Neiafu / Vava´u / Tonga
Approaching Neiafu, a small (yet second largest) town in the midst of many surrounding islands, called the Vava´u Group of the Kingdom of Tonga (which is an archipelago of almost 170 islands) was very beautiful. Cruising there on January 25th 2019, we anchored in the bay and then had to take the tenders ashore. As everywhere on these South Pacific Islands, a group of local dancers and musicians was awaiting us, and despite this always being very touristic, it still is a very friendly welcome and shall give the visitor the imagination of being in paradise.
I had not booked a tour, rather wanted to explore on my own - so I started walking thru Neiafu - a town with a population of approximately 6000.
Right next to the pier was an open-walled market hall, where locals sat around hoping to sell their fruit and vegetables as well as local weavings, carvings and costume jewellery. I stayed for a while and observed the slow activities - this is something I enjoy doing, and after a while, the locals don’t notice you any longer and that’s when getting the pictures… Next I found an informative sign, which mentioned the financial support of the European Union, when the main road and drainage thru the city was built - aha! With the sun almost above me and its enormous heat therefore, I was pleased to come to the Cathedral and sit there for a few minutes to cool down. Having a closer look at this beautiful piece of architecture, once built by convicted female prisoners, I could see that unfortunately it is not well maintained outside and should get new painting and repair - maybe the king of Tonga did not get financial support from the EU for this project ?
Next, I had a wonderful encounter: while walking around, I had heard some constantly singing people, so I followed this music, until -coming around a corner- all of a sudden stood in front of the singing people; having listened to Jon Fleming`s talk (he is the destination lecturer on the ship and always gives infos and historical facts as well as suggestions of what to do in the next port of call), I knew this was a funeral. Women were sitting in the middle of the road under a shade-giving tent in front of a house, where the passed person had lived, and were singing very beautiful and even cheerfully, while some other women were sitting in the shade of trees, taking care of playing children and the men preparing a big BarBQ behind the house for a big feast afterwards. The beautiful singing went on for very long and I enjoyed listening to it for quite some time. I did not venture to take too many pictures, cause I did not want to be respectless (it being a funeral) .
On my return to the harbor, I saw many pigs running around in the streets - they are kept wild and are helping as garbage collectors. I came by Pouono Park, where a monument reminded of the historical importance of the first landing place of Christianity into Tonga and where in 1839, the 1st King of Tonga gave Tonga to God for protection, instead of giving it to colonial power.
Despite the heat I was curious to see more and walked onwards, coming thru a housing area around and on top of a hill, seeing a few nice homes, but also many abandoned ones dilapidating. Also cars not needed or broken were left in the greens and will be covered by the lush vegetation soon…nobody cares about the environment! For some time, I was accompanied by a dog, until all of a sudden, many dogs from various gardens and corners came running to „us“ barking loudly - not a very comforting situation, but when „my“ dog disappeared, the barking dogs let him go and also returned to their places - I felt more comfortable then ;-)
On my return to the harbor, I saw many pigs running around in the streets - they are kept wild and are helping as garbage collectors. I came by Pouono Park, where a monument reminded of the historical importance of the first landing place of Christianity into Tonga and where in 1839, the 1st King of Tonga gave Tonga to God for protection, instead of giving it to colonial power.
Next, I had a wonderful encounter: while walking around, I had heard some constantly singing people, so I followed this music, until -coming around a corner- all of a sudden stood in front of the singing people; having listened to Jon Fleming`s talk (he is the destination lecturer on the ship and always gives infos and historical facts as well as suggestions of what to do in the next port of call), I knew this was a funeral. Women were sitting in the middle of the road under a shade-giving tent in front of a house, where the passed person had lived, and were singing very beautiful and even cheerfully, while some other women were sitting in the shade of trees, taking care of playing children and the men preparing a big BarBQ behind the house for a big feast afterwards. The beautiful singing went on for very long and I enjoyed listening to it for quite some time. I did not venture to take too many pictures, cause I did not want to be respectless (it being a funeral) .
