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Tonga [1], the "Friendly Islands", is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into three main island groups, or regions.

• Tongatapu -- home of the capital, Nuku'alofa. A short flight or boat trip to the east southeast is the unspoilt island of 'Eua.[2]
• Ha'apai -- the least populated group
• Vava'u -- and Neiafu a popular yachting destination.

Location
Flag
Quick Facts
Capital	Nuku'alofa
Government	Hereditary constitutional monarchy
Currency	pa'anga (TOP)
Area	748 km2
Population	106,137 (July 2002 est.)
Language	Tongan, English
Religion	Christian (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints claims 52,000 adherents; Free Wesleyan Church claims over 30,000 adherents)
Electricity	230V/50Hz (Australian plug)
Calling Code	+676
Internet TLD	.to
Time Zone	UTC +13

Much further to the north are the rarely visited and difficult to reach islands of Niuafo’ou, Niuatoputapu, and Tafahi, collectively known as the “Niuas”. Niuafo’ou is known as “Tin Can Island” because passing ships dropped mail in tin cans.

[edit] Understand

There were pro-democracy riots in Nuku'alofa in November 2006 which left 8 people dead and large portions of the town centre flattened (by fire) . Tonga is one of the last absolute monarchies in the world and is based upon an essentially feudal system where the king disburses land and positions without recourse to any elected body. Although Tongan royalty is largely loved and revered by Tongans, younger people have an appetite for stronger accountability and a more modern constitution. It is a pre-capitalist economy with none of the corporate chain stores and with local small businesses providing all necessary goods and services. Tourists will find it a friendly and appealing place to visit although don't expect the same level of infrastructure as in more developed countries.

[edit] History

The archipelago of "The Friendly Islands" was united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. It became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900. Tonga acquired its independence in 1970 and became a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is one of the few indigenous monarchies in the Pacific.

[edit] Get in

Typical roadside store in Nuku'alofa

[edit] By plane

Fua'amotu Airport (TBU) is on Tongatapu around half an hour from Nuku'alofa.

• Air New Zealand flies from Auckland, Samoa and Los Angeles.
• Pacific Blue flies from Sydney
• You can also arrive from Fiji (Nadi and Suva) on Air Pacific.

A crowd of local taxi drivers meets each incoming flight at the airport and they usually charge 25-30 Pa'anga for a lift into Nuku'alofa. The Teta Tours mini-bus also meets flights and will deliver you to your hotel or guest house for 10 Pa'anga.

[edit] By private boat

Spectacular blow holes on the south coast of Tongatapu

[edit] Get around

To get between island groups, you basically have to fly (or sail). Chathams Pacific Airline operates between the major islands, with flights from Tongatapu to 'Eua, Ha'apai, and Vava'u and from Vava'u to Niuafo’ou and Niuatoputapu. The flight from Tongatapu to 'Eua is, at eight minutes, said to be the world's shortest scheduled flight.[3]

To get around the main island, Tongatapu, Teta Tours and Toni's guest house offer day tours of all the main tourist sights (40-80 Pa'anga depending on how many are on the tour). You can hire a car from the Friend's Tourist Centre (near the main post office) for about 50 Pa'anga and a tour of the island is about 120 km. There are few or no road signs on Tongatapu so you'll need a good map if you're touring in a car. The speed limit on most of the island is 40kph and this is stuck to by the local drivers. You're meant to also buy a local Tongan driving licence on top of your existing licence before you drive (25 Pa'anga). The roads are good in and around Nuku'alofa but deteriorate the further from the town and the further south you travel.

Ha'amonga 'a Maui trilithon

Most cars in Tonga are in a terrible state, maintained on a budget and held together by a combination of 'Western Union' stickers and prayer. The low speed limit helps to keep accidents down.

Service buses to various points on Tongatapu run from the bus concourse on the seafront in Nuku'alofa although there are no timetables posted and local sources say that they are not reliable after about 1530 hours on most days. Buses are an awesome way to get around and with no actual bus stops you just stand on the side of the road and flag the driver down (do not wave, they will wave back and keep driving). The most popular buses in Tonga are generally the loudest, so when you want to get off a resonably loud "STOP" will do it (again, just anywhere you want them to stop). If you dont like kids or crowds avoid the buses at the end of school time, they get packed out and the only limit on how many people in a bus is how many can fit in. The general cost of getting from Nuku`alofa to the surfing destination of Ha`atafu on the western penninsula is roughly T$2.20.

[edit] Talk

Tongan is the most widely spoken language in Tonga. English is also widely understood because many of the high schools teach exclusively in English. Many Tongans when asked a question they are unsure of or don`t understand will reply with a "Yes". Im this case, ask a follow up question and if the reply is still "Yes", ask someelse.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit][add listing] Buy

The national currency is the Pa'anga, or Tongan dollar. Denominations are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 seniti coins and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Pa'anga banknotes.

[edit] Cost

Although Tonga is a developing country, prices for many things are comparable to or slightly cheaper than New Zealand. Most of what you eat, apart from fish, lobsters, roots and tubers, fruits and vegetables will have been imported. A good meal out will cost 30-50 Pa'anga, a beer in a restaurant or bar costs about 5-6 Pa'anga, hiring a car is about 50-60 Pa'anga a day and cigarettes are 7-8 Pa'anga for a pack of 25.

[edit][add listing] Eat

Tongan feasts are a must-do, although for most visiting tourists on short trips, the choice of restaurants will have to suffice. For a small town, Nuku'alofa offers a decent range of restaurants and bars, although they are divided into two localities about 20 minutes' walk apart. In the town centre there are a few around the main market and post office, whilst down towards the ferry terminal there are a few others. Expect to pay 15-40 Pa'anga for a main course in a restaurant and about 5 Pa'anga for a takeaway at one of the roadside sellers. Seafood is usually good.

