Pictures November 3, 2013

 Saturday we went with a larger group of Senior Missionaries to a place they could snorkel . 
We spent our time goofing off with the waves catching us by surprise.  We got wet hind ends.

 Halloween was a lot of fun.  We had to stand in the driveway so the kids would come get candy.
They don't knock on doors!  Even visitors just drop by and call your name, rather than knock.

Mom with Bishop Niu.  He is one of the best wood carvers on
the island.   Below is some of his work hanging in his shop.

 His brother works with him in their out door shop.  He is 2nd counselor in his Stake Presidency.

 Blake wanted a picture inside a grocery store.  This is the U.S. Mini Mart!  It is owned by members.
Only one person can get down the isle at a time.  Of course there aren't any lights either.

 I took this picture in another store we call Twin Towers.  Corned Beef is a staple in their menu.
They wrap in a green leaf with onions, soak it in cocoanut milk and cook it under ground.  It is called lu and isn't too bad!  Mmmm, maybe I've been here too long....Lu, Octopus, Tapioca, Taro...Just no Burger King.  I must be acclimatizing!  I'm sure you will want to stock up on corned beef now!

Tuesday we went to Vava'u to train the teachers at Saineha.  This is taken on the hill, looking back at the bay and the motel we stay in.  It's the long two story building on the left.  The home in front behind the water storage tank is the Principal's home.  Her name is Etta. 

From our motel room patio early in the morning.  We sat out watching the boats from before 6am until 8:30 when we had to go to the school. 

 Our flight this time stopped in Ha`apai.  It is the main Island in the center group of islands.  The air port was fun, because it took the entire width or the island.  There is a road through the middle of the island that has to be closed when air planes land and take off,  so people are just waiting by the gates, so they can cross the airport when you fly out.

 From the air you see dozens of islands, many uninhabited.  You see the tropical trees, their beach, the coral reefs and the waves hitting the outer coral.  Beyond that you see every imaginable color of ocean that's possible.  Tonga has 274 Islands of which 42 are inhabited.  Missionaries are on most all of the inhabited islands.  But, only 6 of those islands can be reached by plane!  The others they travel to on the mission boat.  Two of those islands are half way to Samoa, called the Niuas.  That is where Elder Groberg served the first year of his mission and where "The Other Side of Heaven" is portrayed.  Pres. Tupou also spent the first year of his mission there when he was 16 years old!  It is largely unchanged from that time to now.

Our copilot is actively engaged in flying....that is when she wasn't sleeping.  What a great companion I get to serve with.  Obviously, we are having a great time, but we still have a lot of time to miss all of you.  Let's get the group Skype deal perfected, that really helped us when we needed it.....