First in the world to celebrate World Teacher’s Day

4 Okatopa Falaite
Being so close to the International Date Line we are among the first to celebrate World Teachers Day. We chugged out on Bas the moped to a large reception hosted by the HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita.

She was elegantly dressed in a dusty pink and metallic grey pute taha traditional dress teamed with a ta’ovala (mat) and a few sparkly pieces of jewellery and a red floral garland.
All Tongatapu teachers were invited so it was a BIG crowd. Kotoni and I felt very special as were given yellow floral garlands on our way into the stadium.
We had a plethora of speeches, a range of traditional religious and contemporary singing items and wonderful band tunes. Wow Tongans can belt out a great tune. There are so many potential Mariah Careys we are constantly impressed with the high standards. The theme for the 2013 UNESCO teachers celebration is ‘call for teachers’ which is something we support whole heartedly.

A ‘beach’ barbecue down by the wharf sitting on the crushed pumice and coral in the late afternoon with ‘Ahopanilolo teachers completed a lovely day.