Tongan Times
Avalon
Wed 22 Oct 2003 02:46
     "Nowhere in the world is
patience more of a virtue than here in Tonga." The opening line of the welcome
to Vava'U visitors guide states. "Most things will be late, lost or long time
coming. Yes can mean no. No can mean maybe; and maybe can mean anything at all."
This is fakatonga - the Tongan way. To get mad or impatient is not going to help
your cause either, you just have to go with the flow.
        The
Kingdom of Tonga is probably best known for the size of its King and
the place where every new day begins. Although in his 80s, King
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV has been on a fitness program for the last few year and now
may not be the worlds heaviest monarch. At 13 hours ahead of Greenwich Tonga is
in a timezone of it's own a day ahead of Samoa just to the north, keeping it on
the same day as New Zealand and Australia. All this is of little concern to the
people of Neiafu, the largest town out side the capital Nuku'alofa. Their
country having not had a dominate colonial power has had limited change since
the days when Cook sail here naming them the 'Friendly Islands' (Even
though they plotted to kill him!)
        
Feasting is mandatory for locals and visitors alike. Most nights of the week one
village or another puts on a huge spread complete with dancing and kava
drinking. The food is prepared in the umu (earth oven) and served party style in
small natural plates (shells, bamboo or leaves) eaten with the fingers, a little
different to our Bora Bora feast experience! Sundays are
sacred for the locals where the only activities allowed are church going
and family feasting. Visiting cruisers are asked to respect this by also taking
the day off, doing no vigorous activity, which means not even hanging out
the laundry!
         
Although the King is loved and respected by the people, recent problems with
corruption of government officials has led to the first nation wide
peaceful protest. Marching to protect their rights to freedom of
speech, thousands of people turned out in full traditional dress, singing and
waving large banners.
    To visit all the Islands of Tonga you would need several
years. From our short stay we have seen a small area and are sure that we
will return to sample more of the many wonderful smells, sights
and flavours of this grand little
Kingdom.
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