Blogs from Tonga, Oceania - page 11

Oceania » Tonga September 12th 2006

So the flight up to Va va’u had a grand total of 18 seats in it. We got up at 4am to get it so I slept all the way and missed out on some great scenery. We stayed in Adventure backpackers which was really nice with a big shared kitchen still with Hot water and powerful showers and has a large balcony looking over the harbor (lots of big boats). That evening we went to the Mermaid bar and even though we had to get up early we stayed late as the King had died that day and it would be the last day anywhere would be open with music that wasn’t church music. Tuesday: 8 of us- Nancy, Stuart, Helle (a girl they met in Samoa) and 4 medical students doing placement out here ... read more

Nuku'alofa - Tongatapu

Oceania » Tonga September 10th 2006

The little Island

Tamsin

I arrived in Tonga and got picked up and taken to Heilala Lodge- luxury compared to my last week. My own room, a fan and a share bathroom -with flushing toilet and HOT water!! The next morning I had breakfast (toast and fresh fruit) and got talking to a couple from Brighton Nancy and Stuart (in their early 30s but didn’t look it). I said I was going up to Va va’u which is either a 21hour choppy boat ride or a 100 Pound flight. They decided that they would fly up and so we ended up all booking to go and stay at the same place together. The first flight we could get was early Monday morning (it was Friday). Saturday was spent getting a small boat over to a small island which we walked ... read more

2 week holiday from New Zealand to the pacific kingdom of Tonga

Oceania » Tonga June 20th 2005

jungle

frisian traveler

It's a while ago, but because TONGA was such an amazing place to be, i would still like to put my trip in a blog. The year 2005 i was fortunate enough to spend in new zealand, where after a lot of hard work, i had collected enough money to treat myself to a pacific holiday. I choose Tonga because it was the least touristy one, the only kingdom in the pacific, and well, air new zealand had a good offer. I left christchurch on the 31st of may, in clear weather, wich gave me an amazing view over the mountainranges. In Auckland i boarded the plane to tonga, where the tropical heat hit me as soon as the door was opened. Only half of the passengers alighted, for the plane was heading to samoa. The ... read more

jim the boatman and the staff of Taiana's resort

coffin being taken off the ferry and onto a decorated truck

Tonga - "The Friendly Islands"

Oceania » Tonga February 1st 2005

The Royal Tombs

Dick and Mary

Today the Crystal Serenity docked at the last set of islands before we get to New Zealand. Our travel notes say Captain Cook sailed around these islands, but they were never (unlike the other Polynesian islands) colonized by the British or any European country. Net result today is a very laid-back community of handsome happy Polynesian people without the blessings of Walmart or KFC - or paved roads, for that matter. There is a small capital city, Nuku'alofa, where we docked, but it has been minimally invaded by the tourist industry. Our guide said they have cruise ships "fairly often - we had another one last month." We spent the day sightseeing around the Royal Palace (a large two-story house) and Royal Tombs (suitably impressive). In all cemeteries the bodies are above ground, and are often ... read more

Tongatapu and Nuuafou

Oceania » Tonga November 4th 2003

Beach 18 at Vavau Airport

rickmoore

Tonga is a group of Polynesian islands, a paradise in the Pacific. On the main island of Tongatapu, people smile (the gold in their teeth flash) and say hello on the street. After a week some would even know my name. This is a beautiful place; the sea, the walkway, kids swimming, the cool breeze, the palms, the ships off shore all add to the atmosphere. The shops open late and close early, and on Sunday the streets are empty, - huge bars on protect the doors and windows. Musical bells call congregations to church. The services are famous for the singing - even the preacher does his sermon in a sing song voice. The high soprano of the ladies contrasts with the low voices of the kids playing in the aisle. On another Sunday we ... read more

Tonga

Oceania » Tonga April 10th 2003

clarkey

Tonga was much cooler than Samoa. Although still hot, the heat was not so intense and I was not complaining about that! Below is a copy of my report: The Kingdom of Tonga (also known as the Friendly Isles) consists of 171 islands (less than 40 are inhabited) and 4 main island groups: Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u and the Niuas. Tongatapu (population: 68,000) is the main island, constituting a third of Tonga’s land mass. A third of the island’s population lives in the capital, Nuku’alofa (population: 22,000). It has a cooler climate than Samoa. Sport within Society background As in other parts of the Pacific, Rugby Union is king. The rugby season is played in the Wet season from December to June. Rugby receives substantial funding ($500,000 per year) from the IRB. Rugby league is also played ... read more

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