NUKU'ALOFA, TONGA

Our tour will allow us to explore some of Tongatapu’s fascinating sites and ancient monuments in the eastern part of the island, and become acquainted with a few of the Tongan cultural traditions during this tour.

Our tour will allow us to explore some of Tongatapu’s fascinating sites and ancient monuments in the eastern part of the island, and become acquainted with a few of the Tongan cultural traditions during this tour. We will begin by proceeding along Nuku’alofa’s waterfront, past the King of Tonga’s white painted Royal Palace. Later we will pass by the Royal Tombs – the first resting-place of royalty whose ancestry dates back to the 18th century. We shall have photo opportunities at both of these sites. Back aboard our tour vehicle, we head east across the island to the site where the great English explorer Captain James Cook landed in 1777. Cook’s arrival paved the way for the introduction of Christianity, which had a profound and lasting effect on the Tongan way of life. Ahead of us lies the tombs – the ‘Langi’ – of ancient Tongan Kings. Dating back 1,300 years before the birth of Christ, these engineering wonders are constructed from volcanic stone blocks to form terraces. Awaiting our discovery at the Far Eastern point of the island is the Ha’amonga (Trilithon) – an equally mysterious accomplishment of ancient Tonga. Built around 1200 AD, the giant stone arch is four and a half metres (15 feet) high, and weighs 80 tons. It is generally considered to have astronomical significance, or to be a seasonal calendar for planting, harvesting or other activities. Back on our tour vehicle, we return to Nuku’alofa and the village of Popua where we will find the Old Tongan Village – we will be invited to experience how life was hundreds of years ago in the Kingdom of Tonga in a unique environment. We will also discover the secrets of baking Tongan food in an earth oven, learn about the intricacies of tapa cloth and weaving and woodcarving. We are able to stroll through fale (traditional) houses, listen to Tongan stories and learn a Tongan dance, as well as have a ride in a hand carved outrigger canoe and see a fishing demonstration. We will sample fresh seasonal tropical fruits.

There is some walking involved in this tour, mostly during the time spent at the Old Tongan Village. Some rough ground and steps may be encountered. We can not guarantee all the activities at the Tongan Village will take place. The sights may be visited in a different order to that described.

 DESCRIPTION CORREST FOR BLACK WATCH WORLD CRUISE 2009