'Eua Eco Challenge - Recovery and Presentation Night

After an impressive time of 58 minutes, Tom won the men's section (made even more impressive noting he completed the ride on a single geared doddgy Chinese roadster bike) and Lisa won the women's section in 1hr 13 mins. Once the remainder of us dragged our butts over the line and with everyone accounted for it was recovery time until the Cocktail and Presentations ceremony/party began later that evening. Most of us stayed behind for a swim in the harbour to clean off and then it we loaded up the truck for home and what was left of the competitors rode their bikes back up to Hideaways (as if they hadn't done enough excerise already).

Lyndon enjoying a beer under the shade of a big tree infront of Eva and Tony's new resort. We were all spent and instead of swimming we simply lazed under the tree and rehydrated!

Emily resting in her ocean bath.

The path out to the fele where the cocktails went down a treat. Not to mention the kids loved riding up and down it until Necie fell through the railing.

Emily, Jodie, Tricia and Sal enjoying a sunset drink.

Jodie in her F.I.T. crew supporter jacket, cocktail and all.

Dinner time - traditional Tongan feast, puwaka's, Lyndon's Wahoo and all the trimmings.

Arlo and his favourite part - pig head and brains. Dyl couldn't stop watching every move he made.

Presentation time - Tricia giving Lisa her prize with Tomasi and Dylan looking on as they were her support crew.

Jodie collecting her raffle prize from Arlo. She couldn't get out there fast enough.

Providing the entertainment Jodie cut a rug (well coral floor that is) dancing to Blue Suede Shoes.

Ta'ani and our Tonga Elvis (Topou) belting out some tunes.

Winners are grinners, Tom and Lisa with their Navigator statue prize's. Tom reakons it wasn't all arse that they won. Just a little Navigator arse.

'Eua Eco Challenge - General activities and sites of 'Eua

The Island has so many interesting sites and characters and due to this fact we are already planning a few return trips. But we have made a few selections below but we must admit a few of those characters may have tagged along with us from the mainland.

Hows this for Sun protection?

This shelter had it all - lounge chairs Banana's and a magnificent view what else do you need?

The newest signs in town - each village has one as well.

Then there is the more traditional street sign in 'Eua

Hideaway's Resort beer garden/eatery, our home for the weekend.

A traditional Tongan boat outside of Tony and Eva's place.

Emily, Necie, Milla and Evie made a tepee one afternoon. Em even lashed the branches together with bark Lyndon was so impressed.

This was as close as Jodie and friend Seki could get to the winners trophies.

A few of the gang resting up the night before. Tricia allowed 5 cartoons of beer for the weekend but 13 were needed though. I think she thought we might have been a little more competitive?

BBQ for dinner anyone? Fresh Tuna from our trip over.

Sunset drinks at the fele - noticing a trend anyone???

Kava time, the men from the local village also dropped in to socialise. Topou played guitar and they all sung into the wee hours of the morning!!

This is the sunset view from Tony's fele's, it's simply magical!!

Bare back horse rides at sunset how good does it get? - Emily taking her turn.

Dylan and Milla taking in all in their stride.

Lyndon managed a spot of fishing with Tony starting at 5am on the day of the race. He caught all the fish (1xWahoo, 2xYellow Fin Tuna and 2xSkipjack Tuna) he thought Tony and Arlo were in cahoots as his arms were flogged.

While Lyndon fished Jodie enjoyed her morning coffee in the peace and quiet.

'Eua Eco Challenge - Fangatave Beach Hike

What a great idea as a recovery day - a walk down to a beautiful beach to have a paddle? Only a few drama's not mentioned earlier. You need a guide! Why? Because you have to climb down cliff faces on all fours, use ropes to lower yourself down and climb up, also navigate through caves to get down to the beach and did we mention it will take a few hours???? We laughed and loaded up the truck like it couldn't be that fun and foolishly some people even rode to the starting point at the top of the hill. So follow us on our little hike.

The kids hit the trail into the bush at 100miles an hour.


This is the look out - doesn't look too bad from here!

But if you step out behind the kids this is the view and no safety railing.

Jodie was loving the exercise crawling under barbed wire fences into the Kings' paddock.

Once on the edge, we traversed across the top of the cliff to the other end, behind us in this picture.

When you look back this way it was then that we relised how much of a drop off there actually was.

Follow the cow trails was one good piece of info, they weigh more than us.

As we climbed further down the cliff the kids began to explore the caves.

A square peg in a round hole? I asked for a smile but Jodie was a little too stuck for nicities.

Finally we made the beach and due to the length of the hike, most of us had drunk our water too.

Lunch and a swim were high on the cards but some of us had a LLD (Little Lie Down) too.

Jodie and the kids are at the far end of the beach having a paddle.

Well rested and after the guides took some people to a water hole to fill up the drink bottles it was time to make the trip home.

Jodie did manage a few smiles of terror on the way back up. Like the rope - all weight tested .... by the person infront of you!

Dom lugged Evie on his back the whole way and she kept reminding him not to die.

Finally up top again and on the trail back to the starting point.

Finally made it to the top and we all fell in a heap.

We also stopped and waited for the cyclists in the pine forest turn off. The kids chased the teathered horses around while we waited.

Can you see the well marked track we followed in and out? Yep in our Tongan Taxi.

Nothing like packing 14 odd people into the back of your truck while you go 4wd lucky the speed limit is 40 km too. We all made it home safe and sound but some paid more dearly over the next few days than others.

'Eua Eco Challenge - The Boat Ride Home

The last night was considerably quieter than the previous ones (thank God) we all sat around for a final BBQ followed by talks about next years events and how we could improve on this years event. If possible! Every one only had good things to say about this weekends event and we can't wait till next year. Because nothing runs on a Sunday in Tonga we had to wait till the Monday morning Ferry to return home. Loading time was 0300 with a departure time of 0530. The locals were onto it and loaded their gear on from midnight so by the time we arrived the seats were full of sleeping Tongans and the boat was full to the brim with all sorts of goodies.

Arlo trying to enjoy his sea snails while Sal and I ate our BBQ after finishing the horse riding adventure.

Sunrise over 'Eua

When we loaded no one was allowed on the roof, as you can see that changed before we left the harbour.

Good use of the float free life rafts which were lashed in.

Some of the extra cargo - Taro, Banana, gas bottles, freezer, GOAT. Can you spot him?

The kids and Lyndon on the roof of the ferry as it entered Nuku'alofa harbour but it wasn't the best idea especially when the horn went off.

Safe and sound alongside at 0815 and all that was left is to unpack and sleep, not Lyndon though he got to go straight to work.