Each Sunday is holy on Haapai and the rest of Tonga. No flights, no ferries, shops and other busineses are closed. Since 5 am the bells and drums of different churches are ringing and drumming, calling to pray.
Even if you do.not pray it is worth to go and to listen how nicely they are singing…
As a first I visited Free Welseyan Church of Tonga. People came in traditional toavala skirts. Also ladies. The service was 1,5 h long and beleve me I was not bored…
Then I was in the old and poor Free Tonga Church to see the big Polynesian drum they use instead of the bell. Less people here but yhe ladies in the fancy hats.
AT 5 pm the were the mass in the catholic church also with a powerful singing. I had a nice talk with the father and local people after the mass. We also took souvenir pictures. Well, tomorrow I am leving Haapai going to another remote island – Eua. Keep the fingers crossed for the good weather, please! 🙂
