Kingdom of Tonga: Paula's Sailing Plan

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| Paula's "Story": What it's all about |

Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga

Dear Readers,
on our way around the globe we recently arrived at the Königspalast Tongatapu Tonga royalsign1t Kingdom of Tonga and witnessed a remarkable project, that we would like to support by publishing it on our webpage.

Paulas “Story” :
In Dec.1999 Paula, a 28 year old Tongan, was brought to hospital after having run into a truck with his motorcycle.
The doorhandle of the truck had perforated his left cheek, hips and pelvis had multiple fractures.
Unconscious for several days, it’s a miracle he survived this accident at all.

It took him almost a year to get out of hospital, but his left leg stayed paralysed paula1t ever since. Having worked as a diveguide and skipper before, Paula now had to learn, how this accident has changed his life completely and that it’s not at all easy to find a job being disabled...

Paula's Sailing Plan:
Desperately looking for a new beginning, Paula decided to prove his remaining abilities as a skipper by realizing an old dream of his and other Tongans:

Sailing from Tonga to Samoa in a small, traditionally built Tongan Kalia !

Paula found a Popao to borrow and friends
to help him modifying it according his plans...

His wife and a handful of worried friends succeeded in finding sponsors to donate prizes for a raffle.
Money was needed for basic- (raincoat, food), navigation- (charts, compass) and security- (GPS, EPIRP) equipment.
They managed to get some attractive prizes for their raffle:

Königspalast Tongatapu Tonga palacet skytower Auckland 1t 1st Prize:
Return Ticket
Tonga - Auckland
donated by
POLYNESIAN AIRLINES

Royal Beer Ikale Tongatapu Tonga royalglass.gif

(as far as we know the only beer that guarantees: No Hangovers !)

The promotional material (e.g. the posters you see in the shops and restaurants of Nuku’alofa) was contributed by TAULUA PRESS
(e-mail).

With not even 14 days left, they now started to sell the 5000 numbered Tickets-
1 Pa’anga each.

Prizes drawn
10.5.01 5:30 p.m.
Waterfront Bar&Grill
Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu

For us palangi, it was wonderful to see how closely Tongans have identified with Paula and his wish to overcome the handicap of his disability.
They have willingly bought raffle tickets in order to contribute to the realisation of Paula’s dream and rehabilitation.
And so do we:
We will publish more pictures, collect additional information and - sell tickets for Paula's raffle in the streets of Nuku’alofa in the upcoming days...

Paula’s preparations to sail from Tonga to Samoa -->