ANZAC Day Ceremony

Our second ANZAC day in TONGA was another great day of rememberance and celebration with friends. It all started off with the Dawn service as Lyndon had only just returned from LEP (again) in Oz it was all left up to Mal to organise the days service as we rotate with the Kiwi's. Lyndon had the wreaths and Sam scored the flag. Lyndon should have thought a little harder about it and brought a torch along to assist him in organising them in the right order. In true Tongan style some only turned up seconds before the ceremony started. The event ran very smoothly and after we were all invited back to the Australian High Commissioners residence for a gunshot breakfast out on the front lawn. After lining our stomach's, the boys headed to the Nuku'alofa gentlemens club for a few quiet ales and so on.

Lyndon attempting to read in the dark, not that flash photograhy helps.

Lyndon handing over the wreath to the Australian High Commissioner Mr Thomas Roth.

Taking the salute with the Boss (MSA - Mark) for our defence wreath.

Some of the dignatries, this it truely is a representational posting (L-R, One of the Tongan Nobles, AHC, Tongan Prime Minister, NZHC, Japanese Ambassador)

Our attempt a getting an Arty Sunrise shot with the hats representing the services.

A mix of the Tongan, Ozzy and Kiwi reps.

DCP Tonga all dressed up.

The Quirke tribe and we even managed to get Dylan out of bed early this year.

Tony and Eva. Tony is mixing it up now that he is a local, nice Tepanu.

Gunshot breakfast, the McKee's joined in too.

The first of a few toasts in the Nuku'alofa club. At least this year it was open and we weren't left drinking on the porch like last year maybe next year they may have more than 3 cold beers? You can never rush a good thing and the warm rum's went down a treat anyway.

Easter Weekend Fishing Comp TIGFA

With our first weekend with Lyndon home Dylan was over the moon to have it coincide with a fishing comp and have Satisfaction up and running too. The stars are aligned that was until Dylan found out it was with TIGFA rules (Tonga International Game Fishing Association) This ment he was on his own and some serious weights to get a keeper! So with Sal aboard the boys headed out for the Day 9hrs actually not the best weather so the hide behind the western side of the Island.

First hook up was a few hours in and it was looking a touch slow but Dylan was on! Gimble on and drag set he was in for the long haul.

15minutes later he was all smiles!

His first unassisted fish, life doesn't get any better but his hands and arms were killing him. This mahi mahi put on a great show for him too with a few big jumps.

With the bite being hard to find we moved further north in search of Tuna , then fish on and Sal was up! This was also his first big fish.

After a long Day Dyl's was the main chance at 5.2kgs (8kgs for Snr's)and Sal had a Skip Jack at 2.9kgs, neither made the seniors weights but Dyl also had two small skip Jack tuna to his name.

At this point we were the only team with any fish weighed with an hour of the first day remaining. All smiles even though Lyndon didn't even get to touch a line for the entire day, what a skipper.

Weighed it was time to lighten that frame! Yummy

Day two feel on ANZAC day so between services and events the boys headed out for a few hours to get Dylan and even Sal a legal fish! Again Dyl was up first!

12 min and "Man my arms are killing me Dad!" Dyl had a 3kg Skippy inboard again.

Dylan with our not so live bait any more. Remember big baits big fish. The day before Sam and Tiny caught a 46Kg sail fish in these very waters. It was pretty uncomfy so we hid behind the reef for the 4 hours.

That night, after our ANZAC Day compound function we returned for the final weigh in and after receiving a call on our way in we knew something was up? Dylan had won the Jr comp with his Mahi Mahi and Tuna. He was over the moon.

Just part of his winnings! Cash, shirt, fishing tackle and bragging rights Dad is still coping it. Shame he didn't catch this one on the the shirt though but after realising how hard it is to bring in 5kg fish, 20 kgs is looking a little daunting at present but he'll be ready on our return from USA for the Jr TIGFA comp in June. Tight Lines.

On The Spot ART Auction and Challenge

This months activity for "On The Spot" was their yearly art exibition and challange. They've been very busy over the past few months and the collection on display was varried. The Fifita family were a major contributor and Jodie bought some of Ruha's peices. Below is a selection, Em went mad with the camera.

On the last night they put on an art challenge titled "Shifting Sands" at a local cafe "Reef" There were 7 artists, 1 canvas and 15min rotations in groups of 4 during the night. This also included rotations of the canvas and removal of pre arranged tape below so no one could concentrate on a singular idea.

Ruha getting funky with the brush!

Em offering advice about the flamingo, what Flamingo was Ruha's reply.

The entire process was filmed while people dined and observed the creative juices.

With time up, this was the final product with all the artists and Yvanne even threw sand onto his final section which also ended up in every one elses eyes!

Em with the final master piece.

Easter in TONGA

After a few weeks of arts and craft we were sure to have enough Easter decorations around the house. With chocolate in Tonga being either out of date or too expensive the rellies and Lyndon came to the rescue to assist Mr Easter Bunny in delivering a huge stock pile to us in Tonga.

Some of the creations from our next door neighbours craft day designed by Jodie and the kids.


The hunt was on!

He was a tricky Bunny and put them everywhere, even in the tree house.

Some stood out a little more than others though. Now Blue Berry's eggs look big.

Dylan with his stash.

Em spreading hers out in colour order before having her choccy breakfast.

Jodie started with real eggs first.

We followed our big breakfast up with a little church with our new house lady (Maria) and her boys. A Baptist Church service and half in English just for us Palangi guests.

Our singing didn't wake everyone, Lyndon even thought he could hold a tune.

Maria and her boys after the service.

April Odd Bits

While waiting for Dad to return, mum had the job of entertaining the kids during the school holidays, week 2 outings included attendance at the High school athletics championships for Tonga.

Nothing but the best seats for the kids and friends.

The atmosphere was electric.

The kids varried from running shoes to Jesus sandels (bare feet)

Finally a sporting event with shade.

Food stalls around the event and the home woven hats on the boys.

Other entertainment included the second biggest sport on the island netball.

Fresh fast food. If you own a BBQ in Tonga you can open a stall anywhere.

Dylan teaching Sal a thing or two before he breaks a leg. Possibly too many beers.

Lyndon's new Tongan beer cooler.

Farewells to Boonie and Wendy freinds of Sal and Rochelle (who was living it up in Brisbane - with kids)

One of Dylans carrots but they need a little softer soil to grow down ward?