Recently I was lucky enough to enjoy five weeks cruising around the Pacific Islands. What I saw and experienced there will stay with me for a long time to come. I'd like to share a little of it with you.
Here is Part I ... the ports of Nuku'alofa and Vava'u in The Kingdom of Tonga.
* * *
A perfect Autumn eve as we sailed out of Sydney Harbour ...
Three days without sight of land and then, dressed in the prettiest blue, Lord Howe Island slipped silently by ...
* * *
Nuku'alofa (which translates to 'home of love') is the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga and is located on the main island of Tongatapu. Tonga is the only nation in the South Pacific with its own royal family.
Although some European navigators sailed past the islands of Tonga in the 1600s, the first real European contact was made by Captain James Cook in 1773 and again in 1777. Captail Cook named the archipelagos he visited, The Friendly Islands. Captain Bligh and the crew who remained loyal to him after the Bounty mutiny, also found their way to Tonga for a very short time.
With her sweeping driveway framed by lovingly tended rose gardens, St Mary's Cathedral, Nuku'alofa, gently bids welcome...
... and graces all with her magnificent vaulted ceiling, the light and beauty of stained-glass windows and the wonder of her giant kava-bowl altar ...
Standing strong, proud and tall ... The Free Church of Tonga ... The People's Church
The Basilica of St Anthony of Padua endearing and appealing with conical roof draped like a circus tent and a staircase just begging to be climbed!
... an awe-inspiring interior featuring handcrafted altar, lectern, baptistry, pews and tables
... the large beams that form the cone
The happiest, most delightful bell-ringer ...
... and the smile that never left her face...
The Royal Palace ... shipped from New Zealand and assembled in Nuku'alofa in 1867.
* * *
Vava'u is an island chain of one large island and 40 smaller ones. The sleepy town of Neiafu is the capital of Vava'u. The Spanish navigator, Don Francisco Antonio Mourelle, was the first European to visit the Vava'u islands in 1781, just a few years after Captain James Cook landed on Tonga's main island. Although Mourelle claimed Vava'u for Spain, the Spanish never took proper possession. In the mid 1800s, Vava'u united with other archipelagos in the region and became part of the Kingdom of Tonga.
In the heart of Neiafu, Vava'u, stands a prominent landmark, Sangato Sesefo (St Joseph's) Catholic Cathedral.
Drenched in natural light ...
After a long drive through the countryside surrounding Neiafu, adorable little dancers greet us at the beach ...
We found this shell while snorkelling and gave it to a local man ...
I really wanted to bring it back to Australia ... it would have made a lovely souvenir ...
* * *
Our driver, Bill, stopped here on this road and urged us to get out of the van to take a photo of the reef in the distance. Sensing something was up, we stood up through the sunroof of the van and took the photo from there. After we took the photo, he again urged us to get out of the van to take a photo. Again we declined and then he demanded we get out or pay him more money if we wanted to go back to the ship. Surprised, but with our wits about us, we laughed his demands off as a joke and told him to stop playing with us and that we had no more money left anyway.
Thankfully, it worked! Sadly, we knew that Bill had been serious.
Had we gotten out and not paid him, he would certainly have left us there on that road with no hope of getting back to the ship in time before it sailed. It was a shame that he put a damper on what had been a lovely day.
But we did make it back on board the ship and waved a slow goodbye to Vava'u ... and Tonga
Part II is here
Images by Kate
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Comments
These pictures are fantastic! Now I'm going to have to get a map and look up where in the world you were!!
Lezlie
Great blog Kate.. Loved it..
HUGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
♥R
Tril: I didn’t bring back the shell because there was still a creature living inside and it would have been difficult to get through Customs. Believe me … I wanted to keep it!
Lezlie: I’m usually quite cautious when travelling. On this occasion we met up with another couple and had negotiated to hire the local driver and his van. I would normally not pay until the trip was completed but the other couple paid up front. There were a number of signs that our driver might not be completely trustworthy so we chatted a little amongst ourselves about possibilities and we were kind of ready. We did hear later of other similar stories but then again we heard the reverse of some drivers who were more than accommodating. Just human nature and the luck of the draw I think.
Christine: There are indeed always a few … but thankfully I think they are in the minority. Thank you for coming by!
Jerry: Thank you so very much. I am glad I could pass on a little of the delights of Tonga.
Chicken Maaan: Tonga Cook! It does sound cool! A very good name for a character – considering the good connection between Tonga and Captain James Cook! I would have liked more time to see more of the paradise that is Tonga …but I could say that of every island we stopped at on our cruise. It was all a magical paradise!
Dianaani: I hope you do get to visit one day. It is beautiful. It was just unfortunate that we had a driver who was greedy. I can understand a little because it is such a poor place economically but, still, I’d like to think his behaviour was in the minority and for the most part the people of Tonga were beautiful and friendly.
Kathy: I wouldn't doubt that Tonga rates very highly on the lists of your friends. For me, I fell more in love with our next stop ... Samoa.
and images of beauty.
`
I recall a paraphrased haiku.
Had I known I had been dead
already
I died
I would have mourned my loss
of life.
*
Maybe I mourn the broke gadget.
Comment refuse to go to Tonga.
You put me in the travel mood.
`
You wrote ...
"The smile that never left her face."
And when I die bury me beneath
a 55- gallon barrel of wine that leaks.
I'll be happy in a Saloon Tavern Pub too.
With Good Luck The Big Jug will spring a leak.
r
Nice! When do we get a picture of your ship?
R
I would love to travel more too, Art. There is just so much to see and do in this world and so little time and money with which to do it. But I have been very, very fortunate to have at least travelled a little so I cannot complain!
And, no, her gorgeous and precious smile never left her face. There’s nothing like a smile sometimes to warm the heart and put a smile on the face of another. I smile even now to think of her.
And when you die, my friend, I hope your wish comes true. That makes me smile too ... to think of you happily enjoying the delightful contents of a leaking barrel of wine!
Cyril: I quite like the idea of travelling and becoming a photojournalist but, of course if the truth be told, these shots are not the best. But they are some of what I have for this leg of the trip. Oh well. But there ARE better photos to come!
Toritto: I don’t know what I was expecting of Tonga myself beforehand but I discovered a nation of many islands inhabited by deeply religious, quiet and friendly people who live very, very simply. I’ll be sure to post a photo of my ship in an upcoming post.
Thoth: Correction …. “WAS having fun”!!! I’m back in the real world now and back at work! Darn!