Spontaneous lunch feasts...that's how we do it in Tonga

Nothing brings happiness to my heart like hearing the words, "Ches, the kaipola is ready"!

Puaka tunu and talo

There's a lot of special things that come to mind when I think about Tongans and food, but making the top five is their ability to produce a spontaneous lunch feast for many at very short notice. 

At our office, the local staff take turns to provide lunch for all  - anything from kale, to bbq, to home cooking that someone's mum has whipped up the night before - always plentiful, and always sai 'aupito.  

Today we were graced by the generosity of our outgoing High Commissioner and his lovely wife (malo, malo) who, on their day off to pack, took time to give us a basket of goodies to enjoy in their absence. We indulged in baked talo, fish, feke and of course, gorgeous, mouth-watering puaka tunu.

 

Fish head



What better way to cheer us up here at work, just when we were all feeling just that little bit sorry for ourselves having to work today while the rest of Tonga enjoys the public holiday in honour of the birthday of the Crown Prince.



Mmm...trotters

I'll keep this one brief and let the pictures do the talking!


Feke parcel

 

Ifo 'aupito xx