Neiafu

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So the flight up to Va va’u had a grand total of 18 seats in it. We got up at 4am to get it so I slept all the way and missed out on some great scenery. We stayed in Adventure backpackers which was really nice with a big shared kitchen still with Hot water and powerful showers and has a large balcony looking over the harbor (lots of big boats).
That evening we went to the Mermaid bar and even though we had to get up early we stayed late as the King had died that day and it would be the last day anywhere would be open with music that wasn’t church music.

Tuesday: 8 of us- Nancy, Stuart, Helle (a girl they met in Samoa) and 4 medical students doing placement out here - went kayaking. It was a guided tour, we went to a beach for lunch and then went to swallows cave which you can Kayak into. It is full of graffiti but they won’t clean it as some of it is a 100 years old. I was in a double kayak with Helle I think we worked well together- well every time I stopped for a rest she’d carry on!! All together we Kayaked 10 miles!!

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Comments

[Heather]

Just a quick hi
Hi Tamsin, We're enjoying your blog and especially the pictures. Glad to hear you're doing well and meeting lots of travel buddies. Can't wait to hear about New Zealand next! xoxo, Heather

[Anne]

Rulers come and go...
I think that might be quite special(?)-to have been in Tonga when the King died, he's been around quite a while I think...Something to tell your kids?!! You look very happy, and are obviously enjoying yourself. Bit worried about Pete with this 'coup' thing - tanks rumbling around Bangkok - but I think its fairly peaceful. I just hope they don't do anything provocative (- like loll around drunk in the main street after curfew.....)oh dear.....

[Ian and Pam]

the post card we might have sent
Dear Tamsin Glad to hear the kayaking trip was so successful - should come in handy on school trips! In Pembrokeshire last week we had a minor sea born adventure with spaniels viewing atlantic seals and purple sand pipers. Love Ian and Pam