Like in every other country, my driver and guide has become my new friend.During the whole trip, Kelesi regaled me with his stories of his family. He has a great sense of humor too!

“Did you study in Uni?” I asked him.

“No”

“How far did you study?”

“Well, I am not good in studying.”

And then for good measure, he added “But I am very good at watching movies though!”

If history is any indicator, I know we will talk on his birthday every year and I certainly hope to come back and meet him again some day.

There is no way of escaping the sight of a lot of clothes being hung out in the front of a house in Tonga. So many of them fluttering out in the sun and wind that I feel justified that they were put out to dry – especially after the rains I heard that went by the previous day.

Something still was amiss. Why so many clothes? And invariably, the mix was not a reflection of what you think a family would be comprised of. Meaning, you would expect a mix of men’s and women’s clothing – for the old and the young. That was not always the case.

So, I asked my driver. And he blew his top off laughing.

“We put our clothes for drying in the back! Those clothes are for sale!!”

“For sale???”

Apparently, it is very common for folks to sell their clothes off. Presumably they do not need them any more, some even make clothes and then I am sure some find way to get to wear different clothes by trading.

On Saturday when I was headed to the airport, it seemed like EVERY house had some clothes out to sell!

Our final stop for the day’s adventures – Anahulu cave
(forwarded from www.rajibroy.com)

This is a classic limestone cave replete with stalactites and stalagmites. The water was cold. That did not stop those kids from jumping in!

Interestingly enough, at the entrance, I paid the entry fees to this lonely gentleman. There was really nobody other than him and myself and eventually, I found those tourists inside the cave. We talked for sometime in broken English.

Later, my driver told me that the cave belonged to him! Apparently, this is NOT a government property. This cave was found in the land belonging to this gentleman and his family. He is the one who has built the steps into it and takes care of the maintenance!

I am not sure I know of anybody else in this world who personally owns a cave with stalactites and stalagmites!

From the Haʻamonga ʻa Maui, if you look out to the east, you can see three clearings into the trees. In fact all three are passages thru the trees that lead straight to the ocean. This, apparently served as a calendar. If the sunrise was visible thru one of them, it meant it was one of the solstices or an equinox. That was the cue to go harvest stuff from underground or from the trees.

Sometimes referred to as the “Stonehenge of the Pacific”, this 40 tonne structure is made of three large coral limestones. Built by King Tuʻitātui in the thirteenth century.

Interestingly “Tuʻi” means the king. And “tui” means the knee. (the difference is very slight in how you pronounce the “i”) This king apparently had a curious habit of hitting anybody who approached him from the front with a stick to the knee!!

Got out of the car and just stood there taking in the mesmerizing beauty of the waters.