Cyclone Gita

Hello all,

I have received a lot of inquiries on Cyclone Gita and the impact on Vava'u.  Because Vava'u is 310KM North of the main island of Tongatapu we were not affected by Cyclone Gita very much. A little bit of wind and some rain on Monday night but nothing of significance.

The main is of Tongatapu however was hit head on by a category 5 cyclone deemed to be the worst storm to hit Tonga in recorded history. The damage is extensive and people from all over the world is rallying to help in the aftermath of the storm.

Digicel (one of the cell phone and internet providers) has given everyone in the country $20 of cell phone time so that people can call loved ones during this time. As a matter of fact Barry is on the phone with his mother right now.  I have read that New Zealand and Australia are ready to fly to in with aide and supplies but they need to wait for the runway at the airport to be cleared and for basic services to be restored.

I don't know the official count but I have read that there have been 3 serious injuries and 30 minor injuries reported as of 7am this morning.  Our hopes and hearts go out to all the people of Tonga in this difficult time.

Here are some pictures that I got from friends on Facebook about the damage in Tongatapu.

If you look closely you will see that most of the buildings that were damaged are made out of wood. So you plan on coming to Tonga and you want to rent a house make sure it is built out of cinder block or build a house here please make sure it is rated for a Category 5 cyclone.

As always I am here to answer any questions that you may have.

Until next time have a great sun shiny day!

Char

Why have I not posted in a while ... Well I will tell you

So, I have received many comments on my little blog here asking why I am not making posts more often and the short reason is because I am being harassed by an “Anonymous” person.

The long answer is I was being harassed by a commenter named Riverbend. I had to restrict all of the comments on my site so that I have to approve every comment before it gets posted on my site. I have asked this person (I do not know if Riverbend or Anonymous is male or female but I am going to use the male identifier from this point forward), I have repeated asked him to stop making negative or irrelevant comments on my site. The requests were repeated ignored.  Eventually I simply marked the comments as spam and eventually the comments stopped. 

In the meantime I decided to look up Riverbend and find out just what his deal is when I found the advertisement to my current business, Falaleu Deli, up on his website and many negative comments associated with my business and Tonga in general. When I tried to ask Riverbend to stop using me and my business in his negativity I found that I was already blocked from commenting or emailing him. This coward would not even respect my wish to be left out of his hate mongering by blocking me before I could even send the request.

Just when I thought it was safe to continue with my hobby of writing in my blog the comments started up again under the identifier “Anonymous”.

Since this coward refuses to identify himself and any way, shape or form I cannot block him from sending comments to me. This obtuse person is so oblivious that he hasn’t even noticed that not one of his hateful, malicious comments have been posted on my site. He just keeps sending them even though I have asked him repeatedly not to post on my site.

I have NOTHING to do with your vendetta against Vava’u, Robert Bryce, Hunga Island or Cocomo Village. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!!! Stop commenting on my site.  NO ONE sees them but me and you are only pissing me off!

If you do not have something nice to say please say nothing at all.  I am not at all interested in the view or opinion of someone that does not live in Vava’u …. Which you do not!!!  I have no interest in reading such vile comments such as the one you sent today that featured no less than 112 childish namecalling words that are extremely offensive to me.

I have had no problems with anyone or anything in Vava’u other than Riverbend/Anonymous harassing me online. I have a successful business and a wonderful product that is in demand by locals and tourists alike regardless of what this person (who does not live here) thinks. I am living a dream that most people do not think is possible and I am here to answer questions for the adventurous few that would like to join us … safely and without regret.

For those that have asked me questions on comments and I have not answered please email me at sbbs2009@gmail.com and I will be more than happy to answer all of your questions about living in Vava’u. For Mr. Riverbend/Anonymous … please email me so that I may ascertain your IP address and block you from all of my online endeavours.

Sincerely

Char