Tonga

Helen: So we made it to Tonga. Or, more properly, the Kingdom of Tonga. There are pictures of the King in the streets, so I think they take it quite seriously. They just had a coronation in July - King George V.

Oh, it's such a relief to be in Tonga. We're nearly there! Have to say, first impressions of Tonga aren't amazing - looks pretty much like most other tropical islands we've been to so far, except there aren't any mountains :( Apparently most of what there is to see is uninhabited islands and whales. Both of which you need a boat for. And now we're land bound for 6 weeks til we hook up with Yamana again for the trip to NZ. Bugger! Oh well - we met some yachties this morning at the internet cafe (where else? Internet cafes, laundries and happy hours are, indeed, the spiritual homes of most boat people) and one offered to take us whale watching on Thursday - apparently there are hundreds of Humpback whales here - they come every year from the Arctic to have their babies. Should be amazing to see them...but also a bit scary - we'll be on a 47 foot boat and the whales are often 80 foot long!

We're staying in a funny little lodge - bit like staying in someone's front room - the lady's a little eccentric, but very friendly. She wears normal clothes...but there are lots of people here who wear traditional 'lava lavas' (sarongs) with a kind of woven mat over the top - hard to describe - I'll try to get a photo so you understand!

That's all for now
Lots of love
H&Cxx