniform (white pith hat) with the Queen mother on his right.

The Q tribe only meters away from Royalty!

His Majesty inspecting the guard.

His Majesty saluting the international military contingency.

Dylan getting up close with the military band.

The land division of the Tongan Defense Services marching past.

Bring on the Navy boys, very sharp.

King George Tupou IV Royal crest on our seats.

The Commander of the Tongan Defense Services in the center with other guests.

The Ozzy contingency and a few extra ring in's.

After the parade, and the completion of the King's Birthday Luncheon, (A separate blog in itself) the military celebration recommenced at Touliki Base. We had dropped the kids off again and Jodie was in outfit No.3 for the day as we all headed down to the Base for drinks and a more relaxed performance by the Military band. As this was the final function for the weekend long celebrations they went on a little longer than expected. The boys around the Kava bowl were in fine form with some traditional singing and plenty of Kava flowing. Lyndon saw fit to keep with the beer this time round leaving to the boys to relax. In all, it was a great way to end a massive weekend of functions and such an eye opener that we were so lucky to be a part of.

The final outfit for us both with the Kava hut set up behind us.

The Band conducting a more up beat song which also included traditional dancers, all members from the TDS.

SAL's UMU from start to finish!

BE WARNED some pictures may offend as this is the entire process of a traditional UMU.

While Jeff & Helen were in town we were all invited to join Sal & Rochelle's family for a Sunday Umu and Puwaka. We dropped in after church to see how things were to progress. So after a quick change from Lyndon's white navy uniform into something more appropriate it was all hands on deck. Sal's dad Mosesse Snr took charge of us Palangi's (non Tongan's) and ran us through the entire process. No power but not quiet traditional with carpet and a sleeping bag used to keep the heat in the umu pit. The pig was slow roasted over the open fire on a spit and hand rotated for the entire 3-4 hrs. Luckily you are allowed beers while the men conducted this section. Jeff even had a bash at de-husking coconuts and shredding the pulp. On completion of the outdoor cooking we took the puwaka in for carving by Sal's cousin Fahu, the knife expert. Then all that was left was to sit back and enjoy the feast. Em and Moo performed their Tahitian dance after dinner to top off the whole experience.

Lyndon feeling a little out of place.

The circle of life Tongan style. Piani's pig Butterscotch.

Dylan took the first turn on the handle rotating the pig.

The boys loading up the umu (ground oven).

Jeff & Lyndon taking our turn at the wheel.

Jeff shredding the coconuts.

The master at work, Mosesse Snr.

One of the mumma pig's.

Covering up the pit not so traditional style but very effective.

Unloading the spoils. Yam, Tarro, Hawaii sweet potato and Moa (chicken)

The final crackle preparation.

Sal and Jeff removing the pig from the spit.

The kids watching Fahu carve.

It's all in the presentation.

Em and Moo performing their Tahitian dance for the crowd.

All full it was then off home for last drinks and pool before flying out the next morning.

John & Annie's House Warming

In the middle of the Kings celebrations, we had the pleasure of joining John & Annie for their house warming cocktail party. Originally planned for the Friday night, it was trumped by the Kings celebrations as all of his invited guests were off to join the King. John and Annie ended up getting an invite to that function also, so it was just as well they moved the date to the next night. After 15 years of living abroad they are old salts at 3rd world short notice change. The cocktails flowed freely and the food was of the international theme with dishes from all their previous countries. We had a few late drop in's and ended the night off on a low with the All Black's giving Oz a real lesson in Rugby union. Well half of the crowd anyway, the Kiwi's were pretty happy.

The smiling bar man? Hummm... what is John up to?

The cocktail list, very official - framed and all.

The girls lounging all over the day bed.

The crowd at the bar.

Our drop in 'Agent 00NZ' aka Sean.

Mr Tommy Tippee moving up to glass and umbrella's.

Hannah & Dom having a sultry go at the chilli Margarita cocktails.

Helen couldn't believe how fancy island life can be some times.

Prime Minister's Function and Church for the Kings Birthday Celebrations

Celebrations for King George Tupou V were the main activities this weekend with functions left right and centre. Jodie had a ball (5 outfit changes over the weekend) and even borrowed some Kekia's (Mat skirts) she looked the part and I was very lucky to have my own Island princess to join me in the celebrations. It all kicked off with the Prime Minister's cocktail function at the Dateline Hotel. No alcohol until the King arrived though, it was also a great chance for me to meet some more of Jodie's friends from the tourism industry. They had a brass band and traditional band playing with guest singers like 'Joey' who seems to make all events in Tonga. A great entertainer. Once the King had left the drinks were turned off and we made the most of no kids and headed out to dinner with friends.

Lyndon's first outing in his Mess undress uniform and Jodie's in a Kekia

The traditional singers with Joey in the middle, red wine and all.

Jodie, Annie and Rosie looking beautiful as always.

His Majesty on the way out (white suit and cane).

A chance for our first shot with the royal seat behind us.

Sunday was the next official King's Birthday function and our first church service. We attended the King's church with brass band, choir and Tongan Defence Services members as backup. It was amazing, no words could do it justice. Most speeches and nearly the entire service were done in Tongan but we tried to follow along with our limited Tongan, however it was the singing that made the day. Jodie nearly had a heart attack as there was a lady in the crowd that could have passed for her mum. We have since found out that she is a personal assistant to the King.

His Majesty up singing during the service, with the Queen mother beside him.

We were in the middle of it all with the TDS behind us, the choir and band to the left and TDS officers in front. We were just four rows back from the front and the kids on their best behaviour.

Jodie's mum's twin sister all dressed up (in uniform).

Lyndon's Uniform change No.2 for the weekend.

Family shot outside the church.