Tonga, Nuku'Alofa
Back in Nukualofa we had another week to spend and did so by beeing part of real Tongan families which was quite a cultural experience. 
Here a short account on the family structure: Meleana was the first child of her parents, and was adopted by the unmarried brother of the husband and the mother of both, who she now refers to as (grand-)ma and father. Her parents had another four children (Lavenia, Polohiva, Lavelua, Make) and lateron adopted the neighbours son Mikivai who had spend most of his first two years with them anyway. That is quite a common Tongan family structure, with the extended family beeing the social unit. Nicole stayed at Meleanas place in Longoteme, while Sabine and me were staying in the Bungalow at Fanga. 
In Tonga, hospitality is the number one feature, so we were looked after quite thouroghly for the remaining time of our stay. I think we both gained some weight, having meals three times a day, attending a 90th birthday with a traditional Tongan feast and having a welfare dinner on our last night. Having that nice home-base, we got a rental car and explored all of the main island, including Cook's place of arrival, once marked by a big tree, now by a plate telling you that there had been a big tree and many more places of interest that you can read about in the travel guide of your choice.
Here a short account on the family structure: Meleana was the first child of her parents, and was adopted by the unmarried brother of the husband and the mother of both, who she now refers to as (grand-)ma and father. Her parents had another four children (Lavenia, Polohiva, Lavelua, Make) and lateron adopted the neighbours son Mikivai who had spend most of his first two years with them anyway. That is quite a common Tongan family structure, with the extended family beeing the social unit. Nicole stayed at Meleanas place in Longoteme, while Sabine and me were staying in the Bungalow at Fanga. 
In Tonga, hospitality is the number one feature, so we were looked after quite thouroghly for the remaining time of our stay. I think we both gained some weight, having meals three times a day, attending a 90th birthday with a traditional Tongan feast and having a welfare dinner on our last night. Having that nice home-base, we got a rental car and explored all of the main island, including Cook's place of arrival, once marked by a big tree, now by a plate telling you that there had been a big tree and many more places of interest that you can read about in the travel guide of your choice.
Comments