Malo e lelei ki he pongipongini.......

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......it's goodmorning to all in Tongan,

Hi guys, thanks for still have a vested interest in the little going's on the Witherspoon's little epic journey.

The latest entry reaches your laptop from the bedroom of our cosy b&b in Nuku'alofa (big smoke), Tonga. Arrived here yesterday from the emerald islses of Samoa, an hours flight but much to our confusion a 24 hour jump forward through the date line (I'm a day closer to 30 in just the space of one hour!). We arrived just in time for Valentines day, a thought that only occured to oursleves during our bumpy dirt road journey to our next destination. Needless to say the formalities of cards and showering of gifts will wait to our 1st wedding anniversary (we'll be earning some money by then).

Of out today exploring the big city, or more a ramshackle of colonial buildings and a couple of skyscrapers (two strorey mega structures!!!!). Seems pleasent enough and from what we can see there are plentiful drinking holes on the harbour for us to weigh anchour and pass the time of day. Believe me, the thought of work is becoming all too aparent and this calls for daily stiff drinks.

Hiring a car for two days from tomorrow in which the New Captain Cook and his beautiful bride can explore the island of Tongatapu as we then have 5 days of exploring other islands where we are told the snorkelling and swimming are seldom bettered in the South Pacific.

Our time in Samoa was spent a little less strenuously so needless to say the milk bottle tans have been topped up and we no-longer look as if death is encrouching our door. We spent 10 days on the Island of Savaii (the close neighbour of the main island of Upolu). It's been 7 years since I least visited this beautful, luscious green emerald of an isle and although life seems to have moved on remarkedly since my last visit, I still believe the traditions and people here is something very sadly overlooked in our 'western way'. Though they have sucummed to the modern necessities such as mobile phones and cars still there's an amazing sense of community, respect and a love of all that is important to them.....their land!

We hired a car and plodded joyfully round the island waving to every passer by, passing vehicle and village folk as they seem to insist and portray that this was common place for every stranger and friend alike. We managed to refresh in fresh water plunge pools, cleanse in spectacular waterfalls and half attempt to wonder at magnifcent lava blow holes (before being moved on by a knife weilding weirdo who was out dismembering poor unfortunate crabs). After this we spent the other 9 days sunbathing & snorkelling on our private white sand coral enfringed beach. Almost forgot what other westerners looked like, especially as Beck was fast turning into one of the locals with her ubber tan. I on the other hand did my usual trick of burning the strangest of area's before turning whiter than when I left brum.

After 5 days of extensive money saving we finally sucomened to the restaurant next door and binned the final dregs of our mountainous piles of flavourless rice & noodles. Since then we have not looked back and unfortunatley for myself I seemed to have regained any form of weight incurred during those baron 5 days (plus interest).

So after that it was back to life in Upolu for 2 days before flying to this next little stopover. So in prior warning, the next entry may contain high dosses of Alchol, Drinking Annicdotes and stories of debauchary as for those who are not already aware the next entry comes from Queenstown, New Zealand!. Yes, we meeting up with many a friendly face (Elsworth, Russ, Holder Suz & Anne-Marie) so me thinks it may get messy.

So from that I bid Alu'a,

Mommy Liz - Hate to think I purpously missed you off last time so you get firts dibs, missing you loads, hope you enjoy you time at 'home' in london

Jip - Thanks for comin, how's work, hope your all not missin us too much, Becks hope's you, Mom & Nick are saving for your airfares

Nasty Nick - Heard the Bulls head have turned a corner, is that cause I'm not playing anymore?

Collis & Shelley - Sent you a long e-mail so should all be on there, hope everythings going ok????

Rich, Loretta & Girls - Same to you, hope you got our message

Jew, Stacey & Evie - Hope all's good in the Jew Home

Ma & Pa - Good to speak to you yesterday even with the bloody time delay

Bro, Ruth & Kiddies - Hope you got our message yesterday, will phone the weekend

New Subscribers - Thanks for reading and for your input, means a lot to us both that people enjoy the entries

Anyway to all, we love & miss you loads, hopefully we will have a phone upon arrival in NZ so will keep you all and the Blog posted. Take care xxxxxxxxx

P.S For some reason we are unable to add photo's on this computer so I'm afraid we will have to wait till next week

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