One week down

Hello from Tongatapu! This is my first Tongan post. We have been here for one week now, and we're really getting used to the island life. We've met all of our family that lives on this island, and they are just wonderful people. We are now staying in the International Dateline Hotel after one night in the Friendly Islander Hotel. It's very clean and right in the middle of things.
So we spent this past week traveling to every beach we could find on this island. We've literally gone from one tip of the island to the other, swimming where we could and taking lots of pictures. Unfortunately I can't update the pictures for some reason, but as soon as I can you will see them.
We went snorkeling the other day at our favorite beach, Masiata Beach. The day before that we went looking for the caves on the eastern part of the island. We actually swam in an underground pool in the cave in Anahulu. It was one of the coolest things I've ever done. Then we went to 'Oholei to see another cave and walk on the beach. Sarah, Mom, and Dad actually visited 'Oholei when they came here 24 years ago, so we got some pictures of Sarah going in to the cave 24 years later.
On one of our trips we went to see the Ha'amonga Trilathon at Niutoua. It looks like Stonehenge, and it was built in 1200 AD. We also saw an 8 foot tall rock that an old blind Tonga king built to protect himself. He would lean on it and swing his stick so no one could approach him. While we were there we bought Dad a birthday present: a carved fish hook necklace that symbolizes save travels and protection of your family. You will see that in many of the pictures from the rest of this trip.
Tomorrow we are taking a ship to 'Eua, the oldest island in Tonga. Dad hasn't stepped foot on 'Eua for almost 30 years. It should be beautiful. Much of the island is uninhabited, so there is a lot of jungle. There are supposed to be wild horses and cockatoos, but Dad's not so sure about that. I guess we'll see tomorrow!
The week after we get back from 'Eua we are traveling to Vava'u where Dad was born and has land still. He can't wait to get there. Everyone says it's the most beautiful island.
We are doing really well here. It's quite an adjustment with different food, different clothes, and an overall different atmosphere. But Sarah, Tesa, and I are all taking care of each other, and Dad is taking care of us. It's really a great thing for us to spend so much time with Dad. We may never get to spend this time with him again, so it's nice to get to know this world he came from with him.
We miss everyone we left in America, and our family we left in New Zealand. It's so crazy how big our family is and how spread out they are. We all feel so lucky to have such great relatives and friends all around the world. We are sending love to everyone out there who isn't with us. Until we meet again!
Love,
Maria