the kingdom of tonga is

colorful, friendly and extremely proud.

it isn't as commercialized as i had

predicted and very rural with only a few paved streets.

the islanders are so so so warm and welcoming.

the main island (tongatapu) is tropical, humid and lush

with coconut, banana, breadfruit and noni trees

growing on the side of the road.

plastic flowers & beer bottles decorate

burial grounds and the entire country is

draped in purple & black cloth

 in mourning for the late king, george tupou v.

flying foxes leap from tree to tree.

pigs roam the beaches, streets and yards

scavenging for garbage. children in school uniforms

scream "HI!"at you, wave & eagerly wait

for their picture to be taken. 

churches stand just about every 50 feet

and by the end of our stay,

we learned to identity the different

sects based on distinctive architectural traits.