John & Annie's House Warming

In the middle of the Kings celebrations, we had the pleasure of joining John & Annie for their house warming cocktail party. Originally planned for the Friday night, it was trumped by the Kings celebrations as all of his invited guests were off to join the King. John and Annie ended up getting an invite to that function also, so it was just as well they moved the date to the next night. After 15 years of living abroad they are old salts at 3rd world short notice change. The cocktails flowed freely and the food was of the international theme with dishes from all their previous countries. We had a few late drop in's and ended the night off on a low with the All Black's giving Oz a real lesson in Rugby union. Well half of the crowd anyway, the Kiwi's were pretty happy.

The smiling bar man? Hummm... what is John up to?

The cocktail list, very official - framed and all.

The girls lounging all over the day bed.

The crowd at the bar.

Our drop in 'Agent 00NZ' aka Sean.

Mr Tommy Tippee moving up to glass and umbrella's.

Hannah & Dom having a sultry go at the chilli Margarita cocktails.

Helen couldn't believe how fancy island life can be some times.

Prime Minister's Function and Church for the Kings Birthday Celebrations

Celebrations for King George Tupou V were the main activities this weekend with functions left right and centre. Jodie had a ball (5 outfit changes over the weekend) and even borrowed some Kekia's (Mat skirts) she looked the part and I was very lucky to have my own Island princess to join me in the celebrations. It all kicked off with the Prime Minister's cocktail function at the Dateline Hotel. No alcohol until the King arrived though, it was also a great chance for me to meet some more of Jodie's friends from the tourism industry. They had a brass band and traditional band playing with guest singers like 'Joey' who seems to make all events in Tonga. A great entertainer. Once the King had left the drinks were turned off and we made the most of no kids and headed out to dinner with friends.

Lyndon's first outing in his Mess undress uniform and Jodie's in a Kekia

The traditional singers with Joey in the middle, red wine and all.

Jodie, Annie and Rosie looking beautiful as always.

His Majesty on the way out (white suit and cane).

A chance for our first shot with the royal seat behind us.

Sunday was the next official King's Birthday function and our first church service. We attended the King's church with brass band, choir and Tongan Defence Services members as backup. It was amazing, no words could do it justice. Most speeches and nearly the entire service were done in Tongan but we tried to follow along with our limited Tongan, however it was the singing that made the day. Jodie nearly had a heart attack as there was a lady in the crowd that could have passed for her mum. We have since found out that she is a personal assistant to the King.

His Majesty up singing during the service, with the Queen mother beside him.

We were in the middle of it all with the TDS behind us, the choir and band to the left and TDS officers in front. We were just four rows back from the front and the kids on their best behaviour.

Jodie's mum's twin sister all dressed up (in uniform).

Lyndon's Uniform change No.2 for the weekend.

Family shot outside the church.

Day 2 Pangiamotu Island Walk

Day two and after a BBQ breakfast at home it was off to the Navy base to start the car ferry service down to the departure point for our low tide walk from Nuku'alofa mainland across the sea grass bed over to Pangiamotu. Two car loads full (Tongan style) and we met up with all the other keen walkers (about 35 in all) and we were ready to go. It took about an hour all up with plenty to see on the way, foraging pigs, sea slugs, star fish and lots of crazy kids. The rest of the day was spent enjoying the snorkeling, wreck jumping and general relaxing. A couple of luxury boats anchored during the day which also added an element of refinement. Lyndon did ferry rides back to the Navy base for everyone via the luxury boats for a close up view. As usual for Pangi the day ended with sunset drinks at the Fishing club followed by take away Korean, with heaps of MSG which really gets the ticker going. After the hectic two days Helen and Jeff boarded a plane early Monday morning for a week up at Vava'u for a spot of real whale watching and some "alone" time.

Ferrying Tongan style.

The crew heading out on our big adventure.

Em and the girls in search of star fish.

As we headed over we started to spread out across the flats.

Lyndon lugging the swimming gear over to Pangi (in the background).

Hurry up the tide is coming in!

Drinks all round after the strenuous walk, Not.

Helen heading out for a spot of snorkeling.

Do we look relaxed?

Supposedly Russell Crows boat? But the bloke below told us that!

Mr Tommy Tippee moves up to Elmo hats.

The usual crowds for sunset drinks. Departure time - Closing of coarse.

Jeff & Helen's Visit Day1 (our friends from Gladstone)

Arriving 2 days late due to unscheduled stop overs in LA and Auckland, Helen & Jeff finally arrived on our door step, our first official visitors to the Kingdom of Tonga. Time was short so with the weather on our side and after 3 hours sleep the boys headed out for a fish, sadly it was still a little too rough for young Dylan. We did manage to bring home a feed though. We also trawled home via a few of the Islands to show Jeff that it ain't all hard work out here.

Whilst the boys were out, the girls slept in then headed to the local markets and breakfast at the cafe to meet some of Jodie's friends. Luckily for Helen the final street parade was on for the Heilala festival. Helen mentioned she thought she was back in the US of A with all the brass bands. After the parade had passed it was off to the other flea market. The girls also dropped into the local fish market, shame there is no refrigeration or way to tell how long it has been out on the table though. Helen got some great shots though.

A local school brass bands making its way up the street.One of the floats coming down the main drag.

Cockles anyone? Recycle bag with those?

Fresh fish- again how fresh? Love the tongues though.
Kina, locals reckon it's similar to oysters. The kids think booggers!

Muddies, the big ones (biggest) are always on the top.

Finally into the stalls and there was the chook man but with a puwaka (pig) in the middle today.

Next event on the program was to pick up the girls in the boat, refill the esky and grab a few other friends for a Quirky's uninteresting whale spotting expedition. There could have been whales but because the esky was full the only poor sole looking out seemed to be the driver. Never the less it was a beautiful flat afternoon followed by an awesome sunset. So Lyndon changed the tour name to Quirky's interesting sunset cruise. In addition to make the boys all happy, he also dragged a line behind the boat.

Anyone see a whale back there?

Lyndon and his two loves. Maybe three - the ocean, fishing and Jodie.

Family shot with Emily in her usual cruising position of sleeping.

The girls with Bubbles in hand and a sunset to admire.

Introducing Mr Tommy Tippee aka Lincoln (Ian), no glass on the boat and this was the best cup he could come up with

Cruise over, it was time to drop the kids off with John and Annie for the night so after a few cocktails it was out to dinner at a local restaurant and a few minutes of clubbing before everything shuts for church at midnight.

Girlfriends all ready for bed I think.

Miss Heilala Festival

During the month of July Tonga celebrates with its cultural heritage with the Heilala Festival. Multiple events from street parades, art shows, traditional arts, singing competitions and dance events. We were lucky enough to catch a few events like last blogs block party, Miss Galaxy quest and the art show out at the Kingdom coffee plantation. But the highlight would have to have been the traditional dance competition from individual dancers to entire troops, men's, women and junior divisions. The outfits were incredible and the standard of dancing was also magical. Between competitors they had other local entertainment.

The Miss Heilala 2010 competitors

One of the Junior girls (Taahine)
One of the men's groups. All dancers were backed up by local singers.

Then there were our girls dancing Tahitian and Hawaiian The Jewels of the South Pacific dance troop.

Em a little nervous in front of the crowd.

Some of the crowd.

Not to mention dancing for The Royal Princess ( Infront of Dyl in the big lounge chair.)
And like true professionals it was on with the show.