Name the only kingdom in the South Pacific?

Since our last post, we have lost a full day as we crossed the International Date Line. And since I, Vialula, who is geographically challenged and can barely find her cabin, here is the definition from the National Ocean Service ...

The International Date Line, established in 1884, passes through the mid-Pacific Ocean and roughly follows a 180 degrees longitude north-south line on the Earth. It is located halfway round the world from the prime meridian—the zero degrees longitude established in Greenwich, England, in 1852.

There you have it.  It was really discombobulating, but as our neighbor's daughter who lives in New Zealand told us, "home is yesterday plus 7 hours".  So as I am typing this, it is 2/25/19 at 11:47 a.m. For most of you reading this at home, it is yesterday, 2/24/19 at 3:47 in the afternoon.  We aren't quite to New Zealand yet.  We will pull into Auckland tomorrow morning.

I know you are wondering where we've been since Bora Bora and the answer is the same answer to the question in the subject line ....what is the only kingdom in the South Pacific?

Answer:  The Kingdom of Tonga

We arrived in Tonga on Saturday, Feb 24th (forget the date .... it'll only confuse you, as it does me!)  We pulled into port at 8:00 and went ashore after we were cleared by the port officials.  Today's excursion saw LeRoy and me and 24 others load into an open air bus that had the steering wheel on the right side (wrong), and the bus driver drove in the left lane (right, but wrong!)  Confused?  We are too! 

This was the most flat of the islands we have visited in the South Pacific, though there is volcanic rock along the shore.  The people are the friendliest we've met so far, but this is fitting as they are called the "Friendly Islands"!  Something very unique about the kingdom is that it is mainly Christian.  The people are very conservative and modest!  No PDA's.  A friend at dinner told us that their guide said that the decree had gone forth saying that if you see someone who looks like a visitor or is lost that you must stop and help them.  If they are visiting, you should offer them food and your best hospitality including your best food.  Every male over 16 is given some land so that he can take care of his family.  These are the things that stood out to me.

We kayaked from THIS shore to THAT island!

Back to our 3 hour tour.  It was a kayaking adventure led by one of the great distance swimmers on the island!  (she is an accomplished kayak-er, too!)  There were 5 of the guides in single person kayaks, and we all loaded up at Popua Beach into two person kayaks.  LeRoy was in the back, and I was in the front. He steered and tried to keep me in sync.  I had never kayaked before, but was trying to keep time to the theme from "Hawaii Five O" as I paddled.  It was fun!  Our daughter, Melba Jean, told us to take some Motrin before we left as our shoulders and backs would be very sore at day's end.  (Thank goodness we listened).  We paddled through the ocean, past a couple of wrecks, about a half mile out to an island called "Pangaimotu"where "Big Mama's Yacht Club" was located.  Big Mama runs the little island and its beautiful resort.  It was simple AND fantastic.  Lush coconut palm trees were swaying & bending over the coast, and the water was so many varieties of blue, you can't imagine!  Everything from turquoise to cerulean to Prussian blue (yes ... I've been taking watercolor classes!)  

The perfect post card for Big Mama's Yacht Club!

While there, we got to snorkel at an old wreck. The water was so warm and clear. We saw some beautiful sponges on the ocean floor, some electric blue fish, some striped yellow fish, some clown fish.  It was awesome to see "under the sea", and LeRoy captured lots of it on video, too!  One of the fish was very curious about his camera, and it flirted with and taunted him constantly!  Unbelievable .... somebody pinch me!

The fish that taunted LeRoy!

Big Mama served up lunch for us while we were there.  I had the best cheeseburger and fries, and LeRoy had fish and chips (yes, we ate every last bite!)  Delicious!  After that, we walked around the island, and made some more pictures (to get our daily quota of 150 pictures!) before suiting back up in our vests to head back.  

How many blues today?

Red peppers everywhere!

Going back was a bit more difficult as the winds had picked up and it was coming across us from the side causing the waves to be more choppy.  Our merry band of kayakers were all over the place.  The guides looked like cowboys trying to keep the herd together!  We made it back though and not too much worse for wear.  It was a tremendous adventure!

When our tour was over, we headed into town where we saw the Royal Palace, and we took a stroll through the market.  The thing we noticed first and foremost was the huge quantities of red chili peppers.  Must be their season!  The second thing we noticed were these big stalks that had bunches of plantains on them (imagine large bananas).  The third thing we noticed was the large quantities of women's undergarments being sold on tables right next to the aforementioned items!  There were stacks of bras and panties being sold right alongside the vegetables and fruits!  Unusual to us, but normal to them, I'd say! 

Our new whale's tail carving by Nuni

We got a cold drink, and LeRoy sampled the local beer at a little pub called "Friends" where I wrote a few postcards before heading back to the ship.  Everyone on the ship always races to the free wi-fi spots when we get ashore.  This was one such place, but as best as we could tell wi-fi was imaginary, but the drinks were ice cold which was more than enough compensation.

There were lots of vendors at the ship's port, and we stopped in to shop.  Items included hand carved wooden items.  Whale's tails are particularly popular.  They are a sign of friendship and happy family or something like that.  LeRoy found one he really liked, and you can see a picture below of me with the artist, Nuni (pronounced Noo-nee), and LeRoy's whale tail.  They were also hand made necklaces with pendants made of whale bone.  They were expensive, while the ones made of cow bone were less so.  Lots of shell jewelry, too.

Tonga is definitely one of our favorite stops thus far.  We would love to come back here to see more of the island, learn more of the history, etc.  Maybe some day.  We are looking forward to Auckland in a couple days.  Until then, know we are well, and we pray the rain stops at home.  Thanks to all who are keeping the home fires burning ....