Summer Storm on Foa, Ha’apai (at Sandy Beach)

Looking east.

Looking west.

I’m told the photos don’t do the storm justice, but in fact, we are having quite a blow. They are thinking of canceling the ferry that normally comes from Tongatapu. Flights are still coming and going, but are bumpy.

We awakened in the middle of the night , feeling wet. (We have no window – only a large screen. But it does keep the bugs out.)

Addendum #1 @ 8:30 a.m. Having been awake for much of the night due to the storm, we both went back to sleep as the dawn started to break. I woke up first and was surprised to see that the rain has passed, at least for a while, The ocean is a bright, and a very spectacular light azure blue. There is still a very stiff breeze, but we seem to be getting at least a brief break from the torrential downpour that kept us wiping down the floor and furniture and staying back from the windows for quite some time during the night. I have to say, I feel a bit chagrined, because I just noticed that we have a large storm window on hinges that we could have shut, had we been aware of its existence. It hinges down from the ceiling of the porch of our fale. The wonderful thing about today is that, for the time being, the humidity has abated, and it feels simply heavenly to be sitting in a chair and reading, as I watch the waves and feel the trade winds blow. xoxoxoMom

Addendum #2 @ 2:00 p.m. – Waiting for our flight at the airport. Our friend Sepa, the gate agent, told us that people who just arrived in Ha’apai from Nuku’alofa, enroute to Vava’u, are trying to get on this flight to Tongatapu. During their passage to Ha’apai, the sea was so rough, that they got off the boat in Pangai, and they are now trying to get back to Nuku’alofa, so they can then fly to Vava’u. (Instead of continuing along from Ha’apai, on the ferry for another 8 hours.)

This is the (entire) terminal. Everyone is waiting for the one flight that goes out at 3:40 p.m.. The aircraft seats 17. I count 15 passengers, not including me! Looking good!

This is Sepa Tatafu. She is our friend from Tongatapu, and is the RealTonga Airlines Manager there. She is on a temporary assignment here in Ha’apai (and gave us first row seats on the plane! (More about that, later).

This is the baggage area. They don’t have a baggage truck, conveyor belt, or carousel.

This is the departure gate (or door). The pad is where the plane parks. The gate doesn’t have a number, but it’s hard to miss.

This is the plane that has just arrived from Nuku’alofa. They sometimes alternate between two different planes, but the other one is broken, at the moment.

Getting on the plane is a bit of a challenge for your average Tongan. Not for us, though! Cycling and power walking have paid off! Watch your head, though!

One seat on the left, and two on the right. Aisle in the middle. We are in the first row, so we have to negotiate 4 rows to reach our seats. The rugby player in the hoodie could prove to be a problem.

Successfully past the rugby player; now just two more rows to go. Watch those shoulders and elbows. (And don’t drop anything.)

Comfortably settled in, right behind the cockpit!

“This is your captain speaking, from the flight deck.” Just in time to hear the safety announcements. (No flight attendant this trip). In case of an emergency, we are to follow the illuminated strip on the floor to the nearest exit, keeping in mind that it may be behind us.

Pedal to the metal! I thought I heard him ask: “Is it the white, green, or yellow levers? And do I push or pull?”

Seated for the 30 minute flight. (If you were wondering – no bathroom.) We were never free to get up and move about the cabin, if you were wondering.

Upon arrival, the door is open, and the announcement is made that passengers are free to gather their belongings, and exit the aircraft in an orderly manner, row by row.