Three years ago, a buddy and I flew from New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga. Located in Oceania, Tonga is an archipelago, directly south of Western Samoa and about 300 kilometres from Fiji. I knew very little about the island, except from the beautiful photos I discovered on google. And I knew it was imperative I made the most of my trip, as I had college and a part-time job waiting for me back in New Zealand.
I spent five days there, exploring, engaging with the locals and attempting to immerse myself in their culture. Which by the way, isn't very easy when you're a black-bearded Canadian who is about as white as their coconut milk.
By weeks end, I had developed a love for the country. Furthermore, a love for the people, which still remains. Though my lifestyle and overall disposition as a young foreigner could not relate to their Tongan ways, I undoubtably developed a greater perception of the world I live in.