Fireworks for Christmas

Well, it's been a different kind of Christmas this year. More like July 1st in Canada than the kind of Christmas days I'm used to.
There aren't many tourists around at this time of year but a lot of Tongans who live overseas, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, come back to spend the holiday with their families. There is a family at the house I'm staying at right now who are from Australia and visiting a sister who lives next door.
On Christmas eve I walked down to the open air market which was set up at the wharf and was amazed to see how many people were there...I guess that is the day everyone does their Christmas shopping here. One lady was selling artifical Christmas trees and there was tinsel and Christmas decorations for sale but it was mostly plastic toys (made in Taiwan), new and used clothing, perfumes, shampoo, etc., lots of bakery items, and various other things.
After leaving the market I headed out to Liku'alofa resort where I am staying for a few days and it was nice to get away from the goings on in the city. Buffet dinner with turkey on Christmas eve then a show...polynesian dancing (which by now I've seen enough of to last for quite awhile) and fireworks. With the band playing "Jingle Bells" and "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" while the Pacific waves rolled in and the palms swayed it was a little disorienting.
I have cable TV here at the resort and this is the first time since I've been in Tonga that I've been able to watch world news in English so that's been a treat. There is a TV where I live but 3 channels only, 1 local in Tongan, 1 religious channel, also in Tongan and the Communist China Network. The last one is in English but the programs are all about China or the Asian region. It's been so interesting to see what's going on in the rest of the world...snow storm in US midwest and Pope attacked at midnight mass.
No DOGS here! It's great to wake up at night and hear nothing but the surf rolling in. Haven't seen one pig and if there are roosters they are mute...so all is good. Looking forward to the New Year and wishing best to all.