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 onto an ancient Tongan village where we were shown a demonstration of traditional island customs, including a traditional Tongan fale (house) and typical local clothing and dances.  We learned about the making of tapa cloth from mulberry tree bark and intricate mat weaving.  Some of these mats can demand prices into the thousnads of US dollars!

The family runs this village to raise monies to support their family which includes, cousins, uncles, aunts, grandparents, etc.  Jessica, our commentator, expalined everything we saw from the Kava ceremony to the typical foods, to the ancient medicines derived from local plants, to the traditional dress and its function in society.  So informative!!!

Dancers

Dancers

Jessica, our hostess at the Ancient Tonga Village

Kava Ceremony

Woven Tapestry

Woven Tapestry

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Village Chiefs

On Tonga's western coast, We drove to the Chief's Whistles -- widely considered the most spectacular blowholes in the entire South Pacific.  We were in luck as it was high tide, making it all the more spectacular!

Next stop, Kolovai to meet the flying foxes. These nocturnal fruit bats sleep suspended from the mango trees, heads down, and wings folded. The bats enjoy a sacred status in Tonga and live a restful, protected life. 

Flying Foxes in Mango Tree

Finally, a visit the Royal Tombs -- final resting place of King George Tupou I and his descendants, and the cathedral that was damaged by the 2017 cyclone, and the 2022 tsunami, and volcanic explosion.

Royal Tombs

Cathedral