Okatopa (2nd last) Pot Luck

13 Okatopa Sapate
Kotoni and I had a lovely massage this morning with Chinese Mike and his Dad which meant we could have a break from the church. Leni, one of the teachers had dropped in a breadfruit for us to cook. Kotoni made some yummy shallow fried chips which we ate with our neighbours teamed with a beer and wine.

14 Okatopa Monite
Took a long lunch today as not much happening with everyone focused on the exams starting tomorrow. Used the time to try to get our computer dongle working again. Another cafe in town is providing free wifi… After a haphazard week I was finally able to update the blog… Yipee!  I am trying not to complain about the internet but sometimes it can be so frustrating.

Potluck dinner tonight was the usual great food: seafood chowder, grilled fish and a gorgeous berry cheesecake for me while others had corn cakes with a pawpaw salsa, pot roasted chicken and poached pears.

Entertainment included dancing singing and consummate entertainer – Rabi dressed as an Oriental maiden and lip-sincing a Chinese opera.

Kotoni actually had to double him/her on Bas the moped to a nearby ‘shop’ to get part of his flowing costume during service! A big step for Kotoni as he does not like Bas and… it was in the dark!

15 Okatopa Tuesite
The two UK yachties dropped off a load of foodstuffs that they suspected would not be allowed into NZ. They were also keen to promote the Pot Luck dinners among the yachting fraternity as enjoyed the experience so much. It is great when everybody wins!
Had an email from Lisa one of our Aussie friends who visited recently. She is kindly donating some funding to help make the school more sustainable. We are hoping it will go towards creating a solar alternative to relying on the expensive grid-based power currently in use. Once again the generosity of our friends is overwhelming and humbling. Thank you Lisa your gift will be put to good use.
Home for a siesta before a few jobs in town. I am currently reading the moving Afghani story ‘The Kite Runner’ makes the refugee issues seem so much more real and Tonga, despite obvious poverty and deprivation a paradise.