IT’S 1000 NAUTICAL MILES FROM AUCKLAND TO TONGA. For the non-seafaring — and that would include yours truly —a nautical mile is one minute (1/60th of a degree) of latitude or 1.15 statute miles. All of this is mox nix when the last third of the voyage is on rough seas, however.
The Royal Palace
I was still suffering from jet-lag and/or mal-de-mer yesterday when we docked at Nuku’alofa, Tonga but dogedly followed Connie to explore the island. The main attraction for most visitors is the 1867 Royal Palace, closed to the public today.
Hands-on Science Cool Dudes of Tonga
Naturally, we walked along the shoreline searching out new birds. We saw several new species and ran into a high-school biology class alternately studying the mudflats and mugging for us. Kids will be kids, no matter where they live.
Black Noddy Wandering Tattler
It seems that Nuku’alofa is one of the few ports where we can actually dock. Mostly, like here in Vava’u we have to take a tender to shore. “Independents” like us have to be ready very early or wait for those with shore excursions to board; returning to the ship is first-come.
Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove
We got an early start and followed a shop-owner’s directions to continue “up, up, up” to Mt. Talau National Park. Well, we didn’t actually do the final “up” on the steep, slimy steps, but we did see several new and colorful birds. We also enjoyed the brass band on the pier, especially a rarely heard solo on the baritone horn, Connie’s old instrument.
