Tongan Welcome Parties
Jackamy
Paul & Derry Harper
Tue 29 Jun 2010 00:03
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Tuesday 29th June
The first of the welcome parties
was held at the Puataukanave Hotel. It involved a buffet and some traditional
dancing from countries all over the South Pacific. There was also a local band
who provided some 'Kava'. Kava is made from the root of the ginger plant which
is then soaked and strained and then presented in coconut shells while sitting
cross legged. It looks like dishwater but tastes much worse!
 The band with the Kava taking
pride of place in the centre
 Paul and Steve enjoyed the
Kava
 Judging by Mark's face
he wasn't too keen!
 The next party was held at Ano
Beach, the destination for our dinghy race
 Tongan Feast
The traditional Tongan Feast
consisted of numerous dishes, probably 10 or more, ranging from suckling pig
(cooked in an undergroud pit called an 'umu'), all types of tropical fish,
breadfruit, taro, yams and meat served in palm leaf parcels. The quantities were
gargantuan! There was no cutlery provided so we just had to dive in with our
hands, it was very interesting!
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