Lifuka (Hapa'ai group) - South Pacific Island 17
After finally getting our back-sides in gear we purchased our plane tickets en-route for the Hapa'ai group in Tonga - said to be the best for beaches (that was good enough for us!). We flew into the island of Lifuka where apparently in 1777 or somewhere around that time, Captain Cook named the islands the "Friendly Islands". Little did he know that the Tongans were treating him to a feast whilst actually trying to plan to kill and rob him. With that little bit of history (learnt from our trusty Lonely Planet) we made sure that no-one was out to rob, or kill us, while treating us to a good feast!
Lifuka itself was quite a small island and we stayed in the main town, Pangai. Upon arrival we instantly took back what we said about Nuku'alofa being a ghost town since the main town of Pangai consists of about 4 shops and a bank. Nothing else! Also, the island has even more stray pigs than Tongatapu! Mix with that stray dogs, cats, horses and goats and you've got a pretty good impression of the place! We only stayed here en-route to our planned destination, Uoleva Island.
Left: Tongan sunset; Right: Sunset over the local volcano (lets hope it doesn't erupt!)
Left: An 80 pound flight got us no more than a paper aeroplane! Right: Me in the main town of Pangai during rush-hour!
Where your taxes are going (enlarge photo and check out the small print on the sign!)
Lifuka itself was quite a small island and we stayed in the main town, Pangai. Upon arrival we instantly took back what we said about Nuku'alofa being a ghost town since the main town of Pangai consists of about 4 shops and a bank. Nothing else! Also, the island has even more stray pigs than Tongatapu! Mix with that stray dogs, cats, horses and goats and you've got a pretty good impression of the place! We only stayed here en-route to our planned destination, Uoleva Island.
Left: Tongan sunset; Right: Sunset over the local volcano (lets hope it doesn't erupt!)
Left: An 80 pound flight got us no more than a paper aeroplane! Right: Me in the main town of Pangai during rush-hour!
Where your taxes are going (enlarge photo and check out the small print on the sign!)
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