Back in the Kingdom of Tonga! The first thing we did was attend a feast and floor show. The girls serving the food in the picture are dressed in traditional clothing.
He is not making the face for show that stuff on the plate really is gross, in my opinion.
Yes, I know I got a little sun!
We flew in the night before to Nadi, Fiji. Everyone arrived at about 6 am Saturday, June 12th. We met them at the airport then drove to a beach resort, Natadola Bay. One hour bumpy bus ride and lost of pop music later we arrived at the beach. Isn't it beautiful!
We stopped my the church building in the village, Havaluu, to use the wireless internet about budget stuff. I know, who knew they had wireless in Tonga, I didn't. It wasn't very fast and many times didn't work. While I waited for Jaynie I had some fun with the kids. They each took a turn taking a picture. We had so much fun! In the background the entire time we were there a choir was practicing. If you have never heard Tongans sing you absolutely must. They have the most heavenly voices.
Jaynie and I had some free time before the kids came to so we visited the LDS temple in Nukalofa, Tonga.
This is Jaynie and I at the international terminal at LAX. If you happen to find yourself there the Mexican restaurant behind was so yummy! So let me give you some background. On Saturday June 5th I was packing for Tonga and Fiji and printing out the itinerary. I noticed that our international flight was for Sunday June 6th at 11pm from LAX but, our domestic flight to LAX was Monday June 7th. I was frantically calling Jaynie, who I was going with, no answer. She was boating, earlier I wished I had gone with her. I called the AYS director to sort out our dilemha. Domestic flight changed to Sunday no problem. Our flight to Fiji was pretty uneventful. I didn't sleep for several reasons 1) we were packed like sardines 2) I was too excited 3) I could never find a comfortable position.
We arrived in Nadi, Fiji on Tuesday June 8th. Just before we landed we tried to put our sandals on and our feet were swollen. Behind me is the plane to Tonga.
I am leaving on a tropical adventure on Monday, June 7th. I am sorry if I didn't mention this sooner on my blog, it's of kind been a little chaotic with school ending and Driver's Ed. coming out of my ears. It's a vacation with a twist. I will be working with about 20 teenagers and 4 other adults, yes I put myself in the adults category. Kind of weird, I'm an adult, it's little hard to believe sometimes that I have a job, health insurance, retirement, a car, and a few pieces of furniture to my name. Anyway back to the adventure. We are to construct a library and bus stops. I cannot remember the name of the city in Tonga. I am so excited that my first trip to leave the North American continent takes to me to a place where I can serve others and be close to the beach! I will post all the pictures and tales when I return at the end of the month! Wish me luck speaking Tongan!
So today was the last day of school technically, I still have to go in Friday, my b-day. Let's not get into the depth of humor that is. As with the end of every school year there are yearbook signings. I decided I had some free time so I would go and observe. Have you ever had a dream of working at Disneyland as a character? I have, since the day I discovered there were real people inside those costumes. Today my dream came true minus the costume, strangers, and the sweltering heat. I was sitting on a bench and student after student approached me asking me to sign their yearbook. Even those I had never had in class, just seen around. I felt bad looking at the names others had referred to them as, interesting they didn't seem to mind. Well, tomorrow I conquer turning 27.
