View Around Tongatapu in a larger map So, you’ve landed on the main isle of Tonga: Tongatapu, taken the 40-minute taxi from the airport through coconut and taro fields, serenaded by the dulcet CD strains of ukulele and Pacific song, peering wide-eyed through the window as signs of a town approach and then … probably…
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Today’s guest post is from Amy, who recently delivered a beautiful baby girl named ‘Iva in Nuku’alofa’s public hospital. I asked if she would be willing to share her very unique story, and happily, she has agreed to do so! So without further ado, here is Amy’s post. March 27, 2013 I initially came to Tonga…
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It has been a month since my last post — about time to add something new! So, Sam and I left Tonga on February 23rd, and due to the magic of time zones, arrived the same day in the US-of-A. It is wonderful to see friends and family members on the gulf coast (where we…
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After two years of livin’ life large in the Kingdom of T, here’s ten cultural, humorous, endearing and/or or otherwise baffling customs Sam and I have found of interest: 1. Tongan Pop Radio Tonga is famous for its conservative values. Indeed, old-school Christianity is the prevalent religion here, which is a whole other point perhaps…
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Christmas in Tonga is refreshingly un-materialistic Sure, there are the simultaneously bizarre, yet amusing store fronts dotting the dusty strip of downtown Nuku’alofa, and families often shop for a gift or two for the children, but otherwise, Christmas is all about family, church and community (and a little Christmas Eve bingo, natch). An interesting addition to…
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I hate getting pushed around by boobs. Literally. Enormous, springy ones at that. This might sound like two cycles from Nirvana for some, but for me, not so much. Especially when I’m innocently standing in line at Molisi, soggy from shoes up thanks to the rain gushing outside, and a lady (not the one featured…
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They Fish! Got back a few days ago from a two-week jaunt with my honey to Cambodia and Hong Kong. Work conference for him, part work, part sight-seeing for me. I plan on posting more on that later, but in the meantime, here’s a few more thoughts on life in the Kingdom that, upon returning,…
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I’ve been so busy the past few weeks that I’ve neglected my blog posts, not to mention the not-so-inspired cooking of late. But the other day, I had a craving for fish that could not be quelled. The afternoon was sunny, with a mild, salty breeze that just begs for a bike ride into town,…
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Having lived in Tonga for over a year at this point, I thought I would do a short post on a few of my favorite things about living in Tonga. 1. The Kids. Tongan children are the cutest, friendliest, happiest kids I’ve ever seen. Last week, I volunteered at a Rotary fair and did a…
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So the “Sexy Disco” t-shirt from the other day gladdened my heart so much that I had an idea. I should document all of those awesome, hilarious or otherwise noteworthy Tonga T-shirts that are sported as regular wear here in the Big Pineapple. If I can get a picture of them, I’ll post them here. But…
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