October 23, 2014 Cyndee & Margaret's arrival

The long awaited day has arrived and we welcomed Cyndee and Margaret at
Fua'amotu Airport.

They are tired and ready for a shower!

One last airport shot before we start our 9 days of show and tell.

Cyndee was fascinated by our very narrow back door!
Tonga was not big on "codes" especially in the 1950's.

Cyndee came bearing gifts from Costco!!!!
Early Christmas!!!

Our first visit was to the wharf.  The Hawaiian Canoe's came in early this morning
and they are having the official welcome by the Prime Minister, which included
cultural "items" presented by the local schools. 

Our first beach visit was to Liku`alofa beach.  While there we made
reservations for their Friday cultural dinner show.  Someone forgot their
camera for that event!!!

Saturday Oct. 25th it was off to an outer island, Pa`angimotu, for a day
of relaxing on their beaches......

.....and observing their "sea critters".  Those at home researched and identified
this as a "Basket Starfish".  I like Krista's observation best..."looks like what
you get when an Octopus crosses with a Starfish".

Two dogs followed us around the Island and kept digging up crabs.
It was quite entertaining to see them try not to get pinched.

Back to the deck for lunch and a little day dreaming.

Tonga is a place to relax and enjoy everything at a "slow pace".

Who can resist a rope hanging from a tall cocoanut tree
that swings out over the ocean.

Sunday night was our monthly dinner with President Tupou and his family.
He let us know that he had received the official notice from the Mission
Committee, that our mission has been extended for three additional months!

It is nice to try everyone's specialties!
Elder and Sister Funaki loading up!

Monday morning is our Liahona Student Body Devotional.  This is TVET week,
So Maopa got us "all" to sing a number on the program.

Monday Oct. 27th, we went back to Fehoko's shop to pick up things that Margaret
had ordered.  He was just asked today to make a whale sculpture for a
 Ministry Event on Wednesday.  This branch will be at least two large
whales breaching out of the water.  So much for planning ahead!

If you see something interesting, just stop and talk...
and take pictures.   She had to get her daughter to come
talk because her English was limited.  She is making
Tapa to sell at the market.

Continuing our tour, we went to the natural bridge and overlooked the
highest cliffs in Tonga.  It is about 20 meters down to the Ocean.

It's serene enough to just find a coral rock and enjoy the view!

Someone thinks that I need to be in more pictures!!

The view and sounds are spectacular.

One last beach to visit before we go to home evening tonight.  Of course you need
plenty of souvenir seashells.  They are hard to find in Idaho and Arizona!