Tuvalu, An Unexpected Gem

The 3rd least country visited in the world turns out to be my most memorable and favorite. Read more

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Trip start
April 13, 2023
Tuvalu, An Unexpected Gem D Brown
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 11:50 AM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Funafala Village -8.656985, 179.0979888°39’25” S 179°5’53” E
Arriving Tuvalu
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
About 2 hours and a half hours after leaving Suva, Fiji, the islands of Tuvalu come into sight..
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 11:55 AM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 7 ft
Tuvalu Runway as Public Playground and Dormitory -8.521657, 179.1989428°31’18” S 179°11’56” E
Touching Down At Funafuti
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
An approach where you can see both sides of the island, which at its widest point is probably less than half a mile.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 11:58 AM
Altitude: 7 ft
Tuvalu Runway as Public Playground and Dormitory -8.521689, 179.19898°31’18” S 179°11’56” E
Funafuti International Airport
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu
It's one of the coolest and simplest international airports with the most genuinely friendly Immigration and Customs officials. Plus, Visa Free for most countries.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 12:42 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
Tuvalu Tuvalu Parliament Maneapa -8.525151, 179.1950048°31’31” S 179°11’42” E
A Balcony View...
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Of the airport from my hotel which is less than a stones throw away.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 12:50 PM
Altitude: 7 ft
Tuvalu Runway as Public Playground and Dormitory -8.521689, 179.19898°31’18” S 179°11’56” E
Back To Suva
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu
Currently, the only flights to Tuvalu are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Fiji. However, I'm told there are negotiations to have service from New Zealand starting in the summer of 2023.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 1:40 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
Tuvalu Tuvalu Parliament Maneapa -8.525, 179.1958°31’30” S 179°11’42” E
The Only Bank
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
With no ATM and it's a "Cash Only" country. The only Tuvalu currency is coins, which are collector items. However, the main currency used here is Australian.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 1:45 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
Tuvalu Tuvalu Parliament Maneapa -8.524332, 179.1954348°31’28” S 179°11’44” E
The Octopus
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Tuvalu 50 cent coin..almost 40 years old that's probably soon to no longer be in circulation.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 2:38 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
Tuvalu Banana Plantation -8.521226, 179.1971868°31’16” S 179°11’50” E
Flying Fish Net
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Being locally custom built. Used to skillfully catch flying fish at night to often have for breakfast the next morning.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 2:55 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
Tuvalu Princess Margaret Hospital -8.515, 179.28°30’54” S 179°12’0” E
A Florida Beach Towel
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
In Tuvalu...😏
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 3:25 PM
Altitude: 33 ft
Tuvalu Ulu Bunga Tafaulia -8.505, 179.1966678°30’18” S 179°11’48” E
Possible WW II
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu
Artifacts rusting away along the ocean front.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 3:51 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Teone Catholic Church -8.506667, 179.1966678°30’24” S 179°11’48” E
Cemetery and Burial Site
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
Here are many homes that have family members buried right in front of the yard.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 3:54 PM
☀️ 84 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Teone Village -8.496667, 179.1933338°29’48” S 179°11’36” E
Hiking The Highway
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F
It's not really a highway, but it is the main road to the north end of the island.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:17 PM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
Tuvalu Tengako -8.455, 179.1816678°27’18” S 179°10’54” E
The Best Dump...
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
I have ever seen. Actually, on the list of things to see here...
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:40 PM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
Tuvalu Blasted Lagoon Channel -8.448333, 179.1783338°26’54” S 179°10’42” E
End Of The Island
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
After about a 3 hour walk, we reach the end of the island after seeing some interesting sights like a lady shaving her legs with a machete.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:55 PM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
Tuvalu Tengako -8.455, 179.1816678°27’18” S 179°10’54” E
Dump Sunset..
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Not a bad view
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 6:04 PM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 7 ft
Tuvalu Tengako -8.452686, 179.1809918°27’10” S 179°10’52” E
The Walk Back..
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
Fortunately, we only had to hike about a mile back before we were able to hitch a ride from the head of the post office.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 7:15 PM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 20 ft
Tuvalu Tuvalu Parliament Maneapa -8.525, 179.1958°31’30” S 179°11’42” E
Filamona Dinner
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
First dinner.. Curry Fish with tasty white rice.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 8:06 PM
Altitude: 20 ft
Tuvalu Tuvalu Parliament Maneapa -8.525, 179.1958°31’30” S 179°11’42” E
For Adventure
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu
On certain days, you can take the Inter-Island Ferry that runs north or south and takes about 3-5 days. Depending on the accommodations needed, it will cost you from $60 to $300.
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Day 1
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 9:37 PM
⛅ 84 °F
Altitude: 16 ft
Tuvalu Funafuti Town Council Office -8.516667, 179.1983338°31’0” S 179°11’54” E
16% Beer...
April 13, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F
And the Thursday Nightlife. Empty spot with good music but 16% beer.. Ouch, it is definitely an acquired taste.
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Day 2
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 9:26 AM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: 23 ft
Tuvalu Funafuti International Airport -8.523333, 179.1958°31’24” S 179°11’42” E
Get Connected
April 14, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
For about $10 AUD, you can purchase a sim card and get connected. It's not the fastest speed but a great way to stay in touch from a pretty isolated spot on the planet.
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Day 2
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:10 AM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: 30 ft
Tuvalu Vaiaku Village -8.526667, 179.1933338°31’36” S 179°11’36” E
A Local Winner...
April 14, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
From a popular fishing tournament.
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Day 2
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:16 AM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Vaiaku Village -8.526667, 179.1916678°31’36” S 179°11’30” E
Boating Day Trip
April 14, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Off the island is a Marine Sanctuary that requires a guide from the Town Council. Unfortunately, we're to arrange one so we do the next best thing for an unforgettable experience.
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Day 2
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 10:27 AM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Te akau Fasau -8.505, 179.1558°30’18” S 179°9’18” E
Almost Unreal..
April 14, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
So stunningly beautiful..
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Day 2
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 12:08 PM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Tekuka Islet -8.463333, 179.088°27’48” S 179°4’48” E
Island Foliage
April 14, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Unique tree with "Alien Markings"...
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Day 2
Friday, April 14, 2023 at 12:13 PM
⛅ 82 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Tuvalu Tekuka Islet -8.465, 179.088°27’54” S 179°4’48” E
Fresh Catch...
April 14, 2023 in Tuvalu ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
From some of the most beautiful water I have ever seen.
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