Friday, February 28, 2020 - Day 56 - Nuku'alofa Tonga

I was so excited about going to Tonga.  Since internet seems reasonable I'm going to try to post the photos first and add stories later.  The short version is I got off the ship, hired a driver, went to a school then did an island tour.  Fingers crossed on the photos!

This was the view from my bed when I woke up this morning.  The window is wet because they wash the decks above every morning.

One of the small, creative flower arrangements near Guest Services.  They used yarn to cover a plain glass vase. 

On the dock they were ready for us - singers and dancers (which I missed) and decorations on the wharf.

I hired John, a local driver to show me his island.

First stop - a school.  This is principal Anna.  I gave her a small cash gift and got a hug and kiss in return.  Along with free run of the school to enjoy the annual Sports Day.

I didn't get to go in the classrooms but the staff room and rest of the school looked very much like the schools in Samoa.

Anna introduced me to the score keeper.  When kids cross the finish line, they're given a number for first, second or third.  The kids bring the number to the score keeper and she keeps track.  That was always my job in Faga.

Lots of kids, parents, teachers and music blasting.

The playground has paths made of crushed lava.  Some kids had shoes, some didn't.  

These guys wanted their picture taken.  They weren't interested in seeing it, just wanted me to take it.  Another boy helped me find the principal but was too shy to have his photo taken.

The kids yelled, cheered, raced and seemed to be having an excellent time.  The teacher clapped together two blocks of wood to start the race.  Clever.

In the parking lot, a "Chinese Store" was doing a brisk business selling snacks.

After time at the school we headed to the blow holes.  On the way, we passed this building.  John was amazed when I asked if it was a Mormon school.  They looked exactly the same in Samoa.

Lots of taro, manioc, breadfruit, papaya, and bananas and people tending their small fields.

The blow holes.  John said they weren't very good today because the sea was so calm.  Still beautiful and worth a visit. 

The cool part was that there were great waves and blow holes all the way up the coast. 

The owner of this house likes color.  I wonder what my HOA would say if I repainted my house like this.

We passed through several villages.  They each had a sign. 

This guys house was covered in signs.  He seems to have a lot of opinions.

We drove down this path to what I thought was a beach but was actually to see the monument in the next photo.  John was great but his English was basic and I don't speak Tongan.  Luckily, some Samoan and Tongan words are the same (talo, ulu, fale, atua, etc.)

A store in the main town.  As in Samoa, a lot of the stores are owned by Chinese.

An open air produce market near the wharf.

I was determined not to buy anything.  But then saw these - they are the "nose" of a marlin, carved.  So cool and unique.  I paid $25 for one.  When I brought it on board I was told I had to leave it in my cabin.  Security apparently knows I get annoyed easily and didn't want me carrying a 3 foot "sword".  

Some of the jewelry was cool but pricey and I was determined not to buy stuff I didn't really want.

People on the ship are sporting Tonga t-shirts today.

This guy was doing interesting drawings on tapa cloth.

The view from the ship.  The water in the port was so clear I could see fish from the wharf.

The day started with an amazing view from my bed.  This was the evening view as the sun set.  Notice how quiet the sea is.

New City, New Friends

People often ask if I get lonely when I travel alone.  Nope.  I enjoy my own company.   And I find that when I travel alone it is very easy to meet people, if I want to.  Some of those people turn into life-long friends - like my friend Donna.  I met her on my first cruise alone.  She and two friends were my dinner companions.  That was in 1997.  She's a close friend and will be visiting me in FL in a couple of months.

Sometimes I'm not in the mood to be sociable.  Years ago I was working Boston and opted to spend the weekend after the meetings at the Cape.  On Friday evening I was at a lovely seaside restaurant having a quiet dinner alone.  After several days of work/people/stress, I was very much enjoying the solitude.

The waitress came over and said that two ladies (who waved cheerfully from across the room) would like me to join them since I was alone.  I asked her to tell them I appreciated the offer but was enjoying dinner alone.  I also asked her to take them a bottle of wine.  Before I left, I went over and thanked them and explained why I didn't join them.  It was clear they were a bit miffed.  "But we felt sorry for you."  "I would NEVER eat at a restaurant alone."  Good to know.  Have a nice night.  Sorry I wasn't in the mood to be rescued.  It was kind of them to offer. 

So far this trip, I've met six people.  By that, I mean people whose names I now know, who shared conversations and time with me.  In one case, it was the two boys I mentioned in an early post who came over to join me for breakfast.  Most recently I met and spent time with a lovely couple, Mark and Kieran.

I met them in the elevator.  If you see me in an elevator, please know that if you make eye contact I'll probably talk to you.  Doesn't matter what language, I'll give it a shot.  So there we were, with poor Mark and Kieran trapped in an elevator with me, a talker.  We continued talking in the lobby.  I ran into them again the next day (and they didn't run).  We decided to meet for breakfast on Sunday morning, then take the Tapatio Tours bus to Tonola for the weekly craft fair.

I won't share their whole back story but the guys are from England and Ireland and have been partners for over 29 years.  They retired, sold their house and have been traveling for eighteen months.  They're midway through a Latin American trip.  We had a lot to talk about.

After spending the day together, we separated in the late afternoon.  They were heading on to a cafe and I thought if I had to walk one extra step besides what it would take to get me back to my hotel room, they might have to carry me. 

They had surprised me on the bus coming back to Guadalajara with a beautiful necklace from the fair.  I was touched by their thoughtfulness and it was hard to say goodbye.  We'd only spent a day together but I felt as if we were old friends.  They'll be heading back to England and buying a house and getting settled again.  They offered me a place to visit when they have their new home.  I offered my home as a place to crash while they get settled, or any time they want to visit.  We shared numerous hugs and a couple more selfies. 

The guys are moving on this morning to Mexico City and I'll miss them.  But, it's my last day in Guadalajara and I'm happy on my own.   Here are some photos of our day.  The craft fair was so crowded I didn't take photos as we shopped. 

Kieran and Mark

A side entrance to the Guadalajara cathedral. It was a SRO congregation for Sunday mass on 3 Kings Day. 

Sadly, we passed a funeral procession.

Hard to see but there is a car with a large flower arrangement on top that is following the hearse.

Been a long time since I saw a Texaco sign.

Guadalajara has a lot of statues around the city.

That's a lot of sugar.

Perhaps you'd prefer salty snacks?  The plazas were packed by the end of the day.

The bus dropped us off a few blocks from the street fair.  I've found it's a good idea to take a photo of where I need to go back to in case I get turned around.  It has happened.  

Those are some "statement" toilets. 

So many items for Day of the Dead.  This one is over six feet tall.

One of the statues at a main intersection in Tonola, a suburb of Guadalajara.  The street fair goes on for blocks and starts just behind the statue.

Mark was surprised at how comfortable this chair was.  A three piece set - two chairs and a table with storage, made of old car, motorcycle and bicycle tires.  Very clever recycling.

A tire chair.

While Mark and Kieran did more shopping, I enjoyed a cold drink at a nice restaurant with patio seating.

They ensured that my bottle of Coke Light was kept clean.  Notice the glass?  Hand blown locally.  I really, really wanted a set in pale blue.  I do not need them.  I'd asked Mark and Kieran to slap me if they saw me pull out my credit card to buy a set.  Kieran seems a little too happy with the prospect.  LOL.  He kept pointing out glasses to me.

I just had a coke but the menu looked good as did the food being delivered to tables around me.

Another tiny car.

I liked these plant holders but resisted.

Need any shoe strings?

They sell them everywhere.

The beautiful necklace that Kieran and Mark gave me to remember our day together.