We decided to switch of the engines while waiting for the offices on land to open after two, and the silence after six days of sea and engine noise, filled our ears. After a while the constant buzz in our ears subsided, while we were enjoying the gift of lamb we received from the new friends in Raratonga! Succulent! We sailed into the little harbor, with a big man waving us in, and tying us up, with a fish smell filling the air, and flies joining us. That’s life on land, and I knew the mozzies were waiting for me…
The rest of the day was spent going through Andando with Peter, and he kept on smiling, so that was a good sign. He stayed with the boys, servicing the engines, changing the sail drive oil, while Johan and I went down the road for some shopping. We passed the cemetery, and I had to take photos for you. I thought the graves in the front yards of the houses in Raratonga were unusual. Just imagine waking up every morning, and walking passed the dirt heaps of your ancestors. But the graves in Tonga was amazing. They are Christians, but due to their custom, they wrap the body in a warm blanket in the coffin, and on top of the big heap, they spread the most beautiful spread or blanket. Some were quilts hanged up as well, and some were beautiful crochet spreads. It is done to keep them warm during their stay, and warm for the resurrection. I am trying to find out why I found bottles filled with something….maybe some need something warm on the inside as well…
At the market, I found this women wearing her grass skirt, and she told me that her father passed on two weeks ago, and she is wearing the customary skirt. I love these customs, and I do miss them in our plastic world. Maybe we can start having little traditions in our own families, just to let our memories live on a little while longer…
An official came aboard, and we paid the dues for Customs, 100 Tonga dollars, and were told to wait for the rest of the officials to come aboard. But we waited in vain, and after a while we left a lazy Peter, who arrived this morning in his hammock! We send Tiny, believe it or not, the taxi driver to the airport with specific welcoming instructions to fetch our Boss! Gonna be weird with a boss aboard… Marco couldn`t wait for Tiny to bring our guest, and eventually he arrived. Andando was delighted meeting him. Tiny asked me to add his name and number to the blog , so if you are in the area, Tinys` Tonga taxi, tours@gmail.com, tel. 8875127.
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| From Left : Peter, "Tiny" and Joe |
After a glass of ice cold water, Marco sat back and told him very politely that we have a certain routine on this boat, and it would be better of him to just slot in and join in our fun! Luckily Peter was amused and promised Marco, to be good, and the nick name was born, Two Taps. So from now on Marco will be called Two Taps, that is what you do when you need a slave. Two taps on the head and he will serve Peter, and hopefully we can get away with it too!
The rest of the day was spent going through Andando with Peter, and he kept on smiling, so that was a good sign. He stayed with the boys, servicing the engines, changing the sail drive oil, while Johan and I went down the road for some shopping. We passed the cemetery, and I had to take photos for you. I thought the graves in the front yards of the houses in Raratonga were unusual. Just imagine waking up every morning, and walking passed the dirt heaps of your ancestors. But the graves in Tonga was amazing. They are Christians, but due to their custom, they wrap the body in a warm blanket in the coffin, and on top of the big heap, they spread the most beautiful spread or blanket. Some were quilts hanged up as well, and some were beautiful crochet spreads. It is done to keep them warm during their stay, and warm for the resurrection. I am trying to find out why I found bottles filled with something….maybe some need something warm on the inside as well…
At the market, I found this women wearing her grass skirt, and she told me that her father passed on two weeks ago, and she is wearing the customary skirt. I love these customs, and I do miss them in our plastic world. Maybe we can start having little traditions in our own families, just to let our memories live on a little while longer…
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