Horse Riding

On our last day the kids talked us into a 2 hour bare back horse ride along the beach and into the bush. Not exactly my favourite thing to do, as I am not really a good horse rider but I went along anyway. The kids loved it, took to it like they were born on one, and I must admit the scenery along the way was lovely. Can't say that the stiffness in my bum and legs once we arrived back was lovely, but you get that!

Heading onto the beach and off into the bush. Lucky for us we had very docile village horses and everyone managed to stay on.

Dylan and Emily showing what experts they were, no troubles for them, I had the only firey horse (of course I did - typical!)

The kids led they way into the bush with us oldies supervising from the back. An yes, I did like my horse, once I was finally off him.

Only problem according to the kids, 2 hrs was not long enough, for us adults, it was plenty long enough.

Matafonua Lodge - Foa Island - Ha'apai

Only a quick 10 min stroll up the beach and around the corner from Sandy Beach is Matafonua Lodge, a great little get away also. We went up there for dinner one night and lunch on the next day just for something different. A totally different set up to where we were staying but still great for the kids. Check it out on www.matafonua.com

The restaurant and play area at Matafonua

The fales and view of Ha'ano Island

More views, firstly straight out of the lagoon to the ocean and then over to the right hand side where they do bush walking and horse riding.

Sandy Beach Resort - Foa Island Ha'apai

Sandy Beach Resort is a fabulous little hideaway directly fronting onto beautiful white beaches and turquoise water,

with excellent bomies full of fish and coral just a short swim from the shoreline. We went with 2 other couples and just relaxed for 4 full days. Not much of anything except beach walking, snorkelling, fishing, good food, wine and company. We will be taking Hels and Jeff there when they come to visit next year. Check it out for yourself on sandybeachresort.de

Our fale, outside and inside

Wine o'clock on the balcony and puzzle time for the kids, with a bit of help from Lola and Hiro

Dylan was up early every morning waiting patiently in the hammock for Hiro to wake up so they could go fishing. Emily just preferred to sit in the tree.

Just chillin out, Jodie in the sea and the kids in the hammock

The views from the fale balcony

With sunset upon us it was time to retreat up to the common area for...

Pre-dinner drinks and then dinner, this particular night was lobster with pawpaw and chilli dressing - yummo

After dinner, it was time for a spot of night swimming for the girls, hermit crab hunting for Dylan and Hiro to use as bait and more fishing for Hiro, although he was seemingly more relaxed at this stage.

Pangai, capital of Ha'apai - on the island of Lifuka

On the Saturday morning of our weekend away we took a quick trip into the capital to check it out. A true glimpse of traditional village life on the way in and home from town as there are no traffic lights, no hussle and bussel and just lots of happy Tongans wandering around not doing too much of anything. Below are some photos of buildings around town to give you an idea of how modernisation is not always a necessity.

Pangai, from the air and then the harbour entrance.

Main tourist attractions, the town centre street sign and local pigs.

The yet to be built Police station and the Ministry of Justice Courthouse.


The only petrol station on the island down at the wharf, and the fire station.

The Navy Base headquarters and one of two booze shops in town.

Emily inside the only marketi, which sells root crops, second hand clothes and household items and a few handicrafts. Next is the only guest house/cafe which unfortunately was closed so no morning coffee for us.

A village cemetery and local meeting hall.

A traditional fale home, and a more modern one with its own water tank.

Plane trip to Ha'apai

The Ha'apai island group is 160km north of the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa and is the geographical centre of the Kingdom's four major island groups. Ha'apais' main island Lifuka, is where Captain Cook landed and, after a warm reception, later described the group as the Friendly Islands. Most of the 30 small islands are low lying coral atolls with the exception of 2 volcanic islands to the west, only a few are inhabited. With Lyndon away in Oz for work, we decided to take advantage of a long weekend and headed over to Ha'apai for 4 days. It was amazing and we are planning to take Helen and Jeff there when they come to visit next year.

It is only a 40min plane ride and we had the luxury of the newly renovated DC3 aircraft on the way over and a lovely private charter on a 8 seater Queen Air on the way home. With fantastic views from the air, it is easy to see why we love living here in Tonga.

The DC3 and probably one of the only planes in the world that flies with the cockpit door still open

Leaving Tonga's main island, Tongatapu, it is surrounded by fringing reef and cliff faces.

Spectular views of the coral atolls on the way to Ha'apai.

Tofua, a volcanic island and Likufa island joined to Foa Island by a causeway.

The runway into Likufa runs straight through the middle of the island and the main road crosses the run way. All cars must stop whilst planes and landing and taking off, then they continue on their way across the run way

Getting ready to go home in the Queenie, first time for the kids in such a small plane and they weren't quite sure about it all. Dylan was jealous that Hiro got the seat up the front next to the pilot, oh well next time.