Inaugural Nuku'alofa Outrigger Canoe (Waka) Regatta

After months of talk the Inaugural event at Pangimotu finally eventuated, some how Rochelle and Sal pulled off a miracle and conned Jodie into becoming the "official Race Director" we also took BLAH BLAH over as the rescue tender. In all we had 70 odd competitors with events covering everything from V12 races, V6 races (male, female & mixed), individuals, kids and novice. The final event was an endurance race with change outs in front of the crowd, very entertaining. It was a perfect Pangi day and Big Mumma also put on a BBQ for lunch time refreshments. I don't think the Pangi beach has seen this much action in ages.

 Owen opened the Day with a prayer. Jodie was easy to spot in her officially too orange top.

 Some Waka tradition Blessing the canoes.

 This also included a minutes silence for the King, as he was the one who donated the two waka's.

 We had a sprint course set up along the foreshore. The V12 races are timed as there aren't enough hulls at present. If you ask Sal & Rochelle "Watch this space"

 With so many people and watercraft along the beach it made for a very family orientated day.

 Off and racing in the V6 sprints.

 Between races the Bishops dropped in for a hello and Dyl chased Nemo around for something different.

 Sal showing he is a man of many talents with a little impromptu lip sinking karaoke

 During Lunch Sal presented Charles with a gift from the club prior to his departure as a thank you for his efforts as a founding member. 

 Emily and the girls heading back in after beating the boy crew.

 Rochelle taking the novice people through the basics.

 Simply backing out was entertaining enough with the novice section but a great fun race as well. Some people paddled for sheep stations other to simply stay above water. You know which section you feel within.

The final event of the day was an endurance race with a few change outs. Out with the old.

 In with the new. Very entertaining and if you don't make it in it's double trouble when the now 5 person waka returns.

 Shayne's fuel tank was on empty but the smile says it all. Go hard or Go home!

 Althea enjoying one of her last Pangi days.

 A couple of races wasn't enough for Dyl he just kept on going all day.

 The end of day Team photo. Great job race director. When is the next event Rochelle?

Nothing like a Tongan style ferry to return every one to the safety of the mainland. No overloading here?

Wahoo Friday

With a few new lures in his tackle box Lyndon was itching to get out on the water. Friday arvo rocked around and the seas had calmed so Lyndon packed up BLAH BLAH and went to grab his fishing buddy but to his surprise Dyl pulled the pin. Not today Dad! Never faced with this problem before Lyndon headed out. Let it be said that trying to clear three lines, drive the boat and set a hook by yourself isn't for the faint hearted. After the first Wahoo was inboard the next tricky part is using the timer setting on your camera in a rocking boat. With smiles all round and no one to share it with it was out all lines and try again. As an after thought I'm sooooo glad I didn't get any double hook ups.

 My first decent Wahoo in BLAH BLAH.

 Welcome aboard number two.

 As I looked back on Tonga somewhere inside these black clouds I decided to start the trip home early. A smart idea as the swell also picked up, from behind and then I drove into buckets of rain and ended turning what is a normal 30 min run into just over an hour and ended in the pitch dark too. Lots of fun.

Final haul two wahoo and a couple of Skippie's. SAL turned up just in time to help weigh and clean up. 10.6 and 12.4kg Wahoo. Very yummy.

Ocean of Light Meet the New King

With the new King - King Tupou VI taking over, each village, church group and school take their turn at meeting him and making an offering. Jodie joined Ocean of Light when they presented their offerings. Each child was asked to supply an ufi (yam), (bigger than their hand, the bigger the better) and the remainder of the Bahi community chipped in with pigs, clams, tapa and kahoa.

 As there was a chance of Jodie actually meeting the King she decided to do the right thing and go in traditional dress.

 Emily and her offering.

 Dyl and his offering, see it is a root vegetable.

 The kids sat patiently in this waiting area beside the Kings residence.

 This is the meeting area at the back of the Kings residence.

King Tupou VI looked very comfortable and would need to as this event went on for nearly two weeks.

After a little while the OOL kids were up.

The senior students began the offerings with Kahoa. (flower necklaces)

 The walls were covered in previous offerings.

  

 Tapa was next, large traditional floor or wall mats.

This is the next lot of people with their offerings.

 All the offerings are laid out on display.

 Shell fish of all sorts are popular. We were horrified to see these poor clam shells, knowing how long they take to grow.

No Tongan offering would be complete without a few Pig's. Check out the big fella in the centre.

Burial of King George Tupou V at the Royal tombs

Tuesday 27 Mar 2012, after multiple taskings as drivers and official escorts for dignatries the entire DCP staff ended up attending the funeral and with more front than Myers we also ended up in the VVIP seating area. Nothing beats front row seats to official functions. Guests flew in from all around the world we had seats next to the Maori King and other ministers of the NZ parliment, Governor Generals and DA's from around the world to name a few, this will definitely be another once in a lifetime experience as a CPO in the Navy. The event was a 0930 to 1500 event but the official section didn't kick off till 1130am.

Dave and I wore full dress uniform while the girls wore all Black.

The official care takers resting under the trees in the royal tomb grounds.

Initially we were seated with the Tongan's but were quickly wisked away to the VVIP tent.

Our new spot was right next to the royal family and guests.

Queen Salote's tomb.

The school children lining the entrance way with Tapa mats for the Kings casket to be carried over.

Laying of the Tapa. It just kept on coming.

Once layed the kids lined the mats the entire length from the royal palace 2 blocks away.

The DCP staff meeting the Australian Defence representative, Chief of the Australian Air Force, Air Marshal Brown.

Once the NZ plane arrived the seating was at a premium.

The last official function for these seats. Luckily we purchased a set last year.

The Governor General of Australia Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce sat with the royal family.

The Tongan Defence Services Guard proceeded the Kings Casket on the Catafalque.

The Catafalque passing us on it's way to the tomb.

The royal family following behind.

What is impressive is that the Catafalque weighs over 7.5 ton and is carried by approx 100 past students of Tupou college. Sal and Sia are in amongst these guys. Each person is expected to carry between 40-45kgs all the way from the palace (approx 1km) to the tombs with no padding either. Incredible!!

The Catafalque is put in it's final resting place.

The royal family return to their seats.

The Royal Standard.

Sermon given by the Royal chaplain.

The members of the Royal guard remove the Kings sword and Cap from the casket.

The Royal guard flag party folding the Royal Standard.

The Kings belongings are returned to the Royal family.

The Bearer party conveys the Royal Casket from the Cataflaque to the Traditional caretakers.

The bearers moving the body to the tomb.

The body is lowered into the tomb.

The casket is finally lowered to the traditional caretakers in the tomb below for the entrobment rites.

In the old days the people who touched the Kings body during funeral preparation would have their hands cut off because they had touched the late King. Now days they are not allowed to touch anything until the mourning period is over. But if you thought they had it bad the 10 traditional caretakers were actually burried alive with the Kings body and a flame would be lit outside the tomb and each day they would knock on the tomb wall and when there was no more replies the flame would be extinguished, apparently this is the significance in the 10 days of mourning. Again no longer practiced.

The Australian High Commissioner and GG departing.

Some of the Lords and Nobles of the Rhealm.

Jodie and I inside the Royal tomb grounds. This is as close as us Palangi's (non Tongan's) are allowed.

The wreaths laid by the school students.

The caretakers begining to decorate the tomb.

The caretakers fill the tomb with coral sand, by hand.

The main entrance to the Royal tombs.

Jodie and Rochelle outside the main entrance.

The Fineanganofo family coming to support Sal during his big lift of the Catafalque.