Another Week of Celebrations and Activities

We've all been enjoying the cool weather and even had to get the Doona cover out as it went below 22 Deg C this week on a couple of occasions. This hasn't stopped any of the water sports or early morning Pasikala rides. This months ride was for Kids Cancer but sleepy heads Jodie and Dylan took a pass. Em punched out an impressive average speed of 18.5Km/Hr for the 13.5 Km ride on her BMX. The kids are also still very keen on the Aquathons every Saturday Arvo.

Our little treasure at the end of the rainbow, coming out of Em's head (only if you look super close)

Coconut Vampire Mu even joined us for the ride.

During the week Lyndon's Technical staff had their yearly photo shoot.

This week it was Dylans class piled into Jodies car for their tour around the Island.

Rochelle finally had her official birthday (21 Again!!) and we had organised a surprise party at John and Anny's place. Sal astounded us all and kept it a secret for the entire week. It was Italian theme this time with plenty of food and red wine. We had made up cut outs of our missing Fab 5 members and their partners so no one was missed. We even made sure they got a bit of food and a sip of wine during the night.

Our missing in action guests with the Birthday girl.

The FAb5, cheeky smiles all round!!

O'DD (Jen) had too much to drink so Jodie made sure she had a little something in her tummy.

The entire crew in Anny's Egg. This seat could comatose the biggest bloke into a slumber!

Now this is a loving relationship! John put the pressure on and offered a $10 donation to the school fete for every head shot when Anny was throwing. 4 out of 6 wet sponges hit the mark, Not bad!!!

Water cam!! Rochelle and Mosese rounding the buoy during the Aquathon.

Jodie deciding where to start as she looks at her Lobster Mornay during our romantic 12 year wedding anniversary dinner out together (yep NO kids!).

This Sunday we joined the Fine 5 for the day as they babysat the kids overnight, the kids helped cook the umu for our lunch and weaving became the afternoons entertainment.

Lyndon was stripping Tu'aniu (mid rib of coconut leaflet) but also managed to squeeze in a few beers.

Jodie even had a go at her version of a Tongan grass hat. Maybe too many wines?

Even the off cuts became entertaining for the awesome twosome of Em and Mu (Emu).

Back to Island life after Nan's departure.

Introducing the newest compound pet "Pebbles" the baby pig but the kids are sad because she belongs to Karen and Mal.

On the evening of Nan's departure we were invited to the Aust High Commissioner's residence for drinks after the GG departed.

We were also lucky enough to have Nan in town for her Birthday which we celebrated at Reef cafe with Island service and a beautiful cake that Mu and Rochelle had baked. Lyndon's Wellington Boss (Peter Bennett) joined us as he departed on the same flight as Nan.

With batteries fully charged Island style Nan only had one last thing to say "I'll be back!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALI Q.

Em's class had their yearly Island excursion, so it was look out Tonga. Oh and do we have any parent volunteers to drive them??

There wouldn't be too many museums that still let you touch the exhibits - Em with a Traditional War club.

What Island tour isn't complete without a picnic at the water front?

Hash this week kicked off from the Lagoon, lucky it was high tide so no mozzies. Give the kids water and they just have to throw things in it!

For some reason Jodie was inspired and she ran the entire walk, second time ever. What a girl!!

Rochelle and Jodie snuck to Fafa during the week to have a girly day in celebration of Rochelle's upcoming birthday.

Is this the face of relaxation?

No kids, no washing, no husbands and no running out of wine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Heilala Parade

After thinking that Lyndon had scored the best park for the Kings Parade and after a slightly delayed departure from our previous event he found out why the main street was soooo empty. Straight after the King's Parade was the Heilala Street Parade. Floats and Bands followed by more bands and did I mention we saw some brass bands too? They really do love a good brass band here in Tonga and seeing how every school has one they make every street parade interesting with bigger and better routines.

Lyndon's not so flash park was exceptional for the march past. Even Nan made into the tray. (Police Band in the background)

School band!

One of the traditional handy crafts floats.

Another school band.

Every few hundred yards or so the band stops and does a funky little gig.

Yes, another school band but the uniforms and enthusiasm are great.

Between each float was a.......... schools band.

Here comes the girls favourite float. Mr TONGA competition float.

Great Ozzy green and gold!

Guess who had the camera here? Yep NOT Lyndon.

Lyndon even had people from the floats jumping over to have their photos with him. How bizarre? I guess whats one more clown in a parade?

Tonga Navy Tattoo 2011

After what seems months of practice it was finally time to see the Tattoo. Our first and only one as they are only held every second year. This year the Australian Army Band and the US Marines Band joined in the celebrations and activities. Everyone had a favourite section Em loved the Ozzy band as they did a section where they acted like sheep escaping from a corral and the drummer had to muster them up. The marines did some obstacle courses and mock attack on the enemy. The Navy dressed two Army trucks up like patrol boats and did Navy things (Light Line Transfer and such) then continued with weapons displays and finished off with some modern boxer-cise routine which went down a treat. The Kings Royal guard performed a marching and rifle routine very impressive, spinning throwing, twirling and all. The RDU (Engineers) built a couple of houses in 5min and ran off with them.

Paasi the head electrician taking a well earned break before the show kicks off.

First in best dressed is what they say and we managed good spots in our tent. Nan was very impressed with the seating.

The DCP Princess' Jade, Emily and Georgia with Her Royal Highness in the background.

The King arrived fashionably late and the show began! The kids call his car the Hearse!

The Commander and his men. Brigadier Uta'atu.

These guys shimmied up these poles in seconds and then did these star fish poses on top before scooting straight back down. Blink and you'd miss it.

The flag bearers for the US Marine Corps band. Very precise.

The RDU take off with one of their houses! Apparently in the last tattoo, they stripped a jeep to get across a river and rebuilt it and drove off again.

Can't have a Tongan band section without some traditional dancers.

The crowd screamed when they opened fire (with blanks) Dylan thought it was funny as but that's more than likely because they never aimed at him.

Toward the end the entire TDS came back out and did the Tongan Haka. Chills up the spin stuff!!!

The poor King was up and down all night taking his salutes. The Royal Prince is on this side of him.

They finished it all off with a combined band and singers from each band belting out some tunes.

After the TATTOO some of the American guys took to the streets to entertain the locals. Everyone was having a ball and getting into the groove. They really love their brass bands here in Tonga.