The last day of Tonga and I went to church in Neiafu. It was in Tongan but I didn’t care – the singing was very moving. Although most of the people there had nothing, they looked pristine and beautiful in their church clothes, especially the kids.

But after ten minutes or so the kids got sticky and bored in their polyester dresses and buttoned up shirts. One boy in front of me found a piece of sticky tape and did different things with it – over his eye like a pirate; over his lips then tried to stretch a smile; on his cheek, up his nose – until he got an almighty whack from the older woman sitting next to him.

The next service I went to was Vanua Levu in Fiji. The Minister kindly did the service in English and Fijian which made it two hours long.

Luckily no one has asked me what my religion I follow. I’m still not sure what I’d say because I don’t want to lie but I also don’t want to tell anyone I’m only there for singing. I don’t think I’ll go again – it’s a bit disingenuous.

But watching people being devoted to something is so beautiful.

Down the road from the church is a monastery. It rustically run down. I wanted to go in and be nosy but then I would of been late for church!

The town of Neiafu is such a contrast to the affluent harbour.

This lovely young woman in the duty free alcohol shop thinks Tongan boys are cheeky and drunk. She wants to meet a nice Maori boy from New Zealand. I asked her if us Palangi look silly walking around town. She giggled and said, “Yes”.

Dean had his first taste of Tongan white bread here. It was the fluffiest bread he’d ever eaten.

Still can’t find a good reason why most people treat their dogs so appallingly. There’s a volunteer vet here who goes around desexing, worming and defleaing dogs, but her work is like one flea amongst trillions.

Cool colors.

Vege markets at Neiafu. Best passionfruit I’ve ever had. When I get back to the boat with fresh food I rinse in salt water to get bugs off, then in fresh water to get unhelpful bacteria off. Apparently one year all the boats shared the same salad and all got giardia.

Watching Mummy whales give birth to bubby whales is the main tourist attraction here.

NB: We left Tonga 8 June but have only just got internet!