The Tales of the South Pacific Islands -- 02 October to 22 November 2023

Welcome to Neiafu, Vavu'u, Tonga! We anchored offshore and  tendered in to a lovely small town.   Long Tender Ride to Neiafu Arrival No tours for us today as nothing was really appealing.  Robbi had a coloring session with her artwork and then we walked around Neiafu. We were welcomed by the Tongan Dancers and plenty of people selling their wares, including a fresh fruit market. Welcome Dance Group We walked around downtown Neiafu and took in the local shops and sights. Signpost Church on the Hill Back to the ship and onto the Cook Islands!!! Goodbye, Vava'u View of Ship from Neiafu

Tonga is still a monarchy under the Commonwealth of Nations.  Tonga has  171 islands  – of which 45 are inhabited.  Its total surface area is about 290 sq mi, scattered over 270,000 sq mi in the southern  Pacific Ocean . As of 2021, Tonga has a population of 104,494,  70% of whom reside on the main island,  Tongatapu . The country stretches approximately 500 mi north-south.  We docked at Vuna Wharf at 8:00am under beatiful sunny skies.  Nuku'alofa is the capital and chief port of Tonga, on the northern shore of Tongatapu Island. King's Palace Welcoming Committee We got on our bus for a start our tour to see the outside of the Royal Palace, now used solely for ceremonial occasions. This white Victorian residence was shipped from New Zealand and assembled in Nuku'alofa in 1867. Kingdom of Tonga Seal and Palace gates Never colonized by the West, Tonga claims one of the last pure expressions of Polynesian culture and so o...

Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji is known as "the hidden paradise of Fiji.  It's noted for its volcanic hot springs and magnificent scenic harbor so large and well protected by surrounding mountains, that the U.S. Navy chose it as a possible "hurricane hole" for the Pacific Fleet during World War II. Entering Savusavua Bay Savusavu's rugged, unspoiled beauty charms visitors with its coconut plantations, volcanic scenery and lush rain forest.   Our journey into Fiji's past started with a 30-minute  panoramic drive   along the edge of Savusavu Bay to  Urata Village . Entering Savusavu Bay with our tender boat Upon arrival, native villagers greeted us at the village meetinghouse with songs. We met the village chief, who welcomed us with the  ritual Kava ceremony . In this formal setting, we requested permission to visit the neighboring waterfalls and swimming holes. Robbi receiving lei from little girl Urata Village Chief performing Kava Ceremony Urata Villager...

Lautoka is the second largest city in Fiji, located on the western side of the main island from Suva.  Lying in the heart of Fiji's sugar cane growing region, the city has come to be known as the "Sugar City".  We arrived at the port at 7:00am. Sleeping Giant Mountains Arrival We boarded our bus for the city of Nadi, for a panoramic drive through the city and passed nearby villages and sugar cane plantations. Along the Queens Highway, we stopped for a photo op of the picturesque Sleeping Giant mountain range.  In the pic below you'll see a "wife with child" and "her husband".  Husband's head is to the elft and feet to the right. The preganant wife's head is to the right, belly in the center, and feet on the left. Sleeping Giant Mtn. -- Husband Sleeping Giant Mtn. -- Wife with child As we headed to Nadi we passed the largest Hindu temple in all of the Southern Hemisphere.  We realized after seeing the temple that we were here in December, 20...