Category: Travel
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An Unbelievable Story
I love running. Running provides this satisfying feeling after I am done. When I run by myself, I use the time to think creatively and listen to music, or interesting podcasts. Running with my friends is even more satisfying, not to mention, FUN! Years ago, I heard about a potato farmer who ran the Melbourne…
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Niuafo’ou: Tin Can Island
In Tonga’s First King and Other Folk Tales, the last folktale in the book is about how the island of Niuafo’ou (many new coconuts) came to be. This island is unique because it is also called the Tin Can Island. Unlike other islands worldwide, it does not have a natural harbor or pier, so there…
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The Devil and Tom Walker
What is it like to move for three months? That’s what we did. My husband took a coaching job at Southern Virginia University, so we are in Virginia for three months. I really enjoy exploring my surroundings wherever I go, and the first morning I laced up my running shoes and took off to explore…
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Where Did Tongans Come From?
Tonga emerged from the sea from a pair of volcanic chains from Australian and Pacific tectonic plates as some of these volcanoes rose above sea level. Some of these volcanoes below the surface provided a place where coral reefs would grow and later rise up forming limestone islands. The largest of these islands is Tongatapu.…
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Tonga: Basket Weaving
Before people started making baskets, birds were weaving their nests for the protection and comfort of their little ones. Every culture has had some form of baskets to gather and carry their goods. Today, baskets are more for decorative uses. Many earthy materials have been used to make baskets: pine needles, willows, leaves, roots, grasses,…
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Stonehenge of the Pacific
One of the most iconic historical sites to see in Tonga is the trilithon Ha’amonga’a Maui. We visited Tonga in 2001, and were able to see this interesting structure. What is a trilithon? A trilithon, also called “Three Stones” is a structure consisting of two large vertical stones (posts) supporting a third stone set horizontally…
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Portugal – The Most Underrated Destination
For the past two weeks, I traveled to Spain and Portugal. After traveling and reflecting on what was one of my favorite days, I kept coming back to Coimbra University. Coimbra University is midway between Porto and Lisbon, and one of the oldest universities, older than Oxford. The university first started in Lisbon but was…