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.
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.
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