NZ - Waitomo

The Quirke Tribe hit New Zealand. After a late arrival into Auckland and a sleep over at Lyndon's auntie Elwyn's place we were up early the next morning to go to the Doctors. Both the kids needed antibiotics and Jodie for her sliced toe, yep not the best way to kick start the holiday but everyone was now on the mend. After lunch we headed to Waitomo to see the famous Glow worm caves. The kids loved the country drive and with no Navman it proved an entertaining drive at times and after a few wrong turns we made it.

This shot is looking down the main street, a typical little backwater town with one pub.

This was our little bungalow for the night.

After sitting in a car for 3 plus hours the kids made a "V" line for the play gym. 

The girls in heaven, Jodie with a today's newspaper and Em found a bucket of hot chocolate.

The kids were impressed with all of Mu's cousins They have never seen so many milking cows in their lives.

We even came across an Ostrich farm.

It seemed we found our goal for the road trip, trying out every playground we pass.

The McKee's & O'DD depart Tonga.

Another one bites the dust.... another valued member of the FAB 5 team has departed Tonga, (leaving only the Terrific 2 still standing - Rochelle and Jodie).  Jennifer (A.K.A. O'DD) and her family have left to go back to Sydney now that John's contract with the Tongan Rugby Union for the World Cup is over.  Our lovely Irish lass had no clue as to what was going on, as one by one, everyone rocked up in something green as a tribute to her.  Once the third family arrived in green she finally clued on but was cranky she didn't know about it so she could join in too.  Too late to change outfits she says, as her green clothes were already packed away.  We had a great night reliving old times and having a drink for the friends that had left Tonga already.  Jodie misses Jen everyday, not only because they were always having lunch or coffee but because they were running buddies after dropping the kids at school each morning.  Due to lack of enthausium and no guilt of letting anyone down, Jodie has not been running since Jen left, something that must be reinstated ASAP. 



Sal, Paul, Rochelle, Lyndon and Steve

Tori, Jen, Jodie, Karen and Jenny

Tropical table decorations

The boys just hangin out

Ava, Em and Mu

Aye.. to be sure, to be sure!!

Slauncher Jen!

At the end of all our get togethers, the kids put on a floor show and tonight was no exception, the eager adult crowd awaits.

Here's to the McKee's

Jodie, Jen, Rochelle and Dee

Farewell dear friend, see you in Sydney

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.