A Bit of Nuku'alofa, Capitol of Tonga

Elder Hawley and I are on our way to Havelu Middle School near Nuku'alofa, the Capital of Tonga.  This is a common sight: We pass the the country estate of King George Tupou V where he lives when he's in Tonga. We stop at an ANZ (ATM) for some Pa'anga (Tongan dollars); the gas station attendant there keeps busy: Typical cemetery near Havelu Middle School with colorful quilts to honor the deceased:   These two policemen had such charming smiles until I took their picture (near American store).  But, having your picture taken is serious business! Bananas anyone?  Unloading them at the market in downtown Nuku'alofa.This is the Parliament Building where all the schools  join in a parade with the king in May to celebrate Parliament Day.We continue our walk past the Treasury and the Post OfficeThe Nuku'alofa Post Office is behind this huge Monkeypod tree: We walk by the side of the Queen's summer home in downtown Nuku'alofa Bougainvillea blooms throughout the islands: Walking up a hill in downtown Nuku'alofa--yes, a real hill where an ancient battle took place. Walking down the hill in downtown Nuku'alofa. Tongan Army Headquarters: Palm tree seed pods: Nuku'alofa's one radio station:

Elder Sing's  fan is woven from one leaf of a coconut tree: Sphagnum Moss hangs from the tree: The burial place of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who died in 2007 The Free Church of Tonga in Nuku'alofa: Yes, there's a church on every corner!  Tongans love to have their pictures taken.  They wear black when they are in mourning.  Close relatives of the deceased wear very large funeral mats--some so large that they go up to their heads. Piggy, piggies:  We're warmly welcomed to the LDS Pakilau Middle School by Luti (Lutimela Ahokovi) a new principal this year.  It's report card day as students & parents at Pakilau smile greetings.  Pakilau Middle School kids live in the bush--the country.Tongan broom at Pakilau Middle School:  Students and teachers are responsible for cleaning their own classrooms.  All LDS church school kids wear green and white uniforms.Kids riding home after school (not one of our schools) wave their greetings . 

There's an LDS chapel in every village, and there are lots of little villages on this island! Lots of colorful cemeteries throughout the island! Double hibiscus flowers on a shrub near a clothesline next door: