Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga

Carol with "Primrose" purchasing hand made baskets at the market

Free range pigs! (not Carol of course)

School uniforms - long skirts for boys! Green for Mormons, blue for Methodist school

MAGGIE and other boats moored at Neiafu

Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga

June 27 2015

Tonga is composed of some 170 islands. Vava'u is a group of about 50 islands near the north of the chain. These numbers are approximate as islands come and go with volcanic and seismic activity. The "Tongan Trench" along the islands is a major plate boundary so this is an active zone. There has been an earthquake this week but we didn't feel it on the water. That makes for some interesting island shapes. The major island here, Vava'u, has steep sides and a flat top.

This is the only country in the South Pacific that is a monarchy although the government also has some elected officials. There is a coronation of the new king the first week in July with a week of festivities in the southern capital. It will be quite the affair with hundreds of pigs slaughtered and tapas cloth laid out. A priest comes from England as no Tongan is allowed to touch the king. The Tongans have kept all their land locally owned. If you move here or start a business you lease the land.

The Wesleyan Church and the Mormons are the 2 largest religious groups but most people attend church, take their faith seriously and are quite conservative in dress. Churches run the schools. The uniform dresses cover knees and shoulders. The boys wear an ankle length skirt. We plan on getting to a service this Sunday. The singing is supposed to be great. We have heard some in the evenings over the water. The Mormons insist on English in their churches but think we will be more comfortable in the Wesleyan one.

Tonga is sometimes referred to as the "friendly islands". The people so far have lived up to that reputation with their smiles and welcoming words. There was a school reunion at the hotel when we were going by Wed. We were enjoying the music and were invited to join in the lunch. There were 4 small fish and 4 types of seafood in each lunch. We have had laundry done, haircuts, market, restaurants. There is a dvd store with all $1current  movies. One of the 3 we bought worked. Other than errands we have gone for a few long walks exploring. Can't believe the number of pigs wandering about. We went by a vanilla operation yesterday and got a brief tour of the process.

This week has been the type of experience that we enjoy the most about cruising. It is a chance to experience life in a new place, in a secure spot in a sheltered anchorage. This is the furthest south we have been (18 36S) and you can tell it is winter. There is a strong HI coming off Australia. bringing up Antarctic air. But we are enjoying the break from heat and humidity. We have met a few Canadians sailors in the bar and enjoyed swapping info. One couple from outside Calgary have been coming here for 10 years so can share what they love about it. Next week we plan to get out to some of the other anchorages.