First, sorry for the delay in this post. It turns out Tonga is off the grid (mostly), so uploading anything is pretty impossible. So, while I’m writing this on the plane, I’m guessing it will get posted when we arrive in Australia.
Anyway, I’m getting ahead of myself. After a 6+hr journey from Hawaii, we arrived at Fua’amotu, Tonga. On the plane we had lectures from Kenny Broad, noted anthropologist and David Doubilet, underwater explorer and photographer. So, not much time for napping. After we arrived we also had a talk from Sylvia Earle. So the education process has begun in earnest.
Tonga is not yet a resort island but it looks like it soon will be. The main town, Nuku’alofa, is a port. It looks just like Lahaina but without the tourists. We had dinner at a local restaurant that evening.
Next day, half the group went snorkeling with Sylvia. We went with the other half to Vava’u, a small island to the north. We got to fly up there in an antique Convair. Beautiful airplane!
The plan was to visit the Ene’io botanical gardens and meet the locals. This doesn’t sound too exciting but it turned out to be a brilliant day.
Vava’u is still pristine and largely undeveloped. No hotels, no tourists. Just lush tropical scenery and a local community that is about as friendly and welcoming as you could imagine.
We were welcomed like dignitaries, had tea, were given a performance of dancers, toured the botanic gardens - the lifelong project of owners Hanitelli & Lucy, had lunch and bonded like family. They dedicated a pathway in the garden to National Geographic and we had an unveiling ceremony. When we departed, there were hugs and kisses and tears all around. Quite an emotional experience!
Afterwards, we visited a local school and were entertained by the pupils who, by all accounts, had as much fun (juggling) as us.
Finally, we had to return to the airport for our short flight back to the main island. We returned with memories of a community, happy, lost in time and incredibly friendly. I hope it stays that way but probably won’t.
That night we had a reception and dinner at the hotel. The flight crew were invited and it was great to meet them. The lead pilot was Scottish so we bonded over several drinks (me, not him).
We’re now on our way to Adelaide. Back to the World of Internet. Sigh.