Neiafu, Vava’u, Tonga

The sun set on the evening of our sea day of April 23rd, and much to our collective relief, it rose again as is customary in this part of the world this morning, April 24.  Phew.

Today we were in the lovely Neiafu Island, Vava’u, Tonga.  I was here some years ago to swim with whales and whale sharks.  It was much as I remembered it.  The town has not changed much and remains a small harbor town.  I opted for a local walking tour, where our first-time guide took us to the obligatory pearl workshop (emphasis on the “shop”), up to look at — through the fence — the royal family’s local home when they come to visit and then over to the big Catholic church all the 2km away on the other side of town.  The church was nice and cool on a hot day.  I liked that the holy water at the entrance to the church was set in large clam shells.  A vernacular touch.

Just outside the island I saw several Brown Noddys trying to catch flying fish.