Art Zooka Competition

One of Clancy's favorite shows on cable TV is Art Zooka which is about creating and art. This morning Clancy advised Anny and I that he is running an Art Zooka competition and we are the competitors and he will judge. The rules are we must be nice and not copy each other.


The judge photographs with the competitors,


then starts the difficult task of judging before making the announcement from his own artwork, the podium


and announcing the competition is a draw!

Paul visits Tonga

Paul visited Tonga this past week to deliver 3 training / development sessions for the local food industry. His first two sessions for cooks delivered Advanced Food Presentation and Preparation to build the awareness of the potential of Tonga's fresh produce. He also delivered a one night Master chef class (pictured), inviting restaurateurs and foodies to again highlight the quality of the produce and what could be delivered.With Crayfish topping the $70 AUD kilo in Australia, to buy local crays at the equivalent of $35 AUD for was a treat.


Local accommodation owner Kym Brabant gives the Master class a thumbs up while Paul Johanson of Friends Cafe enjoys the presentation.


After 10 days of work it was time for Obi wan Cvetko and Darth Chef (Darth Tator) to have a little bit of fun

and for the household to benefit from some great cuisine!

The last day before Paul left we took him for a day of R&R at Fafa Island resort about 5 miles from town. The weather wasn't great but we got a little bit of sunshine between the rain and a chance to snorkel.

The boat trip to Fafa Island and out on the deck after the rain stopped

Snorkelling at Fafa

Wedding Anniversary

This was our 7th Wedding Anniversary. It also coincided with Tongan Father's day.

A father's day card, camera anniversary present and other goodies

Anny models her anniversary presents

Mother's Day

They are always looking for a reason to eat Cake in Tonga. Anny gets her first Mother's Day cake.

Valentine's Day

With no fancy restaurant’s to go to in Nuku’alofa, what better than champagne and nibbles on the balcony.

Boxing Day Lunch

Nat and his girlfriend (Rochelle) flew done from the Gold Coast to catch up with Anny and they had lunch at Gordan Ramsay’s restaurant in Southbank. John joined them for drinks then left and started making his way to join the MLB-HBT crew at Queenscliff.

Christmas Morning in Australia

Clancy still doesn’t quite get what most kids do at Christmas. He was super excited about presents but still came a cuddled with us in bed and asked if Santa had been, rather than just charging to the tree, not that we’re complaining about that. I am sure next year will be a straight run for the tree and mum and dad will be second.

Setting our tree in Tonga

Christmas morning at Oma and Opa's house

Cevaps (a dying art revived)

Anny’s learning the old art of making Slovenian Cevapcici before Christmas

Pangiamoto Day Trip

Anny and Clancy joined some of our friends for a day at Pangiamoto Island. While there, the younger girls gave the slightly older girls some traditional dance lessons.

Melbourne Cup Races

The Nuku’alofa Club allows women once a year for its Melbourne Cup event. A few hundred people celebrated this year and it was a bit of fun and an excuse to have a drink and dance. Anny won a “Fashion on the field’ event, taking home the “Most Unusual”.

Halloween

With time spent in Jakarta and Cambodia, Clancy is well versed in the American tradition of Halloween. This year we missed the Tuk Tuk ride around Phnom Penh, but still managed to get into the pumpkin spirit and do some treating around the house.