The flight route was a little awry, handling four little kids at the airport means whatever time you have left to get to the gate, isn’t enough.

At Sydney airport Sesilia wanted to go to the toilets, so we split up after customs and ‘Ofa took off with Sesilia to find the toilets while I gathered what was left of the unpacked carry-on and shuttled the two elder ones to our gate (and geezzz how far away it was.)

Renovation work at Sydney International meant that we entered the ‘system’ at one end, to find the gate was at the ‘other’ end of the gate system.

They closed the boarding gate behind us, as the last travellers down the ramp.

In Auckland.

Disembarking in Auckland was another adventure with Sisitoutai needing to go to the toilet so we split again, going separate ways to find toilets.

After those niceties out of the way, the gate allocation doesn’t exist for the flight from Auckland to Tonga, but we observe a number of the ‘mob’ hanging around a general area.

Aahhh, this must be where the frequent flyers hang-out.

1st Night.

One has  but to experience each time, reminders are not enough.

Other than meeting the clan again, having a huge ‘umu dinner at 10:00 at night (wonder why Tongans are big?,) the memorable thing about returning was that first night-time shower.

I near dislocated my shoulders flapping my hands scrubbing like mad in the vain hope to fool my body into thinking that we were actually warm and the buttocks et. al. were not really freezing cold from the water.

There was a quick cure to laziness. Note to self: for the rest of the stay, revert to the hot water in bucket to warm up the cold water and bath from the bucket.

Lesson #1: Learn how to bath from a bucket in the comfort of your shower with running hot-water.

1st Day.

Were we supposed to have done something today ? Most things disappeared in a haze since we’re quite jet lagged from caring for the kids and the mad rush.

Had the obligatory visit to the clan coinciding with (surprise?) a huge ‘umu lunch and the obligatory spit-pig. Whilst those who can control themselves waited for lunch, the younger generation mum’s gorged themselves on the poor pig, leaving the other meat nice and intact.

The young kids were practising their dance for the gathering, although it seemed that at this rate, 100 dances will have been tried, and none known by the day. Music was hip to listen to.

We have the obligatory banana under the mango tree, and Sesilia was on our third trip to get more bananas when we had the uncomfortable experience of being snapped by one of the dogs. Mangy mutt masquerading as a nice dog snuck up quietly and took a big bite on my leg. Mangy critter didn’t even growl until after he’d taken his bite.

Fortunately the bite went on two layers of pants cloth and didn’t draw blood (or infect) but geezzz dogs have a strong jaw snap.

Lesson #2: Dogs that bite don’t always growl before they bite you.

2nd Day.

Quick Note: We’re tying up the dogs, and in the process we get a daylight snap.

Dog #2 takes another snap. Broad daylight attack, we’ve finished tying up the placid nice dog when another dog walks around me quietly and takes a snap.

Not as good a grab at me as the previous bite, but no pants in the way so this bite took some blood if not flesh.

Lesson #3: Wear long pants around dogs, something strong like corduroy/denim seems a good idea.

As I continue my mundane, but necessary, rituals of getting up in the morning slogging the way to the train station to get to work and back it’s good to be reminded of the mortality that is life. Lu’isa Tae Kami passed away over the week-end and having lived her life to the max, in such a short time, she’s given those around her a great opportunity to reflect on their own mortality, and purpose in life.

16 August 11:40pm... Gone Home...

Tae passed on in her sleep at 11:40pm this evening. She mentioned this morning she might be gone by midnight and kept her word. Heaven must be buzzing as she flies through its gates new body, new heart and spirit intact.

She has asked that the theme for her service be taken from the Bible -  Romans chapter 8 - "the whole chapter". Tonight I can only think of the verse: All things work for good for those who love the Lord, who are called according to His purpose...

You can follow the celebration of life, funeral proceedings on the above page. You can also find out a heck of a lot about her journey from the site, and on her Bebo page.  Included in the links on her Bebo page should be heaps of videos from all over the place (including Tonga and NZ Television) documenting her life and her influence on the Tonga and Pasifika communities.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Taholo and Sina, siblings and the rest of the clan and very very extended family from Tae’s ‘family.’

Tae’s journey with cancer has been draining and fullfilling for her immediate family and a new extended extended family that have grown out of her needs but especially because of the composure and faith she has shown “forged in fire.”

Walk on Walk Strong Tae, and may we meet with you again.

Must have been a translation problem somewhere along the way.

TONGAN RUGBY UNION CHAIR ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION

The suspended CEO of the TRU Siosaia Fonua...says the Court is poised to bring in an administrator from the International Rugby Board for the next six months. (listen)

That was the suspended CEO of the TRU Saia Fonua.

But Sangstar Saulala says he's hoping his resignation will enable the Board to get on with business without any more involvement from the Court or the I R B.

He says Tonga's outstanding performance at the World Cup and in Sevens is a vindication of his policy to direct more funds to players. (listen)

Tell me again which of the players in which "he" invested were part of the Rugby World Cup Team? There sure was a lot of money disappearing (and under investigation) that supposedly went to local competitions, and we had so many of these players graduate to the World Cup Team? Or did Nili and 99% of our successful team all hail from overseas contracts?

Translation: The ride was fun while it lasted, but the rides derailed and its time to get off.

Maybe your election results will vindicate your position. The move to candidature in Tongatapu (as opposed to his last foray as a candidate for Vava'u) might be helpful (since this is where much of the Rugby money went) or not.

Just a ramble here that I thought would be good to get down in writing, even if it takes someone better to iron out the details.

