Neiafu Town and Nuku Island, Kingdom of Tonga
If you were called upon to design the idyllic Tropical Pacific island, you would place it where nearby islands provide protection from the persistent Southeast Trade Winds, smoothing out the seas. You would probably begin with a fringing coral reef, rich with small fish. You might put an opening through the reef just wide enough to allow entry of a small boat (like, say, a Zodiac.) As a landing site, a gentle beach of soft, white, coral sand would be nice, with shells scattered about to attract the interest of visitors. Coconut palms would sway in the gentle breeze. The large purple flowers of morning glory vines would trail over the sand; yellow flowers of beach hibiscus and the tangled inflorescences of beach heliotrope would adorn the trees above. Your island might be inhabited by a single family, making their living from the sea and from well-tended plots of taro, manioc, yams, and bananas that surround their home. In fact, your island would be Nuku, in the Vava’u group of northern Tonga, where we spent our final afternoon in this island kingdom snorkeling, exploring the small island, or simply luxuriating on the beach with a cold beverage in hand.
Earlier this morning we were welcomed to Neiafu, the second largest town of Tonga, by a brass band and a young man twirling flaming batons. We spent our morning strolling about the town, exchanging greetings with the residents and exploring the market where local handicrafts and produce were offered. Life runs at a gentle pace in Tonga.
If you were called upon to design the idyllic Tropical Pacific island, you would place it where nearby islands provide protection from the persistent Southeast Trade Winds, smoothing out the seas. You would probably begin with a fringing coral reef, rich with small fish. You might put an opening through the reef just wide enough to allow entry of a small boat (like, say, a Zodiac.) As a landing site, a gentle beach of soft, white, coral sand would be nice, with shells scattered about to attract the interest of visitors. Coconut palms would sway in the gentle breeze. The large purple flowers of morning glory vines would trail over the sand; yellow flowers of beach hibiscus and the tangled inflorescences of beach heliotrope would adorn the trees above. Your island might be inhabited by a single family, making their living from the sea and from well-tended plots of taro, manioc, yams, and bananas that surround their home. In fact, your island would be Nuku, in the Vava’u group of northern Tonga, where we spent our final afternoon in this island kingdom snorkeling, exploring the small island, or simply luxuriating on the beach with a cold beverage in hand.
Earlier this morning we were welcomed to Neiafu, the second largest town of Tonga, by a brass band and a young man twirling flaming batons. We spent our morning strolling about the town, exchanging greetings with the residents and exploring the market where local handicrafts and produce were offered. Life runs at a gentle pace in Tonga.
