Tonga A-Z Visitors Guide - Small Guide to a tropical paradise
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 Tonga A-Z - The Tonga Visitors Guide

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Ha’afeva

About 300 people live on the island of Ha’afeva, 42km southwest of Pangai in the Ha’apai group of islands. Occasionally ferries drop in at night when travelling between Lifuka and Nuku’alofa but its not really part of the tourist path.
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Ha’amonga

Ha’amonga, also known as the Stonehenge Of The Pacific, is a construction of 3 limestone slabs about 5m high on the island of Tongatapu. Built at the beginning of the 13th century it's believed to be the gateway to the royal compound of Tu'itatui, the Tongan king at that time. Legend has it, however, that it was built by the god Maui, as the stones were too big for mortals to handle.
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Ha’ano Island

Ha’ano is near Lifuka in the Ha’apai group. You will see villagers arrive by motor boat at Faleloa wharf. If you want to go over with them in the afternoons it costs about T$2 each way.
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Ha’apai Islands

The Ha’apai group consists of 51 low coral islands and two volcanoes between Nuku’alofa in the south and Vava’u in the north. Around 8,000 people inhabit 16 of the islands and what happy little Ha’apains they must be! With white powdery sand beaches and warm, turquoise waters this is a tropical paradise. If, however, you don’t like sand, swimming, snorkelling, diving, whales, dolphins and turtles, best you stay in Nuku’alofa. Historically important with regard to white exploration, this is where Abel Tasman (1643) and Captain Cook (1774 and 1777) dropped anchor and where Fletcher Christian upped anchor for William Bligh (1789) and pointed the longboat at Timor. Bligh loyalist, John Nelson, quartermaster on The Bounty was killed in an altercation on the southwest side of Tofua Island.
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Hakaumama’o Reef

14kn north of Nuku’alofa this is one of the most popular dive sites off Tongatapu - a deep wall with a large population of brilliantly coloured parrot fish.
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Handicrafts

The most popular place for handicrafts is the Tonga National Centre in Nuku’alofa but things can be expensive and not exactly traditional (tikis, non-traditional masks etc). Take the time for a wander and a shop around if looking for baskets, mats, tapa etc. A few places worth checking out are Langafouna (Tongan Women’s Association Handicraft Centre) on Taufa’ahau Road in the centre of town; FIMCO (Friendly Islands Marketing Cooperative Handicraft Shop) or Kalia Handicrafts opposite the Tungi Arcade; upstairs at Talamahu Market and Tapa Craft (next to the Baha’i Temple on Lavina Road). If you are specifically looking for tapa, keep an ear open for the sounds of mallets beating the cloth as you travel about. You should be able to buy direct from one of the ladies in the village.
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Health

Town water is chlorinated and fit to drink but bottled/boiled water is still recommended. If you do need medical/dental assistance, Vaiola Hospital is just outside Nuku’alofa on the way to the airport (Ph 23 200); the private German Clinic is on Vaka’akolo Road opoosite the barrachs (Ph 22 736 or 24 625 after hours); private dentist is Dr Sione Ui Kilisimasi next to the Fasi Pharmacy on Salote Road. Be sure to treat coral cuts immediately. Pharmacies will assist with Hydrogen Peroxide (see below), antiseptic etc. Imodium and Buscopan are good for upset tummies.
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Heat

Heat is a part of the tropics, though perhaps not as stifling as you would imagine, even in the summer months. The temperature doesn’t have the vast fluctuations experienced in parts of Australia and New Zealand - it should be around 23°C to 27°C all year round but the humidity can make it feel hotter. Carry a bottle of water with you and wear sunblock when going out - and a bit of talcum powder may come in handy for rash relief.
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Hiking

If hiking (tramping) is your thing, suggest you hop a ferry or flight to ‘Eua Island for the rugged, natural beauty and birdlife. Everywhere on the island is accessible by foot. (See ‘Eua)
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Hire Cars

See Car Rental
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History

Gosh, here’s a challenge! To concertina 3000 years of history into a paragraph or three… but here goes: The discovery of Lapita pottery tells us that Polynesian people settled in Tonga that long ago and the first hereditary king popped up around 875AD, beginning the ‘classical era’ that lasted until around 1600. Many of the great monuments still on Tongatapu were built during this time. The kings (Tu’i Tonga) had absolute power (and curiously were the only males not to be tattooed or circumcised). European contact changed the fabric of this warrior-like nation. The Dutch arrived first (Schouten and Le Main in `1616, Tasman in 1643); then the British (Cook in 1773, 1774 and 1777) and Spaniard Antonio Mourelle was the first European to ‘discover’ Vava’u (1781). European contact led to a decline in population, not so much through the introduction of ‘white man’ diseases as in some Pacific countries as through the acquisition of more efficient ways for warriors to kill each other (muskets, cannons etc).

