Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Louise's Hens Night

During Ryan and Amanda's holiday one of Jodies friends had a hens party so off she went with the girls, and Ryan and Amanda went off to dinner for some "alone time" on the same night.  Lyndon and Kerrie were at home with the kids. Jodie and crew had a lovely dinner at Cottage Breeze then it was off to Reload for cocktails (Ladies night $5 cocktails) and a little dance.  Meanwhile, Ryan and Amanda had finished their dinner early and so Lyndon didn't have to do two trips in the car he told them to walk "just down the road" to meet Jodie at the nightclub.  Well, "just down the road" turned into a 30 min walk for Ryan and Amanda and they were very thirsty campers by the time they gate crashed the hens party.  The bride to be did not mind at all and they were soon dancing away with everyone. Congrats to Louise and Scott who got married last weekend after 15 years and 3 children together - see you when you get back to Tonga.


The night started out quiet enough


Then out comes the decorations....


....and the gifts!


Off we go to Reload.

Of all the joints, in all the world, look who happens into our little club

Dancing time

Drinking time

Oh - how cute!!


Cultural Dinner and Show at Liku'alofa

While we were staying at Holty's it was a perfrect opportunity to go down the road to the near by Liku'alofa Resort for their traditional feast and cultural show.  The place has just been done up so it was our first time also. Everyone was impressed with the huge buffet on offer (except fuss pots Emily and Dylan of course who only ate dessert) and the show was a combination of traditional dances from around the region. At the end of the show they always get some of the crowd up, and there was no asking Ryan twice, up he went with Gale and they were soon joined by Amanda, Kerrie and Ebony.  A great night was had by all.

Traditional dance number 1


Quirke cousins - who's ya daddy???


No need for artifical flower vases when you can use nature itself

Time for the show

The girls getting in on the act with fakapale for the dancer (gift of money for performing)

Ryan and Gale having a dance up the back near the buffet table

Ryan and Gale up on stage representing the Aussies and collecting the welcome cake

Not a bad prize for coming up on stage

Family dance time

Always a highlight of any cultural show - the fire dancers

Gale on stage with some little Tongan friends


Family Weekend at Holty's Hideaway.

Well, what else does one do when living on an island and have visitors, take them to the beach house - of course.  Our friends Paula and Tim have this great little place up on Ha'atafu Beach so off we went for 3 days. It was a great family getaway with plenty of relaxing, a bit of sight seeing, a big night on the Saturday, followed by a BBQ for Sunday lunch as the gang from town came up to join us.  Holty's is a 4 bedroom self contained house, just 100m from the beach which was great for the little kids who wanted in from the sun, and even greater for the big kids who were out chasing nemos all day.


Thanks Paula and Tim for a great weekend.


A little sight seeing thrown in - off to Keleti Beach for a look see


Nice pic gang

Then onto the blow holes


Great action on this particular day


Emily and Ryan waiting for the next big blow


Back to Ha'atafu and into the sea for a spot of snorkeling, fish everywhere


.. and sea slugs


...and star fish






..and clams


Rest time for Ebony, passed out on the deck in the breeze


OK, I am awake now, back to chewing the goggles and playing in my water containers


Back into the sea and Dylan found this eel poking its head out at him


Swim time for Gale and Ryan while Amanda and Ebony chill on the sand


Still underwater, Dylan and his mate Blaise


Just a little rest late on Sunday afternoon, Jodie with Steve and Dee

What a surprise, Pangi to ourselves as well.

Wednesday saw us scoot over to Pangi for the afternoon so Ryan, Amanda and Kerrie could enjoy one of our other favourite places.  Lucky for us there was no one else there and it was a beautiful calm day so Lyndon took Ryan for a quick ski before lunch. Apparently it had been years since Ryan was on skis but he made it look so easy by getting up first time, and staying up, much to our suprise.  Jodie left early to collect Emily and Dylan from school (who were quite upset that they didn't get the arvo off to come along too), and the others stayed till late, just snorkeling and hanging out with the fish at the wreck.


Jodie in the shade of the coconut tree with Ebony, while the others went snorkeling


Ryan coming back from a successful loop around Pangi, with Kerrie and Gale watching on


Ready, set, off snorkeling we go


Ryan and Amanda just hanging out at the ship wreck


Ryan doing some specky dives off the wreck


Nap time for Gale and a rest out of the sun for Amanda and Ebony


Unfortunately there is always a going home time, lucky for the little girls there were two big girls ready to help with the nap time

Jodie's Birthday

Yes, well another birthday rolled around, and nothing too exciting happens at this age. We just ended up having the gang over for nibbles and a quiet wine on the Sunday prior. On the actual day Jodie took Kerrie and Amanda off to the beautican for massages whilst Ryan looked after the kids, she then managed to pop in there for herself for a little overhaul (as you do). Under strict instructions to make sure I had a birthday cake this year, Lyndon came home from work at lunch time to whip up a chocolate mud cake, very interesting cake decorations were added and then it was time to blow out the candles. Thanks everyone for the well wishes.


Keeping up tradition - a few wines with the girls.


Yep, another year older


Happy Birthday to me


Like the adult version of cake decorating???


Family time

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Malinoa all to ourselves!

Sunday turned out to be a ripper of a day so we packed up the boats (Mal took one load out on Striper) and headed out to Malinoa for the day. The tides where perfect and our visitors got to see Malinoa in her prime. Snorkeling, swimming, Island exploring and casual strolls around the Island, what else do you need for a peaceful Sunday in Tonga? 

Amanda swimming ashore after Lyndon anchored the boat just off the shore.

Eb loved it in her little shelter and had an absolute ball in the sand and swimming with everyone. She even enjoyed some rudie nudie time.
Dylan has become quite the diver, he tells us he's in training for spear fishing.
Amanda getting a fish eyes view of the coral tops.
Amanda found it a little hard to dive with a life jacket on but with clarity like this who needs to swim down.

After chasing Nemo around for a while Amanda suddenly realised how far out we were and it was time to return to shore.
Jodie found lunch to her usual liking - hot dogs and beer on a desrted tropical island.
Amanda sneaking up on Gale. She had everyone on their toes. "Quick no one is looking lets go for a dip," hence the floaties stayed on for most of the day.
On the way home Amanda and Eb hid from the heat.

On the way home we stopped at a small bunch of bombies so Ryan and our kids could jump in for one last dip.
Dyl found an interesting spot to have a little snooze on the way home but when you're tired I guess you can sleep anywhere.