We spent so long getting our blog going, that I think it's silly to leave it devoid of real posts any longer, so here is a quick summary of everything that's happened to our family so far. (If you got April's email then don't worry about reading this:)
We flew from Salt Lake to San Francisco on Friday morning, where we spent a day sightseeing and then flew to Auckland, New Zealand. We got there at 5:30 am on Sunday, so we slept for a few hours and then attendended a Tongan ward. Later that night we also went to a Tongan fireside, where my dad spoke for 30 minutes in Tongan, and the rest of us tried. (I only had to read my scripture in Tongan, but believe me, it was still a mouthful!) We stayed there until Wednesday morning, the whole time being hosted by Elder Condie, the area president, and his wife. We visited a kauri rainforest of HUGE trees that can grow up to 20 feet in diameter; sheep world, where we got to feed baby lambs and watch sheep being sheared; the Mauri museum, where we watched some cool traditional dances; a cool aquarium; and we also went to some of the more scenic beaches. Everything was amazing, even in the "freezing winter" of rain and wind. :)
On Wednesday morning we flew from Auckland to Tonga!!! We have a really nice house, and our yard is full of cool plants. We have coconuts, bananas, papaya, Indian apple, sugar cane, breadfruit, and "mate loi", a plant that shrivels up when you touch it.
We go to an all-Tongan ward, but school is all in English (or at least is supposed to be--it's not really). And for all of you that think having a different schedule every other day is confusing, never move to Tonga--we have a different schedule every day. (Well we go to the same order of classes, but since we have 8 classes and a 7-period day, the classes get shifted.) There are also about 9 buildings that all look the same, and it's easy to get lost. Luckily everyone is really nice and helps the palangi* find her class. :)
Tonga itself is really pretty too; the trees are so big and beautiful, and I love the ocean. We went to a beach, and the blowholes, which are amazing to watch. The waves come up and hit the coral reefs with a ton of force, and they blow up like gysers.
This quick summary is getting rather extensive, so suffice it to say that Tonga is incredible. You should all come and see it for yourselves!
Michelle
*Tongan word of the day-- Palangi: a white person
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6 comments:
You two are definitely succeeding in your goal to make me want to come to Tonga! I'm so glad things are so awesome.
And does breadfruit taste like bread?
Oh--and pictures would definitely be wonderful, although my imagination is doing pretty well so far.
Michell! and April!! Tonga sounds so amazing and gorgeous i just want to come!! well i hope you guys are having a blast. and i want you to know that i'm jealous of your yard cause there is exotic fruit in it! jealous... well i love you guys and i hope you are having the time of your life!
I am ever more jealous of you. I used to brag that the name of my mission had "beach" in it, but you top that one off because you actually get to GO to the beach!!
You lucky lucky girl. I wish that I was in school right now. And that it was winter. I was just in a car for 9 hours in 101 degree weather. :P
HOLY COW!!!!!! IT'S SO WEIRD THAT YOU GUYS ARE ACTUALLY GONE!!!!
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