The Government of Tonga is so concerned about the health of its citizenry that it has decided to prevent the importation of meat produce by individuals for their own consumption.

Meanwhile, heaps of 'copy' products come into the country touting to be from brands such as Coca Cola, Colgate to name a few consumables. Millions more of dollars are being spent by citizenry on eating foodstuff that no-one knows of their origins and there's heaps of Government regulation that can better control these 'copy' foodstuffs, but for some reason meat from New Zealand seems to be more interesting for Government.

We've been eating noodles with unknown content, candy that changes the colour of your mouth and tongue. We're even increasing consumption of baby products from 'copy' merchants.

Hard to see why the New Zealand meat market is so critical for citizenry health when we don't have knowledge of any food poisoning from previous importation practices. Of course the Ministry of Health can recall/ban products that overseas Governments have banned, but why is this part of protecting citizens reactive, but the NZ meat proactive?

Makes one wonder whether there's any truth in the paranoia assertions that someone up the Government customs foodchain is benefiting financially.

The Uike Lotu is over, but now we're into the cycle in the Free Wesleyan Calendar called the "Pole" talitali malanga. In the "Pole" system, a family would ballot for opportunities (sic) to host the preacher (with or without) the church for a meal and discussions.

In the evolution of the Tongan Culture, the talitali malanga has become a serious affair. At our house, Mama Bear and Papa Bear host the Sapate Ako afternoon service. This Sunday, in the Free Wesleyan Calendar, is dedicated to promotion of education and the Free Wesleyan School System. Part of the day's program is for speakers to be allocated from the School System office to present speeches on various topics relating to education.

For the Ma'ufanga, kai fa'o, congregation this usually means a packed house on Sunday afternoon where children are dressed in their school uniforms and attend to listen to all these inspiring speeches (not.) After which, they can come on over to 'Umusii to Ma'ake lahi and Sesi lahi's residence for a huge feast.

Of course preparations begin well in advance, and fortunately for Ma'ake he's tended his fields and animals throughout the year so much of the expense such as the cow for the meat and food on the table comes from the fruit's of his own hands.

But food preparations aren't things that you can keep stored in the fridge for ever, so a lot of work has to be completed in a very short amount of time. This leads to strange things like boys camped around the front of a truck light digging up a huge grave hole for the ngoto 'umu.

We got late to church by about 10 minutes on Sunday so whilst we walked in the congregation and choir finished off the 1st hymn and we walk into the introductory/evocation(?) prayer.

Looking around, it looks as if we are early with nearly half the space still available.

The ‘setuata’ (head steward) starts his prayer and after a few nods, he’s still going. At the end of the program, it seems quite real that this prayer was the longest thing out.

I remember, in an earlier life, walking into another church service, in another town. The congregation were ‘tardy’ in getting to the service, I think we had visiting speakers that day, and when the chair of the program started with prayer, he prayed on and on and on, until the church was filled up.

Must have been some powerful prayers that day. This day, no one came in after us. God must have been out ?

Tonga-now, reborn TongaReview.com has an article on 'Eua's new water system.

$3m 'Eua Water System produces muddy water

25/03/2008 12:16:18 p.m.

It has only been a week since the launch of the ‘Eua water system by His Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka, and already the public are complaining about the muddy and unclean water produced by the new water system.

I thought it looked like someone had a glass of Orange Juice in the sink.

Minister of Finance asked to walk, and you have to wonder how long the Minister had been waiting for the 'cut-off' date to be rung?

Unfortunately for the former Minister of Finance, who seems to have been within the few generally respected both in and out of government, he was just too willing to let the opposition thinking be aired, and especially on the ever popular Tonga-Now (morphed) Tonga Review.

Good luck to Mssrs 'Utoikamanu and his family.

After a long week of preparations for the now passed Sapate Ako Fakaafe, we're all ready to cool down and relax. Apparently, 'Ofa got a huge box of ice-cream (note the word "box" not "tub" or "bucket", but "box") and everyone dug into it during the day, but most especially my son.

This time we went to a beach at Ha'ateiho (?) and the beach was just gorgeous, hidden away and a bit of a trudge to get to, but the sand was clean, white, and the water absolutely cold in the heat.

Sisitoutai broke loose from the mob as soon as we set foot on the sand, and he didn't get out until he was carried out of the water screaming and kicking.

Kid Talk: Daddy, daddy, .... 'Misi ... water

Definitely a beach we recommend you visit, next time your in town. Unfortunately, only for those who can walk unaided, and as climbing back up will require some negotiating rocks.

We went along with two heavy mum's carrying their babies, so the trek isn't impossible but if you've got gout or a bung knee then I suggest trying out another beach here in Tonga (or going on the diet to lighten up life for the knee.) 'Ofa brought along Sesilia who just loved not being able to walk properly on the sand (not that she can walk properly anyway) and Saane brought along Ma'ake who also slept part of the time but loved looking around in the new space.

We move from public display of incompetence by the Police Officers not chasing down the speedster on mainstreet, to downright corruption in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

O4's auntie left this week, and one of the kids had overstayed her visa by a month (the kid came earlier for the vacation.) At the Immigration check-point she was told to pay the Tonga fee of TOP$30.00. She had given all her local currency away, and only had US Dollars. I Immigration officer told her, give me what you got and I'll get change for you from outside later.

USD$100.00 equates TOP$200.00 for a TOP$30.00 fee.

Suffice it to say, O4's auntie said bye-bye to her change and some Immigration Officer is laughing herself silly.

It makes us wonder how many unsuspecting tourists have been treated likewise by the improved Public Sector Employees?