It’s three weeks today since we were transported from the shores of New Zealand to the South Pacific shores of Tongatapu, into a completely different world. In many ways, it still seems quite surreal. In other ways, it’s starting to feel more real as we are ‘doing life’ here in Nuku’alofa.
Continue reading “Three Weeks On…”Month: July 2019
Endure or Enjoy?
Over the past week, I have had conversations with a number of volunteers from different countries. As I had so many questions to ask them, I discovered different viewpoints and attitudes towards their assignments here in Tonga. I heard comments like ‘I’m not exactly loving it here’, but ‘it is what it is’. Some felt they weren’t having much of an impact, and some couldn’t wait to get home again. –
Continue reading “Endure or Enjoy?”Right Next to the Big Mango Tree
This is a strange phenomenon in Tonga. There are no street names, street addresses, no mailboxes or mail distribution services. I just can’t get my head around this. Okay, the big main roads have names, and some companies have PO boxes. But that’s it. So, how do people identify where they live? A Tongan’s answer to this would be: “Everybody just knows!” – But what about those like us Palangi who don’t know? Therefore, if you ask for or give directions, it might sound something like this: “Down that little road right next to the big mango tree, in the house where Aunt Tana used to live. You know?!” Or: “All the way along the waterfront, around the King’s palace, past the yellow house, after ‘Little Italy’, the top apartment of the doctor’s house. You know!?” – So, imagine we call a taxi. Where do we live? In Fasi (suburb). Turn left off Salote Road by the computer shop, towards the sea. It’s the back one of the twin houses, Peter’s house.” And the taxi driver says: “Ah yes, I know!”
Continue reading “Right Next to the Big Mango Tree”No Occasion Missed for a Party
Getting up voluntarily at 5.15am for a ‘fun-run’ isn’t everyone’s cup of tea! But I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to have my first run in Tonga!
While still dark, arriving at the Nuku’alofa waterfront, there were already a sizeable bunch of people registered and ready for take-off.
Read more partying!Sundays: Closed.
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Things we love about the Tongan people:They are passionate, emotional people – they ‘wear their heart on their sleeve’ and are very open.They are deeply spiritual people. They love singing, they love laughing, they love life.
Continue reading “Sundays: Closed.”LOFI and SAPENE
On the third day in, we are well, but still pretty overwhelmed. The culture shock is massive, as is the information overload, but the beautiful people of Tonga make up for it all. We will love well here, and be well loved.
Continue reading “LOFI and SAPENE”First Impressions – Tonga
We know you are all waiting for our first post from Tonga.
Well, here it is. It’s the first evening in our new house and environment, and I have to be honest, I am completely overwhelmed by so many new impressions, new people, new climate, new lifestyle, new everything. Talking about culture shock! It’s BIG!
Continue reading “First Impressions – Tonga”A big Milestone
At the end of last week, Rolf had his last day at work – at the company where he had worked for the last 24 years, of which the last nine years as CEO.
His staff expressed how much they appreciated and will miss him, and at the same time how inspiring this next step is.