Atata Island for a weekend change.

Peta and the gang spent the 2nd week out at Atata so we decided to join them for the weekend. Sadly we had a rather large Friday night with friends and the next morning it was rough as and extremely windy. So much so Lyndon didn't even take BLAH BLAH over but chose to catch the local ferry. Lyndon slept the whole way, Dylan jumped around in the rough weather and had a ball while the girls went green and held on with white knuckles the entire way.

Emily quickly got her colour back and was off climbing trees as usual.

A father daughter moment as we strolled around the island.

Hanging out at the cabins, luckily they were all on the not so windy side.

Peta's bag was quickly filling up a she adopted every dog in Tonga and re named them but for some strange reason they always came to her. Could it have something to do with all the scraps she was feeding them. I think this fella was Lefty?

The view looking back at our Fale's from the beach.

That night we had a traditional night, a little light on the Tongan food but still there was plenty to go around.

The entertainment from the local village was very good though.

The kids had the best seats as we were the biggest group and one other couple who were also staying on the island.

Peta loved the Faka pale! How good is it slapping some cash on some well oiled Tongan boys. She had a few goes at it to make sure none of them missed out too.

All the girls got a flower necklace at the end of the night, from the same well oiled Tongan boys.

The next morning the God's had smiled on us and with no wind it was time for a touch of water sports. Fishing!

Stand up paddle board plus passenger. Faster Dad!

Dyl was his own skipper and even caught an eel for everyone to see.

Hunter gatherer. Dyl and the girls collected pipi's and he also ate them all.

Peta & friends visit Tonga

While Jodie had to return to Aust to visit her Nana we had a visit from Peta and mates to celebrate her 40th birthday Island style. They spent the first week at Holty's Beach house and we caught up for activities like Island tours, fishing, Heilala festival and many more island experiences (including shopping). Peta now knows that there are definitely no malls in Tonga and used by dates are more a guide.

Group photo under the Ha'umunga during our Island tour.We also picked up some necklaces from the locals here.

Pete was not so keen on the stairs at Ohelai beach. Possibly our biggest staircase in Tonga which also includes some very interesting angles and steep heights.

The beach at the bottom always makes all worth while. This is actually Lyndon's first day light visit too as we usually only come for the evening cultural show as it is on the far side of the island.

What visit to Tonga isn't complete without spending a day at Pangi'motu. Made even better being the only ones on the island.

Lyndon took Dave and Dave out for a not so successful fish.

That was until these monsters turned up.

This little fella was having a ball.

And wouldn't leave us alone.

Until finally with one swoosh of his tail he was off. I think the boys are still smiling from this experience.

That arvo we all returned to Holty's to celebrate Pete's 40th Birthday which began with drinks on the beach and a paddle with nemo and his mates.

Followed by watching a Tongan sunset with the Quirke tribe.

Dave was the lobster cleaner but Barry had the magic hands that turned out a magical seafood buffet. Lobster, Mahi Mahi, Dog tooth tuna, Sipi and Moa to name some. Em and Dyl ate hot dogs, possibly a little over the seafood.

A quick snap shot looking down the BBQ plate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PETA! and thanks for sharing it with us in Tonga.

Miss Heilala Parade

Peta and friends had arrived and it just happened to coincide with the Miss Heilala festival celebrations so after a quick tour around town we came back through the main street in time for them to enjoy the Final parade after crowning Miss Heilala.

Miss Heilala 2012-13 led the parade and was doing a great job walking in the wet with monster high heels.

The traditional bands marched past us and everyone was very excited then........

They all started to break into their funky moves right at our corner and nearly every band stopped there and did something different.

These guys got the biggest reception. They really got into the groove.

Owen was the drummer for the Vaka float.

The Vaka's cruised down the street without a single 1 of the 5 Fines in sight.

Some floats were very traditional.

Even the Japanese community had a float and whistles. They threw the little float up and down the entire way. They must have sore arms the next day.

Dyl was a hard judge to impress.

Em loved the turtle carving in the back ground of this float. It is made from one piece of timber.

More bands.

Then all of a sudden we spotted Dyl's mate Bentley who is from our village.

The Tongan version of "Silence of the lamb's."

Another of Dyl's school mates was the pilot of the plane.

Tongan OHS at it's best - a travelling DJ high up on a fork lift!!

Would you trust these guys with your cargo if this is how they treat the work cars?

Even with the rain the streets were packed from one end of town all the way down the water front.

Peta's favourite float and I'm sure she wasn't alone though.

Yes Peta look at the camera it will last longer.

100th Student Celebrations.

To mark our 100th member to join Tae Kwon Do in Tonga we held a party but due to the rain we had to move it to under our house. As always the juniors turned up early or on time then the rest began to trickle in before long the place was packed. Yvane and Eb had organised games and quiz while Lyndon set up the entertainment and BBQ. 

Poor Saia turned up early and was instantly mugged by the juniors. Where's your self defence now?

Craig and Yvane decided to take their turn at burning the million sausages.

Nysiola decided it was time for some limbo while the boys went out into the compound.

How low can she go?

Yvane gave a great speech which also included a collection of photos and video from the past three years of United Tae Kwon Do in Tonga.

The very moist chocolate cake said it all.

Quiz time was broken into mixed teams including parents and friends.

Some teams were very secretive.

Some questions had tasks like "how low can your horse riding stance go".

Chris had to do a kick over Em's head.

Ava demonstrating a new move someone in her group had just taught her.

Dyl was just hanging out with his mates. Don't stretch mum's clothes line either.

Our oldest student Yvane and our newest Saia (Jr) cut the cake. 

An assortment of our students from over the years. How long till the 200th party - can we wait that long?