Hey everyone. Ryan and I just finished up our training week in the capital city Nuku'alofa. Nuku'alofa is the only true city in Tonga and is located on the main island of Tongatapu. Given that the government, the monarchy and most of Tonga's people are in and around Nuku'alofa, it is a much different place than the rest of the country. It has paved roads and many shops. There are Western influences from New Zealand and Australia, as well Japanese, Chinese and Indian influence all around the city. Because of this, the Peace Corps does not place volunteers in Nuku'alofa. However, our HQ is in Nuku'alofa and it is the only official American institution in the city.
Below is the PC headquarters building. Inside the gates are staff offices, training facilities, a medical wing, apartments, a volunteer lounge and PC vehicles. The compound is heavily gated and has guards at the doors 24/7.
This is the largest market in all of Tonga. It is a place to shop for clothes, vegetables, and tapas items. This is where Ryan buys all his pretty skirts :)
Here I am standing in the middle of the most developed strip in the city. It has stores and restaurants that we frequent when we visit. There are also a few bars. Look at me being all scandalous in the city. Showing leg and everything!
Here is a side view of the royal family residence. Not too shabby!
This is a large park down by the wharf. It is a popular place for Tongans to wait for buses back to the village and hang out. We often see families picnicking here. Cheesy Mcgee wanted a picture with one of the barges in the background. There is a Peace Corps monument in this park as well dedicated to all who come here to serve the Kingdom of Tonga. It is pretty cool.
Below, the wharf.
Ryan and I really want to get a cat to try to help rid our home of rodents. We have not yet found one yet that didn't scare the bejeezus out of us. This is the only cat we found that we like. He lives at Sela's guesthouse (where we always stay when we come to the main island.) We named him kovi (naughty) kitty because he was a little terror. He would often appear from out of nowhere and dive on people's heads then run off making scary noises. He would prowl the roof and jump out to scare you when you least expected it. But, after a week with Elmira, he turned into a big softie. If I thought he could handle being shoved in a bag inconspicuously during a hour and a half flight, he would come home to live with us. Dang... we both look a little devilish in this picture. A match made in heaven.
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