l to r: Senikau, Luana's mother; Luana; Koleti.
Deter & Senikau started TBR;
daughter Luana is currently the manager.
Sunday, 3 August (in USA)
Monday, 4 August (in TONGA)
Since Friday, I've having a wonderful time at Tongan Beach Resort
A.M. Hostess at TBR
Betti setting tables for breakfast
TBR breakfast setup
Self-portrait - first morning at TBR breakfast on the beach
I left some prezzies from my school days (note pads, colored markers, chalk, highlighters, some freebies from car shows - pocket mirrors, pens, key chains - and a couple of "gift packs" from my dentist with Koleti Olukolo, one of the night shift workers, who was practicing her English by talking with me.
Luana's youngest, Liza
Waitresses on the beach around a genuine Tiki torch
l to r in center: Koleti & her daughter
She is a very devoted mother and wants her children to succeed in life. Consequently she speaks only English at home! Guests who have been waited upon by her daughter have remarked on her near-perfect English, and when asked where she learned to speak so fluently she says, "My mom." Koleti has three children ages 2, 5, and a 15-year- old daughter who is an aspiring writer. She wrote something for an essay contest and came in Second Place of all the school children in Vava'u. That is quite a few because the King insists that children start school, and it's the parents burden to get them there.
There are public schools on the big islands, and some missionary schools on smaller islands. The girls seem to do better at school here than the boys, and I think the dropout rate is higher for boys. Also more women seem to work in the service industry; the men tend to work in more rural or in more isolated occupations.
The prints on the wall are some of Koleti's artwork
Anyway, Koleti was very appreciative of the gifts and brought me a gift in return . . . a handcrafted all-natural Tongan art. She grows the mulberry trees from which she peels the bark and, in a family craft taught to her by her mother, treats the bark by soaking in rainwater and beating with wooden tools (sticks & blocks) creates a sort of paper or papyrus on which to draw her designs. She makes the inks from black & red mangrove trees, and uses palm & coconut leaves as brushes. The result is astonishing. I have taken snapshot of the one she gave me, and her work decorates the walls in the Sand Bar - TBR's main gathering place.
Close-up of Koleti's artwork
While I was there, the Governor of Vava'u had a dinner meeting;
important guests were arriving by car, barge & airplane.
Roasting a pig for the Governor's dinner party
Two very excited young waitresses anticipate serving the Governor
I had more excellent dives and I HAD THE DIVE BOAT ALL TO MYSELF for two whole days! Talk about ideal diving. On Sunday, we went whale watching and I had my best experience yet. I saw seven different whales, with many Breaches, Tail Slaps & Fluke Waving./STRONG>
We also did one dive and on the way there, in the distance, were a pair of whales Breaching in tandem, and separately. I counted 15 Breaches in a row! SPECTACULAR. I also recorded whale songs on my underwater camera.
Whale Breach near the boat;
first of two in a row by this whale,
and we saw about 20 more like this today!
It was a sad moment saying good bye to the Tongan Beach Resort staff, who said they really will miss me. (They thought I looked like Kenny Rogers, so I sang a few bars of You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me, Lucille and You Got to Know When to Hold 'Em).
Stevan (Stevani)
Unloading the "Catch of the Day"
Now to go write out a check
TBR Manager & Betti,
who is cousin to David from Hakula Lodge
Nettie, one of the waitresses at TBR
l to r: Steven (Stevani) & unknown groundskeeper
Night cook & Koleti
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