TONGA- A FRIENDLY ISLANDS
Tonga is an island located between the Fiji, Samoa and Cook islands in the South Polynesia. The Tonga Island is known as “Friendly Islands” as the people here are culturally rich.
Constitutional Monarchy is the kingdom of Tonga. Tonga Island is constituted from about 170 islands and broadly they are bifurcated in three sections. First one is Tongatapu, where the capital of Tonga Nakualofa is located, second one is Ha’apai, an array of smaller islands located in north of Tongatapu and final one is Viva’u which are northernmost islands.
Tonga in altogether consisted of many islands. Among these islands, many are just flat coral, few are islets and some are high volcanic prone islands facing active volcanoes frequently.
The basic source of livelihood of people of Tonga is Agriculture. But at present, tourism is playing a great role in providing businesses to them.
CLIMATE
As the island lies in South-east area, the climate faced by Tonga is sub-tropical. The Tonga feels colder season from May to December having temperature below 27degreeC. The Tonga Island gets warmer in between December and April and during these months, the rain also occurs. Overall, March is the rainiest month. Tropical storms have their vibrant form in months between December and April.
The best time for tourists to make a visit to Tonga is between May and November. So, planning to go there!
HOW TO REACH THERE
Travelers can reach Tonga either by plane or by personal yacht. There is no other connectivity to Tonga from various other parts of the world.
By plane: There is a Fua’amotu Airport (TBU) in Tongatapu of Tonga which took about half an hour from Nuku’alofa. This airport is linked with flights from Auckland, Samoa. Los Angeles, Sydney and Fiji. Thus, people can reach to Tonga via these countries only. But, schedule of the flights must be thoroughly understood by travelers. Outside Fua’amotu airport, a huge number of local taxi drivers let you drop into Nuku’alofa. Mini buses termed as the Teta Tours can also carry you to your destination.
By yacht or private boats: The other means to reach Tonga is private boats which are opted by many people. The Vava’u island of Tonga works as linkage to Tonga. A person has to stop here for Tonga during their around-the-world tour.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE
People of Tonga are basically Polynesians. Later on, Melanexians get merged with them in Tonga. Although, at wider level these two groups of people make the major population of Tonga, yet the island has given shelter to others also like Europeans, Australians, Chinese and many more races. The mother tongue of Tongans is English and Tongan.
The culture followed by people of Tonga is Polynesian. But, European admission also throws an impressive impact on Tonga’s culture and lifestyles. People of Tonga lives serene and archaic life full of cultures and traditions. Modernity and traditionality goes side by side in Tonga culture. Modern one is “angafakapalangi” and traditional one is “angafakatonga”.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Tonga is not of very high class, it is just down-to-earth. But it doesn’t means that accommodation is not proper in Tonga. It will make your trip blissful especially when you are run of the mill traveler. The Tonga accommodation offers not very luxurious hotels but Tongans assured you a memorable trip with mind-blowing resorts sited around the island with marvelous beach locations.
The person must make a plan to visit Tonga with advance booking of rooms in resorts and hotels especially during peak season.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Fairs and festivals in Tonga are celebrated with full passion and great vehemence. Fairs and festivals of Tonga highly draw tourists from all over the globe.
The main festival of Tonga is Heilala festival. This festival is celebrated in the end of June to beginning of July. This festival seems to be best time for knowing Tongan culture with local dances, feats and songs. Two weeks celebration fills the country with full rejoice and great pomp. The festival makes a good display of Tongan handicrafts, parades and Tonga-beauty spectacles.
Christmas Day is the second main festival of Tonga. Entire people of the country celebrate this festival irrespective of their caste and creed. Christmas Day change the whole scenario of Tonga getting attractively decorated with colors and star-studded lights.
Other festivals celebrated in Tonga are the Crown Prince’s Birthday, Boxing Day, Easter Monday, Anzac Day and many more.
The Niuafo’ou Trade fair is deemed to be main fair in Tonga. This trade fair goes on for two days in Niuafo’ou city, a picturesque capital city of Tonga. The tourists from foreign countries can take a glimpse of extra-ordinary traditional handicraft which includes fans, bags and other articless.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Tonga is explored by tourists from worldwide. There are loads of tourist’s places in Tonga that are tourists alluring.
Vava’u Islands Vava’u is chain of islands and to reach there, one has to get out on water. Vava’u islands are the best island on water with deep routes and sheltered inlets. Tourists can delve into various picturesque, gorgeous scenes and this tranquil island on daily cruises or on a fishing boat with local man along with it. Those who are adventurous enough will find the place very charming and can take pleasure of own speedboat. The entire island can be visited in two day trips. One towards south and other one to west from Neiafu. The best must see places of island are the tiny Nuku Island, Port Mourelle Beach, Mariners’ Cave and Swallow Cave.
Humpback Whales of Vava’u Island Humpback Whales proves to be worth seeing for tourists. These whales visit Vava’u in the months between June and October. Maximum whale collectively can be watched at one time from July to September. These humpback whales can also be seen from Ha’api during their migration and also from crags of Eua Island during their journey to and from the Vava’u.
Island Hoping off Tongatapu
Tongatapu is the main island in Tonga. It is undoubtedly visited by each and every tourist. This calm place holds the captivating picturesque and tranquil scenes. This Tongatapu is triangular in shape and is not to be missed.
Blowholes of Tongatapu
Tourists can also enjoy breathtaking blowholes along the coastline of South west Tongatapu. One can view here hundreds of blowholes thrown about 30meters into the air.Royal Palace of Tongatapu Tourists must visit Royal Palace in Tongatapu. The wooden carving of the palace is just eye-catching. This stunning palace was built in 1867.
Eua Island of Tongatapu
The Eua Island is nearby to Tongatapu. And it hardly takes ten minutes for the flight route. The Eua National Park is the crucial attraction of Eua Island. This national park is spreaded over about 450hectares with bizarre birds.
Nukualofa island of Tongatapu
The Nukualofa Island has The Talamahu Market which works as a best time spent place for tourists. Market have a vast collection of normally traded articless like local products, art and handicrafts items, etc.
Lifuka island of Ha’apai
There are many small islands in Ha’apai group of Tonga, but Lifuka Island holds its own beauty. This island is plain and only 11sq.kms area wise. The island is best for beach-loving tourists and who adores water-sports too.
Foa island of Ha’apai
This Foa Island is connected to Lifuka island of Ha’apai through walkway. Here, tourists enjoys a lot experiencing under-water activities as well as horse-riding.
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