Tonga
Tonga Activities and Sightseeings
City Tour - Nuku'alofa
Duration : 1/2 - 1 hour
The Tour highlights are :
The ROYAL PALACE
Home of His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.
TALAMAHU MARKET
Colorful market where mixture of vegestables, fruits and food crops and other home made articles are on display.
LANGAFONUA WOMEN'S HANDICRAFT CENTRE
Tonga is renown for its exquisite handicrafts and here you will find wide variety of display.
Tour code : TVU01
Cultural Tours Nature highlights Sightseeing (max. 1 day),
Oceania Tonga
Tonga’s Geography
In all, Tonga is comprised of 176 coral and volcanic islands, thirty-six of which are inhabited. The country is divided into four distinct parts, each scenically diverse. The Tongatapu group is the most populated and farthest south. It is Tonga's cultural centre and home to the capital, Nuku'alofa.
The central Ha'apai group lies approximately 80nm north, an archipelago of low coral islands surrounding soaring volcanoes. Ha'apai is a diver and fisherman's dream. Continuing 80nm north is the Vava'u group, considered to be Tonga's sailing centre. It is a beautiful cluster of waterways and pristine, sparsely inhabited islets at the centre lies an immense landlocked harbor. And in the extreme northern reaches are the Niuas, an isolated trio of volcanic islands 320nm from Tongatapu where traditional Tongan customs and culture still thrive.
Tonga : History
The trilithon stands just before Niutoua, a village on the edge of an island, stranded in the middle of the world and surrounded by an unprecedented level of quietness. Reached after a drive past glistening waters, golden beaches and set amongst swaying palm trees, it is so much the epitome of "tropical paradise'. In a sleepy clearing on the side of the road, at one time capital of Tonga, the trilithon is quiet and an awesome sight.
Coming from an age where life as we know it ceases when our electrical appliances do, it's almost inconceivable, standing in front of this monolithic construction, that it could have been erected on man-power alone!
Tonga’s Culture & People
More than its natural history or its socio-economics, Tonga is about its people and its traditional culture. Tongans are welcoming, relaxed, and generally happy.
Minor things like delays or noise tend not to cause any stress. Tongans enjoy the beach, collecting from the sea, singing, and dancing. Any occasion, big or small, can become a good reason for getting together to celebrate with friends and family.
In Tongan life, the family is of utmost importance. Each family member plays a role, with older persons commanding the most respect. Women benefit from a higher social status than in other parts of Polynesia as tradition gives them certain authority over male family members. Public life, however, is still dominated by men. The eldest sister acts as the family matriarch and oversees her siblings, nieces, and nephews.
Tonga : Country Information
The Kingdom of Tonga is located in the very heart of the South Pacific lying east of Fiji and south of Samoa. It is one of the most scenic and unspoiled of the Pacific island nations.
Tonga has a NNE/SSW orientation between latitudes 16oS and 23oS and longitudes 173o40 W and 175o20 W. The 176 islands ranging from high volcanic to low coral terrain create scenic variety seldom matched elsewhere in the world. The islands are divided into four groups and bordered on the east by the deep Tongan Trench.
Nuku'alofa, the capital, is located on the main island of Tongatapu. It is more developed than its neighbors but still maintains an unhurried and peaceful lifestyle.
