February 23, 2019 – Nuku’ Alofa, Tonga
We decided that today we would do exercising before breakfast. I hit the treadmill just before 6 am and Terri did power walking on the lower promenade. Breakfast followed and we packed for out trip out. Terri packed some water and I took cash and credit card.
We watched from our room as the HAL staff prepared the port area. We were still awaiting customs clearance. I could see on the pier that a band was preparing to perform. This was a Police Community Brass Band.
What a great way to welcome tourists to the island. This is the Kingdom of Tonga!
Clearance was granted. We checked out the band. Very good! This band gets around. Their book is about 2 inches thick!
We then walked by the many tables of wares set up along the pier. Ian said there would be bicycle rentals on the pier. We saw none and decided to walk to the market. Interesting place full of all kinds of fruit and vegetables and lots of wood carvings, jewelry and other products. Terri managed a picture of the “production line” at the market.
It doesn’t appear so in the pictures but the people of Tonga are very happy and very friendly. We ran into Bill at the market. He invited us to join him and 4 others on a tour of the island by private car. We knew that was not much to see but we decided we would join him. We met back at the pier and loaded up in a mini van. Tight for 6 people and driver. We had a map and decided to hit every highlight that we could before getting back to the pier before 4:30. Some roads were paved and very smooth. Others were only one lane with tall grass on both sides. The three headed coconut tree was the first stop.
Underwhelmed we went to the next stop. Our driver wasn’t much for narration. Bill peppered him with questions constantly to get information from him. We learned he grew up in Tonga, has 10 children and 3 homes on the island. He does woodcarvings and exports them to Hawaii and other places. We looked at some of his work on the pier. It is outstanding.
Next stop was a beach. Great photo op.
Tsunami Rock. Storm moved this rock inland about 2000 years ago.
Next stop was a photo op at the blowholes.
We finished at about 3 pm and Caleb, our driver, dropped us off back at the pier. We sat on the lower promenade as the ship pulled out and a group of women danced to Polynesian music and waved goodbye.…