Monday, we visited the Kingdom of Tonga. It is a country of about 170 islands of which most are uninhabited. . There were hit by Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic ash and a tsunami in the afternoon of Jan 15 2022. They have mostly recovered from it except on the west coast where the damage was most extensive. Our excursion here was called "Captain Cook's Landing site &Culture of Tonga".
First light of the day
Lights from the city of Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga in the pre dawn light
sailing in through the coral reefs
A tug beside us as we enter the channel through the reefs
The sun is up
The Royal Palace in early morning sunlight
The wharf where we will dock
Entertainment and venders set up on the pier
The Legislative Assembly building
boat hauling the mooring ropes to a mooring post
local entertainment setting up to greet us
A plaque at Captain Cook Landing site (he landed here in 1777)
Mangrove trees
They demonstrated how they make Tapa (cloth made from the bark of the paper mulberry tree)
pounding the bark to flatten it
demonstration on opening a coconut
showing things they make from the coconut
the start of making a palm leaf basket
starting to weave the basket
the basket taking shape
Back to the ship
After getting back from our excursion and having lunch, we went out for a walk
The Royal Tombs
I stapped for a beer
a local pale ale beer. (Tasted great on a very hot humid day)
Legislative Assembly building again with a large tree near it
side of Royal Palace
Front of Royal palace
Tonga flag
Back to ship, passing vendor booths
Local entertainment setting up for good-bye
The police band played
a bar set up for sail-away
Passengers enjoying the entertainment
A rain shower hit us
a rainbow during the sail-away
a shallow area of coral reef
rain in the distance
passing a coral reef
Sailing away from Tonga through the coral reefs
several of the small islands of Tonga
a bird (not sure yet what type it is) with reflection in water
sunset starting
sun starting to set
moon with a halo
the last of the sunset.
