A holiday in Tonga is a getaway in an exotic Pacific kingdom. Tonga, known as the friendly islands is a lush tropical paradise with remarkable beaches and striking coral reefs. The waters carry an abundance of marine life with over 100 species of tropical fish swarming the reefs around the islands and huge gardens of coral. The snorkelling and diving is a highlight with visibility down to 70 metres in some places.
Nuku’alofa, the capital, is located on the main island of Tongatapu. It’s more developed than its neighbours but still maintains an easygoing lifestyle. It’s not too large and fairly flat, making it easy to explore on foot. Grab a hire car for a leisurely drive and explore the island for yourself. There’s plenty to see and you may even discover a secret beach. Visit the many villages and churches and look out for the markets – they’re the centre of village life and offer great chances to pick up fresh food and authentic arts and crafts.
Catch a plane or ferry and head to the tiny island of Ha’apai. Here you’ll believe that time has stopped. You won’t find crowds or traffic, just a simple, relaxed pace of life. Nearby, the island of ‘Eua lies just a few kilometres off but feels much more isolted. ‘Eua National Park is Tonga’s premier location to experience nature, so pack some sturdy footwear and explore the birdlife. There’s also a great whale watching spot where the king has built a palace.
The Vava’u Islands bill themselves as the sailing paradise of the Pacific. The waters are crystalline; you can see the bottom at 40 metres. Maybe that’s why the whales keep coming back each year. Charter a boat and take some time to explore the beautiful waterways and discover for yourself why this area is one the world’s most favoured sailing destinations. Between April and October, a whale watching tour in the Vava’u group will reward with an impressive acrobatic display of Humpback Whales.
Tonga fun facts
His Royal Highness, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, is the last remaining monarch in the South Pacific
Captain James Cook was so impressed in 1773 he gave the Tongans their nickname, the Friendly Islands
There are approximately 108,000 Tongans living in the kingdom of Tonga
Fiji Holiday and Golf
Thursday 19th August 2010
Travel Counsellor: Tony Merlo
In August this year, my wife and I travelled to Fiji for a short break and to explore the recently opened InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa in Natadola Bay on the Coral Coast. Being a keen golfer, I was interested to see from their website that the course was designed by Vijay Singh.
The best package I found was a Lagoon King room with all meals. This offered a buffet breakfast, lunch in a poolside restaurant and a buffet dinner each night - not good if you want to stay slim.
We flew from Brisbane with Virgin as they had the most convenient departure times both from Brisbane and from Nandi for our return. On arrival and after clearing customs, we were met by the InterContinental representative, who transferred us to the resort in a comfortable, air-conditioned bus and provided an interesting guided tour along the way. It was an easy, efficient and enjoyable transfer.
On arrival at the resort we were welcomed at the impressive reception area with a refreshing... view full story
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