A 35 minute ride on a small plane from the main island of TongaTapu and the town of Nuku'Afalo is Sione's home island of HaaPai. It is tiny, with 1500 people, but rich in culture, history and, of course, characters.
Not sure, but this might be Michael relaxing on a beach on an island in the South Pacific.
Arrival at HaaPai tiny airport where Michael and Sione were waiting in background.
Sione promised me this spider was not poisonous, but I was not buying it.
I am convinced this is a standard kava planter.
Some how I don't feel any more protected.
Talk about the Hippocratic oath, Dr. Kate if you are out there, I am convinced I still have some residue from my trip to Africa in September, and Sione convinced me to go to the local HaaPai hospital (8 beds) and then he called the doctor, who was off this day and out working his fields. The dude, Dr. Davida came in and gave me some drugs to fight who knows what. Michael, of course, found it necessary to photograph my humility. The care was first rate.
The main general store on HaaPai. Everybody grows most of their own food, everything else arrives by daily fairy from the main island.
The splendid and gracious Mrs. Tapu, Sione's mom. Never spoken a word of English in her life and made us feel entirely welcome.
I love coconut water, and buy mine on Amazon, but not this week. This is a fresh coconut from Sione's yard full of splendid nectar.
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