Last night, as I walked out of the Flying Annie Moa homestay and meandered around the small town (but considered the 2nd largest “city” in Tonga) Neiafu, I decided that Vava’U must mean “island of many wild pigs.” There were piggies big and small everywhere: soccer field, church yard, fancy accommodations, government building, jetties… Flashback to the roving chickens of Kauai and or the rambling goats of Bonaire … The piglets were the coolest as they spazzed about seemingly unable to pick a direction! Hmmm… this island must have delicious porkchops!
Now I’m hanging in the Basque Bar. Yes, Basque! No Spanish expats that I can spot, only a couple of cordial and lovely local ladies making sure I like my soda water, urging me to come back on Friday for the best karaoke on Vava’u. My hostesses were also totally unphased by the earthquake that happened earlier in the day. “We shake a lot!” – one commented.
Of course, I had the whole earthquake story for them: I was walking with a couple of Belgium ladies from one beach to another and I noticed the the walls of this wooden structure we were passing was shaking. My first thought was: ‘Wow, they got some rowdy cattle in that building!’ Apparently there was another earthquake 10 p. last night. I slept like a baby thru that one though. And my new friends didn’t really register that one either…
The barn-passing episode was just a part of my 25km walk around the island. I checked out deep and sonorous caves, churches of the most exotic denominations, various pretty villages, stunning coves, and long beaches… Other than the Belgium ladies, I met a couple of New Zealand ones. Check this out: they flew to Fiji and then waited 4 (four!) days for Fiji Airlines to procure a plane to take them to Vava’U. I also heard some horror stories about Real Tonga Airlines – the airline that I will be taking to the next couple of islands. Now I am scared.
Why am I not in the water swimming with whales yet? Because on Sundays, Tonga doesn’t work. Everything is closed (except the Basque Bar and a couple of other similar tourist establishments) and no boat traffic…
Vagabonding Zwindling 