If you are on a budget and want to spend more money on things to do instead of food, take your own. Anything that you can take through customs will be fine. Upon reflection we should have brought some of our own food from New Zealand particularly stuff like Coke, and if your a toast fan for breakfast, a jar of marmite/vegemite will prove valuable.

[edit][add listing] Drink

Tonga is lively well into the evening, generally becoming suddenly very quiet at around 11PM. Expect to see people walking around until late. Beer and liquor are available from many outlets, including Fijian, Australian and New Zealand imports to compliment the local brews. If you are keen to check out native drink, try Kava (something like liquid novacaine) at least once.

The local beer is called Ikale and is sold in 330 ml bottles in most restaurants and bars (4.50-5 Pa'anga). Or you can buy the same bottles from one of the many 'Chinese' roadside shops or a supermarket for 2 Pa'anga or less. Imported beers are mainly from Australia although there are also some from Europe. Most are sold in 330 ml cans or bottles.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

There is a wide range of accommodation in Tonga, ranging from luxurious to budget. Most have relatively few rooms, though. The Tonga Visitors Bureau [[4]] has a full listing.

[edit] Budget

• Heilala Holiday Lodge. [5] Great place to stay if your on a budget. You have to book through the website which is legit. If you want, Sven will pick you up from the airport for free. Located just 3km from Nuku`alofa and pretty much on the main bus route to town it is definitly a place to look at. Prices range from T$50 standard room for one up to T$115. Breakfast is included and lunch/dinner can be ordered (apparently the food is great). The lodge will take you town each morning if you want and give you a complementary tour of the city and how the bus system works.
• Good Samaritan Resort. [6] Located on the western penninsula about a 20-30min bus ride from Nuku`alofa. This place is really not worth looking at. It is cheap, but in this case cheap means real cheap. Nice beach, good snorkling and the facilities are large enough to host an army of people but the place has been left to run itself into the ground. The website shows the resort in another time and SHOULD NOT be taken as factual.

[edit] Mid-range

• Ha'atafu Beach resort. [7]. Just ten fales or cottages at this laid back resort with good snorkelling and surfing. A$70-90 per person for shared cottages, including dinner.
• Dateline Hotel, (downtown Nuku'alofa on the seafront), [8]. Tonga's main hotel, now renovated after the 2008 troubles. T$100-160 single.  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Across from Queen Salote Wharf and close to Sunday ferries to the island resorts is the Sails Lodge [9] where you can have a comfortable stay and a chance to stroll down the same road to find a church for Sunday worship. Pa'anga 150-200.

[edit] To Do

If you want a good taste of the culture of Tonga, the Oholei beach `dinner and show` is a must see. Set in Hina cave on the south-east side near the airport, it is an awesome night out and includes a Tongan dinner and a traditional show (inside a limestone cave). The show is about T$30 each and can be booked from the visitors information center. They will send someone to pick you up which is an additional cost (make sure you understant the travel arrangements when you make the booking e.g. where and when to be picked up)

A trip to Pangaimotu Island is on offer for T$20 return. The small island located of Nuku`alofa has a half sunken ship wreck to snokle around. However, beware of jumping off as the bottom is swallow on some sides and the rusted ship is sharp. The ship is also home to nesting pigeon which attracts sea snakes (not kidding). The island takes about an hour to meander around and has a restaurant which serves good food and hires snorkling gear (costly). If you want to have a lazy day this is a place to relax. Good idea to go on Sunday as it is still fully operational. The resort on the island is apparently rat infested.

[edit] Work

If you don't work you don't eat. Tongans don't want to hear that its hard on the coral beaches lined with palm trees and emerald lagoons. There are many opportunities for skilled trades from the streets to the shops, in the schools to the churches and yes from the markets to the office. This is a hot spot for skilled navigators spanning throughout 169 villages and 150 islands. Some major exports include Vanilla, handcrafts and specialty pumpkins grown for export to Japan. Other agriculture sectors include root crops like taro, tapioca, sweet potatoes, yams, coconuts, bananas, mangoes, papayas, pineapples, watermelons and even peanuts.

[edit] Stay safe

One thing to remember when going for a swim is that there are many sharp corals near the beach, especially near Tongatapu and Pangai Motu. It is a good idea to wear a cheap pair of sandals while in the water. There are jelly fish near Pangai Motu and they do sting! They are also hard to see. It is a good idea to have a bottle of vinegar handy in your bag to help treat any stings.

[edit] Stay healthy

If your hard out budgeting, take a multi vitamin with you

[edit] Respect

Not really an issue in tourist areas, Tongans are very familiar with foreigners. For maximum respect, keep your knees covered (both men and women). Men, keep your shirt on everywhere except at the beach. Topless men off cruise liners have been arrested and held until after the ship has left! This is a very conservative Christian country. Keep in mind that Sunday is strongly revered, the vast majority of the population will attend religious services, very few shops will be open and there is very little to do. Hotels will be open, as will the restaurant within the Dateline Hotel, some Chinese establishments and beach resorts, although mainlyh to serve expats and tourists. Small shops, including a popular bakery, may open later on Sunday afternoon.

TV stations will be closed or play Christian shows, radio will also play Christian content from 12 midnight Saturday to midnight Sunday.

The cinema in Nuku'alofa usually has a Monday morning screening just after midnight Sunday.

Tonga features many major Christian denominations, many of the pentecostal services are very enjoyable. Strike up a friendship with some locals and you will have no problems finding an enjoyable Sunday experience despite the lack of commercial activity.

[edit] Contact