Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Vava'u Vacation:)


Sharing Tongan culture with Americans back home is one of the three main missions of Peace Corps. What better way to teach about the Kingdom of Tonga than to have friends and family come and experience island life with you firsthand? I have been extremely fortunate to have had my mother and brother visit last August, my friend Leanne stop through on her way home from Antarctica in March, my father visit just this past May, and most recently three of my best childhood friends come and visit. The time, cost, and effort it takes to get to the Kingdom of Tonga is significant, and I feel extremely fortunate to have had friends and family willing to make the commitment to come and see what I've been up to on this tiny little island. My friends and family are also fortunate in that I happen to live in one of the most incredible places in the world. Here's a glimpse at what we got up to over the past week:

Day One:

Wednesday, August 20th was our first full day together and was spent swimming, lounging and catching up at the Tongan Beach resort. We had a delicious lunch of the meatloaf, green bean salad and potato salad- all left over from the king's dinner the previous evening. The meal was literally fit for a king – and free! Coincidently right after we finished our meal the King & co. made their way past the island on a boat making their way back from a day of island hopping.





Wednesday night we had an amazing dinner at the Dancing Rooster and the girls had their first taste of traditional Tongan food and thankfully found it to their liking! After dinner we went to the Block Party that was held to celebrate the recent coronation of King George Tupou IV in downtown Neiafu, literally right outside the door of our backpacker’s accommodation. Making our way around the block we got to see traditional Tongan dancing and some not so traditional Tongan dancing, all of which was highly entertaining.




Day Two:

Thursday, August 21st was spent in my village. The girls got to see my house (such as it is), meet my neighbors, visit the computer lab where I work, and generally get a taste of "village life". Luckily that day we were performing the Lakalaka for the third and final time at the airport to send off King George Tupou IV on the end of his kingdom wide tour celebrating his recent coronation. The girls had their own little private performance of our song & dance routine and also got to see the king up close!










Thursday night was attended the 25th Annual Neiafu Public Library Fundraiser held at the Paradise Hotel. My PC coordinator and his band were playing at the event so we got to show off our incredible dance moves whilst supporting a good cause.




Day Three:

Friday, August 22nd we chartered the yacht Orion and spent the day beaching, kayaking, caving and sailing among countless dolphins- a definite highlight.






Day Four:

Saturday, August 23rd we made our way to Kenutu for a night of camping with a small group of other volunteers. The picturesque uninhabited island is one of my favorite spots in Vava'u and camping there is one of my favorite things to do. I'm glad I had the opportunity to share such an incredible experience with the girls.




Day Five:

Sunday, August 24th after swimming and beaching all day we made our way back from Kenutu on a little Tongan wooden boat and quickly showered before heading to dinner at my friend Jason's house for some traditional Japanese food. We have a group of volunteers leaving soon so the dinner served as an informal going away party.


Day Six:

Monday, August 25th was undoubtedly the best day ever. We went out with Dolphin Pacific Diving in the hopes of swimming with humpback whales. Tonga is one of the only places in the world that swimming with humpback whales in not prohibited. I did not have my hopes up as I did not want to be disappointed if we didn't see anything. Not only was I a little nervous about participating in such a seemingly dangerous and extreme activity, but I have mixed emotions regarding the ethics of whale swimming, as whales in Tonga are here for the sole purpose of breeding and if they waste energy avoiding boats and swimmers they may not have enough strength to return to the Antarctic to feed.

Early on in the day we got word that there were whales near 'Euaeiki, the island where we were to spend the night at Treasure Island Eco Resort. Sure enough we spent the day observing a mother, calf and escort and got extremely close (perhaps a little too close!) to the whales. Swimming with whales was an indescribable rush and I am so happy that we had such a great day, as other people we spoke with who went out with other operators had had very little luck. Typical whale watching is extremely hit or miss so successful whale swimming experiences are an even more dubious mission. Not only were we able to see whales breaching, fin slapping and spy hopping repeatedly, but we were able to get in the water and see whales swim by (and below!) us. Ultimately I think that whale watching and whale swim is beneficial for the whales, as the financial gain Tonga receives through tourism is so great there is little chance Japan will ever be allowed to hunt whales in Tongan waters.




Because our tour group had had such a successful morning with the whales we were able to spend the majority of the afternoon snorkeling and lounging around the island of 'Euakafa. Later in the afternoon we were dropped off at Treasure Island Resort on 'Euaeiki and had an incredible evening fine dining, star gazing, and of course, continuing to catch one another on the past eight months!



Day Seven

Tuesday, August 26th we made our way back to the mainland for some serious errands. All souvenirs and gifts to bring back home were purchased. We ended our trip with our customary home cooked Mexican meal. I loved that the previous evening we had steak for dinner at one of the nicest resorts in Tonga and there we were making tacos at the backpackers and were just as content– we truly are a malleable group! It was the perfect end to a perfect week together, we honestly couldn't have asked for more!


For various reasons the four of us were all in need of a getaway and some quality time together. I know I didn't have to travel as great a distance as everyone else for the trip but ultimately my time spent with them engaging in "faka-palangi" activities was a mental holiday for sure. We are all so much better off for having spent the past week sailing, sunning, star gazing, and smiling together.


I realized our last night together that from this point on in our lives nothing is going to get any easier and that the difficulties and stresses we're going through now are just preparing for what is yet to come. I know this is a fairly discouraging realization to share, however, it has reaffirmed my belief of the importance of vacations and enjoying life to the fullest whenever possible. My oh my am I lucky to have lived in a place where it's easy to celebrate the little things in life on a daily basis while living in an setting that could easily be described as tropical paradise :)


Having the opportunity to share with people from home where I live, what I do, and introducing them to the Peace Corps Volunteers and Tongans who have become my network of support here is extremely important. I know that because I have been able to bridge both worlds together, so to speak, it will be easier to readjust to life back home upon my return to the states and am extremely grateful.


I am here until December, anyone else in need a vacation?!