The London Missionary Society had an unsuccessful tilt at introducing religion around 1800 but Christianity didn’t arrive until 1822 when Methodist (Wesleyan) missionary William Lawry arrived. Lawry built the first school, printed the first book (the Bible) and his masterstroke was to convert Taufa’ahau, the chief of Ha’apai, who became King George Tupou I, the ruler of a united Tonga who introduced a constitutional government. The King was still absolute ruler, but for the first time the people had representation. A year after the constitution was enshrined in 1875, Germany signed a Treaty of Friendship with Tonga and had a strong influence on the development of the nation (there’s a large German expatriate community today). England and the United States also signed similar treaties.

Tonga is one of the few countries never to be colonised by a European power (Japan, Nepal, Thailand and a few Middle Eastern states make up the others). The current ‘king’ doesn’t become official until the coronation scheduled for August 2008 so no living Tongan has a memory of more than two monarchs. The large and wonderful Queen Salote Tupou III ruled from 1918 until her death in 1965 and the large and conservatively progressive King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV from then until his death in 2006.

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Honeymoons

Tonga is a fabulous destination for those wanting the tropical romance of sun, sand, swaying palms and clear, warm, turquoise waters. It’s laid-back, easy to get to, culturally stimulating and inexpensive. Email us for more information on flights and accommodation options.
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Horse Riding

There are horses aplenty for hire, many of them looking a tad undernourished. Bareback rides can be had on ‘Eua, Vava’u and Ha’apai (from Sandy Beach Resort) and the cost is around T$40 for two hours with a guide.
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Hospital

Vaiola Hospital is just outside Nuku’alofa on the way to the airport (Ph 23 200). It can busy so expect a bit of a wait if you need to visit.
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Hufangalupe

On the south coast of Tongatapu, Hufangalupe is also known as ‘Pigeon’s Doorway’. It is a huge natural coral bridge, flanked by toweriung cliffs with a sandy cove. Vaini is the closest bus stop.
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Humidity

What humidity? he asked, wringing out his shirt and wondering why he chose to wear jeans. Humidity is the reason your luggage handle may be wet, sheets may be damp, why your papers go limp, why your books get fatter and why their pages curl. It’s why your cd’s, floppy’s and videos go mouldy and why clothes can smell like mushrooms or have a coating of fine green fur. Of course it’s not that bad all year round. The worst time of year is December to February. The good thing about humidity is, it plumps up your skin and keeps it moist.

As mentioned above under ‘heat’, humidity is part of the tropics and while Tonga is further south than some of its tropical neighbours, humidity is part of the package. The most noticeable humidity will be when you hit the tarmac at on arrival at the airport and you will acclimatise quickly. Pack light cotton clothing (jeans are not recommended) and, in the cooler months, take a thicker top (long sleeves) or a jacket/wrap for evenings. Carry water with you and throw yourself into a pool or the ocean if you’re feeling a bit sticky.

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Hunganga Island

If you find yourself in the isolated Niuas islands group, the best beaches are on Hunganga Island. You can wade there at low tide - white sand, beautiful water, coconut palms and the majestic cone of Tafahi Island in the distance - welcome to paradise.
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Hydrogen Peroxide

A very handy mix for coral cuts, scratches, nicks and abrasions. Pour onto the wound to cleanse it. This usually results in a fizz - depending on the amount of blood, think shaken creaming soda. The fizz means there is bacteria and the wound should be cleaned with peroxide each time the dressing is changed. After the peroxide, use some antiseptic powder or Betadine, and then cover the wound. Unlike in Australia and New Zealand, fresh air is not good for wounds. Peroxide is available from the chemists. Don’t ignore coral cuts - they can get nasty in a short time. Be sure to clean the wound every two hours and continue three times after the fizzing stops. Tropical ulcers can develop within days if wounds are left unattended. Nature’s answer to hydrogen peroxide is lime or lemon juice. Failing that, the sap of the frangipani tree also draws out the infection.

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