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Tongatapu Group
The largest island in the Kingdom of Tonga, Tongatapu is home to two thirds of its people. A roughly triangular shaped island, it measures approximately 34km (21 miles) across from west to east. Most of the island is less than 17m (56ft) above sea level.
NUKU’ALOFA: The capital, home to Tonga’s government, is a slow-paced city of 34,000 inhabitants. Sightseeing itineraries should include the white Victorian Royal Palace on the waterfront, just beyond Vuna Wharf. The Palace was completed in 1867. When HM King Taufa’ahau Tupou is in residence, the royal standard flies from the Palace. The grounds are decorated with tropical shrubs and flowers. While visitors are not allowed to enter the Palace or gardens, there are good views from the low surrounding walls. The Mala’ekula (Royal Tombs) are situated in the southern part of the business district along Taufa’ahau Road. The tombs have been a burial place for Tongan royalty since 1893.
THE WEST: One of the most impressive sights in Tonga are the Blow Holes, found along the coastline at Houma, 14.5km (9 miles) from Nuku’alofa. Waves send sea water spurting some 18m (60ft) into the air through holes in the coral reef. This stretch of coastline is known as the Mapu ’a Vaea (the Chief’s Whistle) by Tongans because of the whistling sound made by the geyser-like spouts.
At Kolovai, 18km (11 miles) west of Nuku’alofa, visitors can find the rare flying foxes, dark brown fruit bats, some with wingspans of up to 1m (3ft). The Ha’atafu and Monotapu beaches are also situated at the western end of the island; they are easily accessible and well protected.
THE EAST: On the eastern end of the island are the Langi (Terraced Tombs), 9.5km (6 miles) from the Ha’amonga Trilithon towards Nuku’alofa. The tombs form quadrilateral mounds faced with huge blocks of stone rising in terraces to heights of 4m (13ft), built for the old Tu’i tonga (Spiritual Kings). The stones are of coral, built around AD 1200, possibly carried from Wallis Island on large canoes known as lomipeau.
Ha’amonga Trilithon is a massive stone arch possibly used as a seasonal calendar, erected at the same time as the Terraced Tombs and again made from coral. Each stone is thought to weigh in the region of 40,000kg (about 39 tons). The Anahulu Cave is an underground cavern of stalactites and stalagmites near the beach of the same name, about 24km (15 miles) from the capital. Oholei Beach is good for swimming.
’EUA: The island of ’Eua, a ten-minute flight away from Tongatapu, has recently been promoted as a tourist destination. It has a blend of modern comfort (the island has one hotel and a motel) and the traditional South Sea island lifestyle. Many species of exotic bird live on the island.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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