Tuesday 13 March 2012 - Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Tuesday 13 March 2012 – Nuku’alofa, Tonga

It is warm and sunny with temps in the mid 80’s at 6:45 am.  The pilot boat is outside our deck which means we are coming in to port.   During breakfast the Regatta docks in Nuku’alofa, the capital of Tonga.

There is a shuttle bus to town – very primitive – no air conditioning and the seats are from the 1950’s.  After the ten minute ride we are dropped off at the Post Office – a rather large modern building.

There are two noted attractions in Nuku’alofa – The Royal Palace and The Royal Tombs -- both are not open to the public but visible through the fences that surround them. 

The Royal Palace is a wooden structure built in 1867 with a great view over the turquoise colored water.  It is difficult to determine whether the King is in residence as he has several palaces through out the Kingdom of Tonga.   Just outside the fenced area of the Royal Palace is a make-shift market where natives are selling wood carvings, jewelry, sarongs and baskets.  The prices seem high but bargaining is expected.  Beth was told a black and white pearl necklace she liked was $60 US -- by the time she walked away with it she had paid $30 US. 

As we continue strolling through the streets, we come to The Royal Tombs which look attractive in their park-like setting through the fence. Across the street from the Tombs is the Centenary Church of the Free Church of Tonga.   This is open and we peek in the door – we are told by two men outside that they are having a meeting.

Tonga bills itself as the friendly island and we found the people to be most cordial --  nodding and saying “hello” as we are walking  along the sidewalk.

Continuing our stroll through the streets – we stop into a couple of markets all selling fruits and vegetables and clothing and handmade items.    We are starting fade as the temperature has reached close to 90 degrees.  

Friends is the internet café where you can pay to use a computer or wifi for free if you buy something.   Since we have our computers Patte, Dave, Phil and I go into the café portion and order a cold drink – I ordered iced coffee and got a coffee smoothie – one never knows.

So Dave and I stay for a couple of hours – the speed was slow but got better the longer we were there or we got used to it.  The rest of our group went back to the air- conditioned ship.  I was able to post four days of this blog and three photos – I was pleased.

After a late lunch and a long shower --- it was almost time for The Falaosi Folkloric Dance Group” from Nuku’alofa, Tonga.  Seventy-three people came onboard by tender – they were about twenty minutes late – typical of Tonga.  The 40 minute show was terrific and just long enough – the young people were so pleased with themselves and so friendly.

Time for dinner – tonite it is the Grand Dining Room.  Our meals were great but the service was very very slow – not sure why.  

After dinner we went to hear Greg Bonham an Aussie performer who sings and plays the trumpet.  He was terrific – I’d go see him again.

We managed to stay up until 10:30pm --- however since we turn our clocks back tonite – it’s really only 9:30.

Thanks for Reading.

Pat