Malo e lelei,
I'm back at the hostel after a big day out at my island, Nuku Alofa.
The crew at the hostel gave me a lift out as I planned to get a bike for the day.
Toni was telling me that in terms of lack of human rights, Tonga places 6 in the world. Toni said that this is confusing as everyone is Tonga seems so happy, no?
I asked Toni what human rights was based on in this circumstance, and how Tonga placed 6th. Toni said that it was because if domestic and child abuse. Toni said that women here can only be abused 'if they consent to it.' And that when women are hit by their husbands, their kids know to behave. But if the wives are not hit for a few days, the children start mucking up again. Toni said, so there is some logic there, isn't there? He asked me if I had heard of this kind of thing. I said that I hadn't. This all made me feel very uneasy and angry, but I kept my mouth shut. I know that New Zealand is trying to implement mandatory domestic abuse reporting as the incidences are so high. I wonder what will happen here.
The bike hire place was closed (why?) So on foot I went!
I started off walking by the wharf and then was approached by the sturdy guard trying to pick me up. I politely exited away and made my way to the market. Most of the clothes here are second hand and appear much to big for me. I settled on some pants that I'm not sure even fit me and might be see through. There was no where for me to try them on. The make and female owners of the shop suggested that I just take off my other shorts to try them on in the middle of the market I giggled and told them that I already stuck out enough here without taking off my pants!
The market was great fun, lots of handicrafts and fresh vegetables. I bought a lovely artificial flower for my hair which I think is made from the coconut tree.
I managed to find a bus that went to the West of the island so that I could go for a swim. I love getting little local buses. I live how old they are, how there are no actual bus stops and everyone just crams on.
I really wanted to go for a surf but I don't think it will happen this trip. You need to get a charter boat out to where the waves break by the reef. The receptionist by the beach said that people return all cut up from the reef and their boards the same way, so much that they don't actually rent any boards. Much too advanced for me with the foam board! The receptionist also said that she thought I dressed appropriately, its just that the Tongan people are excited by the 'palangi' (white people).
So I went for a a swim instead. I was told to go to this beach because I would have 'less people hassling me. ' It was very nice to have the whole beach to myself! The ocean floor is a bit spooky to step on though, as its mounted with hard coral.
I walked home, waiting for a bus to come up along side me that never came! I enjoyed the walk but was finding it hard to believe that it was 24 degrees as it felt much hotter. I rejected 3 taxis that offered me a lift as I was committed on getting the bus (its cheaper and a lot more colourful).
Then no one drove past me! I savoured the walk by buying an icecream along the way.:)
On part of my accidental epic walk, I stumbled across a medical clinic supported by Aus Aid. I decided to knock on the door and introduce myself but it was locked. I'm sensing a theme here...
A man who worked at one of the resorts previously offered me a lift but I rejected it as I was sure a bus would come, and I wasn't sure if I was being silly getting a lift with a stranger.
He saw he walking on the way back and said ' you have walked a REALLY long way'. This was true, so I took him up on the lift offer. He was very friendly and genuine and we picked up some of his friends kids along the way as school had finished. These kids are so cute. I really love the Islander kids and they seem to love me too. They even gave me Tongan cake to share with them and taught me how to play a game on their phone.
All the kids on the island wave furiously to you and are keen to start conversation.
Back in town, everyone is wearing red, Tongan football theme music is blaring and cars are paraded around the street covered in red and white balloons and Tongan flags. The Tongan rugby team versus Fiji tomorrow. It's so exciting to be in a country when these kinds of things are happening. :)
Tonight I go to a traditional dinner and dance ceramony in a cave. Should be fun. :)
Nofo a
Xo
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