One destination that I think should be on every person’s list is Vava’u in the Friendly Islands of Tonga. It is located in the South Pacific and consists of a chain of forty small islands and one large island. It is truly one of my favorite places in the world. I cannot forget the pristine water and the breathtaking views.
Unlike the rest of Tonga which is basically flat, Vava’u rises to 700 feet above sea level. There are lush rolling hills and a scenic harbor called the Port of Refuge, known as one of the best harbors in the world. Yachts from all over the world float in the idyllic conditions found in the harbor.
Life is simple in Vava’u, and I don’t believe I have ever relaxed as much as I did while I was there. Our family enjoyed swimming and snorkeling at the sandy beaches. There is excellent deep sea diving and several underwater caves to explore.
One day our family took a small motor boat to Swallow’s Cave. I was amazed by the splendor of the cave. Our vessel slid through a small opening in the rocks. Once inside the cave, we could look up and see the sky visible through a hole at the top where the light shines in.
Whales frequently visit the waters surrounding Vava’u, and we were able to see a few of them. There are also plenty of fish of all varieties to watch. Besides the root crops which make up the main food in Tonga, many of the locals in Vava’u grow crops including vanilla beans, passionfruit, mangos, guava, breadfruit, and pineapple. Giant clams are also raised and stunning pearls are grown and cultured just off the shores and in the lagoons.
The capital of Vava’u is Neiafu. There was no wild nightlife or high rise buildings, but there were quaint little shops, restaurants and bars. It was the perfect place to contemplate, read a good book, relax and be artistically inspired.
The island people were very friendly and respectful. They went out of their way to make us feel comfortable.
We stayed at The Paradise International Hotel in Neiafu. It overlooked the mesmerizing Port of Refuge Harbor. We loved watching the sunset each evening after exploring and soaking in the beauty of the island. They have a restaurant at the hotel that was excellent which offered a large variety of cuisines to cater to people from around the globe. There is also a well-kept swimming pool.
We enjoyed shopping for fine handicrafts made by the Tongan people. They are very skilled in pounding and painting tapa cloth which is made from the paper mulberry tree. They use it for clothes, beds, and home decorations. They also weave lovely baskets, purses, hats, and fans. Another thing that they are very skilled at is wood carving.
Vava’u is not on the main mass tourism routes, so it still maintains many of the original Tongan cultures, language and traditions.
I will always remember the glorious relaxing time we spent in Vava’u, Tonga, and I hope to be able to return again soon.
Bio
Ruth Elayne Kongaika was raised in the mainland, USA, but has been traveling in the South Pacific for the past forty years. She tries to capture the beauty of the islands through her photography, painting and writing. She has a blog which shares some of her art and favorite subjects at:
email: kongaikr@byuh.edu
