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!

Corporate Triathalon

Another (but my last) triathlon without any lead up training! I was told a week before the event I was doing the swim leg for the tri and Paul Taumoepeau would do the bike. After failing to find a runner I had to back up the run leg. I was in pain for 5 days!


The Tonga Chamber of Commerce Team, Paul and John, possibly the highest average age for any team. Sometimes this is what helping business actually feels like so I had a bit of fun with the t shirt design.

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

Valentine's Day

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

Sleeping Boys

Like father like son

Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster Yacht Race 2010

Anny organised a great opportunity through Mouse for me to join the Melbourne to Hobart race this year on Chikara Outlaw (Sayer 44) owned and raced by Bill Trueman and Jo Norbury. After nearly 20 years since I crewed in an ocean race in the Southern seas and a sick and cold first night, I bounced back and had a great time. There is 3 great bits of video footage of us coming out through the heads which might explains my cold, sick state and show what real sailing is. We had a tough first day and half, then a great run over night and some sun the next day which gave us a chance to dry some gear, unfortunately that slack weather took away any chance of a handicap win.


Have a look at how the race started and the wild exit out of the Port Phillip heads, here on this you tube link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn6CgBZXhmY&feature=related The last 7 hours into Hobart were wild on the rail and all we could think about was warmth and dry gear. We crossed the finish line, tied up about 4am and all we could think about was RUM, so we partied on from there and found warmth that way.

Dad's Birthday

Dad’s 47^th Birthday today, cupcakes and further thinning on top! Bring on 50!

New Job

My office is officially opened with the new sign on the door. I posted this photo because I think I really look like dad in this photo.

Samoa Trip

As part of John’s new job he traveled to Samoa with some of the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee for a conference and meetings. While there he caught up with Joe Annandale, shared some laughs, many ukulele songs and far too many drinks at his house on the lagoon.

John's New Job

John strated his new job today as manager tasked with establishing the Tonga Business Enterprise Centre (TBEC). TBEC forms part of the Tonga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The aim of TBEC is to establish a comprehensive business development services centre which provides business training and business advisory/mentoring services to existing SMEs in Tonga.

Its Objectives are

• To increase the business survival rate and profitability of new and existing businesses via providing advisory and training support to SMEs
• To increase the number of small businesses and new jobs created, including the increased participation of women in business and the strengthening of tourism-related SMEs.
• To improve the skills of entrepreneurs in Tonga
• To support the priorities as outlined in the National Strategic Development Plan particularly focusing on tourism, as well as horticulture, agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing.

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.