Tonga

We arrived in the Vava'u group of Tonga on August 1st, which was really August 2nd, because we crossed the date line. It was a Sunday, so we had to stay aboard and could not check in. We hoisted our yellow quarantine flag and planned to check in the next day. Alas, that was the King's birthday (yes Tonga is a Kingdom), no chance of checking in either. Finally on Tuesday we went to the customs dock, filled out all the paperwork, hoisted the Tongan flag and were legal. To celebrate we went out for dinner on shore.

Two and a half weeks later we are still anchored in the same spot, in front of Neiafu village, the capital of this island group, and loving our life here.

We are just finished with this school year, so we have about three weeks before our next year starts....!! Jet did a research report on Black Pearls as a final project. We visited two pearl farms in the Tuamotos and the Pearl Museum in Papeete, where she gathered her materials. Jet's favored subject this year was Algebra, but her most improved one was Spelling. Hein loved Mythology and made great strides with his compositions. Eltjo's favorite subjects were cursive writing and spelling. He can read quite well by now, but maintains that he does not like reading.

We made 'official' report cards for the three of them, reflecting on their acquired skills and 'need to work on' subjects. Then we had a feast and they received 'graduation' presents.

Life after school

For Ewout's birthday Hein wrote him a card in the style that we usually do for the children. It was rather funny, it went as follows: Dear Dad, You're becoming big and strong, there are many new things you can do. You are especially good in team operations and letting Mom do new things. You can work on empathy and less computer time. Love Hein.

There is a fantastic Austrian bakery here in town. For Ewout's birthday we had breakfast there. We also had boat T-shirts made for his B-day. He was not as enthusiastic as the rest of the family, because we all chose different colors, but we liked them and we needed some new clothes.

Back and Front of our new Bravado shirts

The weather has been overcast and rainy. We miss the beautiful French Polynesian weather. The anchorage is really full, which is lovely because there are so many kids boats. We met a new boat called 'All the Colours'. They have been cruising for 5 years!! They started in the Mediterranean, crossed the Atlantic, did Brazil and the Amazon River, the Caribbean, crossed the Pacific and are now here. And we thought that we were adventurous!!

Everyone is busy with the ferry disaster. Has that been on the news in the rest of the world? An inter-island ferry called Princess Ashika sunk and all the women and children on it drowned because they were asleep down below. Very sad. There are a number of fund-raising events organized for the families and all the 'yachties' try to participate as much as they can.

We have become members of the local library. It is a nice change that we can speak and read English again. The Tongans are very friendly. The boys wear skirts for their school uniforms!! If a family has 5 sons (or any number of sons and no daughters) they raise the youngest son as a girl. So there are quite a few she-males here. We went to the hairdresser and our hair was cut by a man with his hand and toe-nails painted red and pink. The woman in the shop referred to him as she. Interesting? He cut our hair quite nicely, Jet and I had not been to a hairdresser since March 3 in Mexico....!

The Peerys (right hand side, blue patch in top of tiny sail) racing in between all the *much* bigger boats

Our dinghy, The Peerys, with Skipper Eltjo and his crew Ewout won second place in a local sailing race. Eltjo was so proud, he was still dancing while brushing his teeth that night. He won a coupon for five smoothies at a local cafe. Next week Skipper Hein wants to participate in the race, we will keep you informed how he fares.

Skipper Eltjo and crew Ewout.

Bravadites wishing you well from Tonga.