Day 1 in Tonga

We arrived safely in Tonga at about 11pm Canberra time, 2am Tonga time. Most of the group cleared customs quickly, even chilly who was x-rayed and had to open all his bags (obviously looked suspicious).  our two Goulbournnites were however stuck in a slow queue and took about half an hour longer than the rest to get through immigration/customs. Toni was there to meet us with his two mini buses and off we went to Toni's Guest House, closely followed by a little truck/ute type vehicle with all our luggage.

We have two houses to accommodate the 15 of us, in our own compound. We were all tucked up in bed by 4am and did not need much rocking after the long day. One house has become the breakfast house and the other the evening cocktails and nightcaps house. Yes we all acquired some medicinal liquids at duty free.  Single malts are in abundance and we also have a couple of gin and tonic suppers and a brandy fan. First night's consumption indicates we may run out of medicine within the first week.

Day one was spent familiarising ourselves with the local scene.  We had a quick tour of the sites and then visited the school where we planned our work tasks and teams. The parents and teachers put on a welcome lunch that would have easily fed 50 people.  There were dishes of just about everything Tongan and we all did our duty and ate as much as possible, but had to surrender. After lunch we visited the town and got our selves local sim cards and stacked up with essential (snacks and beer).

Our first evening was another feast.  This time a BBQ with the Rotary Club of Nuku'alofa.  Also attending the meeting were visiting Rotarians from Singapore and New Zealand, as well as a guest from the Australian High Commission and her husband, and a PACE exchange student from the Blue Mountains.  So we had an excellent evening of international fellowship.  President Paul said some very moving words about our project, and the reps of the Merimbula, Tuggeranong, and Jerrabomberra exchanged banners with Nuku'alofa. (Our members from Belconnen and Goulbourn clubs will be sending their club banners later).

We will attempt to post some photos.  However we first want to ensure this post makes it to publishing.  Our internet access looks like being limited to the guest house and is not very fast, so our blogs may be intermittent and not as comprehensive as we hoped.  But we will keep trying.

The TONGA RAWCS Team