Kingdom of Tonga

This is our second time in Tonga. First time was in 2020 during Covid just before we were kicked off the ship in southern Australia.

Tonga is located in South Pacific. It is the only country that was never colonized. Consisting of 176 islands, Tonga has a history dating back over 3000 years and the monarchy was in place around 1000 years. Tonga was given the nickname " the Friendly Islands" after Captain James Cook arrived here in 1776.
In the 19th century missionaries arrived, converting local population to Christianity. Country's capital Nuku'alofa translates to "Abode of Love"

In 2020 we visited a stunning beach where Boris went for a short snorkeling swim. The waves were pretty big and did not feel safe. He saw corals, colorful fish and we hoped for some good snorkeling this time.

Today we decided to go on the beach again and try our luck in snorkelling. We found a taxi and upon arriving on the beach were surprised….no palms, no shade. The beach looked pretty ugly. We were told - in 2022 there was an offshore volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami. The effect of it still evident.
There was nothing in the water: no corals, very few fish.
We asked our driver to take us somewhere else and after checking another beach with what looked like a remains of the resort, we decided to see something else.
Our nice driver took us to see blowhole, then burial place of royalty, then three brunches coconut tree (usually only one brunch). Then we stop at the wood carving store and had an ice cream next to it. Finally we saw remaining of the church.

It was getting very hot so we went back on the ship.Read more