Tonga

Hello

I'm a bit behind with posts at the moment and have decided to jump to where we are now and go backwards.

We're currently on the friendly island of Tonga, so called apparently by Captain James Cooke. The Kingdom of Tonga, and it really is a semi-feudal kingdom, is actually comprised of over a hundred islands but we are only staying on the mainland because we have found a fabulous place to stay (see pictures) and because it costs so much to go to other islands and we are having a budget week after the USA.

Our 'resort', Hai'lala Holiday Resort, is run by Sven who is German but has lived in Tonga since he was 14 years old, and his Tongan wife Carolina or Caroline. They have recently moved their resort (including all the plants) from a different area and there are tons of builders, electricians and members of Carolina's extensive family industriously putting in finishing touches. Sven and Carolina are incredibly, genuinely welcoming which is very refreshing after the 'have a nice day but give me a tip' culture in the US.

This week will be quite uninteresting blog wise because we are just snorkelling, reading and generally chilling out. Hopefully you will be able to see photos of where we are though.

It's winter at the moment here and the water temperature is only (!) 24 degrees C. Think pretty cool bath water. I think normal UK cold water is 20 degrees. I have ventured for one snorkel and it was fine once you were in. The New Zealanders here think the water is pretty warm but then they are coming from deepest winter and keep telling us of all the merino thermal vests we will need to get when we arrive in Auckland.

Yesterday evening we went to the next resort along the beach which was hosting a buffet of traditional food and dancing. The dancing was awesome. The boys seem to have the more interesting parts, including the Tongan version of the Hukka (the Sipi Tau I think) as well as performing the Mauri Hukka. One of the girls who worked in that resort performed fire Poi with balls of fire at either end of two pieces of string that she whirled around her and a ten year old boy performed with a baton on fire at either end (I could barely watch).

One dance required audience participation and Charlotte (with camera) made herself very scarce whilst the Tongan dancers made us go up on stage. I'll get her back.