About
Tonga
"Malo
e lelei - Welcome to the Friendly Islands."
In Tonga you
can enjoy not only the warm hospitality of its people,
but Culture & History, beaches and water sports, adventure,
festivals and events.
The Government
is a Constitutional monarchy. Gained full independence
within the Commonwealth in 1970. Head of State:
His Majesty King George TupouI V since 2006. The
Head of Government is Prime Minister Dr. Feleti Vakauta
SEVELE (since 11 February 2006); Deputy Prime Minister
Dr. Viliami TANGI (since 16 May 2006)
LOCATION
The Kingdom
of Tonga is located in Western Polynesia. Its nearest
neighbor country is Fiji to the west and the Samoas to
the north. Western Polynesia includes the islands of Tonga,
Samoa, Niue, Tuvala and Tokelau. Tonga is one of
the most scenic and unspoiled of the Pacific Island nations.
Nuku’alofa,
the capital, is located on the main island of Tongatapu.
There are 176 islands in the Kingdom of Tonga and to see
them all you need is plenty of time.
ACTIVITIES
& SIGHTS
Plenty of activities
abound, you may wish to go Saling, Bird Watching, Fishing,
Diving, take a Guided Tour or take in the fascination
Whale Watch Tours of the Humpback Whales.
Rental cars
and motorcycles, buses and ferries make it easy to discover
the hidden corners of Tonga’s pristine island groups
at your own pace. Just remember to slow right down and
allow yourself to escape into relaxed and unhurried rhythms
of ‘Tonga Time’.
Active adventure
and passive relaxation is on tap, always delivered with
traditional Tongan hospitality and warmth.
ACCOMMODATION
& DINING
From village
homestays and simple guesthouses to relax-at-all-costs
boutique resorts and eco-lodges, the Kindgom of Tonga
offers accommodation options for travellers of all budgets
and preferences. Most accommodation is locally-owned,
guaranteeing a warm Tongan welcome, and often located
on remote, pristine islands or on sweeping world-class
beaches.
Tongans are
big foodies, food is at the centre of many Tongan celebrations,
and it’s customary to prepare feasts of far more
food than even the heartiest all-you-can-eat buffet champion
could stomach.
A culinary
culture
What you’ll see most: markets overflowing with yams,
taro, squash and the mouth-and-mind-numbing kava root,
as well as bananas, papayas, breadfruit, coconuts and
mandarins piled high. Pigs and chickens roaming the streets
(before becoming dinner) and earth ovens (‘umu)
in the yards of each household - some are dug right in
the ground while more modern earth ovens are made from
modified washing-machine tubs. Visiting Tonga is like
visiting the grocery store: food is everywhere.
Traditional
Tongan food
Traditional Tongan foods are impressive, the preparation
and cooking of traditional Tongan food involves clever
and sustainable uses of natural resources.
For example, the banana leaf is used
as an organic “tin-foil” for wrapping foods
to be placed in earth ovens; the leaf stem pulled tight
is used to peel vegetables; and whole leaves act as lids
on cooking pots. Bananas are also used — as food!
Coconut water
is a natural “Gatorade,” full of electrolytes;
coconut meat can be enjoyed alone or shaved and “milked”
(mixed with water and drained through a cloth) to get
a rich coconut cream; shells are used as cups and bowls;
and the husks are great kindling for cooking over.
GETTING
THERE
The main airlines
serving Tonga are Air New Zealand, Air Pacific. There
are direct flights to Tonga from Los Angeles, New Zealand,
Australia, Fiji and Samoa.
Another airline
offering flights to Nuku’alofa is Virgin Australia
from Australia, and Tonga's domestic airlines connect
the island groups of Tongatapu, Eua, Vava'u and Ha'apai
and the two Niuas Islands.
Schedules
from USA (LAX)
- Air New Zealand fly once weekly on Tue.
- Air Pacific fly to Fiji six times weekly and connects
to Tongatapu twice weekly (Sat, Tue)
CLIMATE
May to October
is the best time to visit. November to April
is Summer, and is the hurricane season. It can be
hot, humid and wet. The peak travel season is December
and January (Tongans living abroad are returning home),
so make reservations well in advance.
