CONGRATULATIONS SHARI & JOHN!!!

Well done John. Great catch!

And great rock.

Another round of exams: DONE

Tonga data collection and member visit

Officially, Tonga is the toughest Pacific location I have visited. Very basic and glamour-free.

But between you and me, (and everyone else I have spoken to in the last 2 weeks) Tonga is my all time favourite Pacific location. I LOVE it! In a very deep and raunchy way. Ok, not raunchy. But a lot!

The riots in November last year have had a big impact and it would be very tough to live on Tongatapu. There are a number of factors that will soon culminate in a heartbreaking 'loss of innocence' for this little kingdom but such a genuine, stripped back, traditional and big hearted place has got me lovestruck.

For me, first there was work to do:


Talamahu markets


Ocean of Light school


I met with Aussies and Kiwis and toured the hospital and a school. The newest assignee at the Australia High Commission and I visited the local market, makeshift supermarkets, browsed the half dozen or so books in the book shop, dodged chickens and pigs on our drive to the south coast of the island, discovered REAL icecream and tested a few 'reputable' restaurants. I heard from some spouses about the hardships of trying to find cheese.

Friends Cafe

Then there was not-so-work.

Pangaimotu jetty

I spent Sunday on Pangaimotu on the waters edge.

WIth a few hours at Big Mama's for fish and chips, beer and some people watching.

View from Big Mama's 'yaucht club'


I met some lovely people, with whom the nightlife was investigated.

And made some friends I plan to keep.

Now I'm plotting the holiday I must take my husband back for, before destiny gets her gruesome grip on my charming little pacific gem.

Good Headline - But....

'We'll destroy hoons' cars - and video it'

Screams the Herald - I'm sure in an article that has been written straight from the government press release - government press releases are so handy, it saves having to do any journalistic work yourself, the spin doctors in Governor Macquarie Tower do it all for you.

Then Hark! I hear a researcher into Modified Car Culture from UWS (OK that did make me giggle). 1/4 of 1% of accidents caused by modified cars - but don't the hoons cause all the accidents? Why isn't the government threating to destroy the pedestrian killing, environment killing, urban 4WD of Mosman - guess trashing a hotted up civic is a better headline then actually doing things about road safety.

Farewell Marty, or I can't believe I almost forgot again!

THANK YOU AUSTRALIA.

That is all.