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Solomon Island   Tahiti    French Polynesia   Tonga

One Of The Best Tropical Beach Locations Is The Sandy Beach Resort Tonga Islands

It is situated on Foa Island, Ha'apai Group, and can be reached from the international airport on Tongatapu in 35 minutes followed by a ten minute car ride.

That in actual point of fact is the theory, but it doesn't always work that way, but the owner meets you at the airport, so if you are even several hours later than expected, don't worry.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/one-of-the-best-tropical-beach-locations-is-the-sandy-beach-resort-tonga-islands-115036.html

Vanuatu and Tonga - Hidden Treasures of the Pacific

Vanuatu consists of more than 80 islands, lying about 2000 kilometres north-east of Brisbane. The largest island, Espiritu Santo, is 4010 square kilometres. Australia is a mainly a flat land, but most of Vanuatu's islands are dominated by mountainous regions. The highest peak, Mt Tabwemasana (1880 metres), is on Espiritu Santo. The Earth beneath Vanuatu is unstable, and there is volcanic and earthquake activity.

Vanuatu has been inhabited for more than 3000 years. Separate communities developed, but trade between islands was common, and canoes were used to move people and produce.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans to come to Vanuatu, in 1606. Next I came the French in 1768, then the British led by Captain James Cook in 1774. Cook named the islands the 'New Hebrides'. During the 1840s, traders and missionaries made contact.

From 1887 to 1980 control over the New Hebrides was shared by France and Britain. During World War II, the New Hebrides were a key base for the Allies in the battles to prevent the Japanese taking control of the South Pacific and Australia. Vanuatu gained independence on 30 July 1980.

About 200 000 people live in Vanuatu, the same number as in Hobart. Most people live on the islands of Efate, Espiritu Santo, Malakula and Tanna. Unlike Australia, 95 per cent of people in Vanuatu are native to the country. They are known as Ni-Vanuatu, and like Aboriginal Australians they have a special relationship with their environment.

The remaining five per cent consist of French, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese and Chinese people, as well as other Pacific Islanders. Three main languages are spoken - English, French and Bislama (a form of pidgin English).

The literacy rate in Vanuatu is low, and most students do not attend secondary school. But, in Port Vila, there is a technical college and a campus of the University of the South Pacific.

The economy is centred around the land, and major agricultural exports are beef and cocoa. Most people are involved in subsistence agriculture. There is also a large timber industry, and tourism is important to the economy, providing work in tourist areas, such as Vila.

Tonga

Tonga lies about 650 kilometres east of Fiji. It consists of 150 islands, and 40 of them are inhabited. The capital city is Nuku'alofa, which is on Tongatapu, the main island.

Polynesians first settled in Tonga about 3500 years ago. Captain James Cook made several visits during the 1770s and named the islands the Friendly Islands. Tonga gained full independence from Britain on 4 June 1970, but remains a member of the Commonwealth. Kings and queens have ruled Tonga for more than 1000 years. The reigning king is Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

The population of Tonga is approximately 110 000, which is similar to the population of Cairns. Most people are of Polynesian descent, and they speak English and Polynesian. They are committed Christians with the main denomination being the Free Wesleyan Church.

The economy of Tonga revolves around agriculture and fishing, with pumpkins, coconuts and bananas being major crops. Education is important in Tonga, and school is compulsory for children between the ages of six and 14.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/vanuatu-and-tonga-hidden-treasures-of-the-pacific-706379.html

Mounu Island Vavau Tonga

A Romantic Honeymoon Package like no other could be Mounu Island Vavau Tonga. A South Pacific Honeymoon is very special, and Mounu is situated in one of the most beautiful areas of Tonga. It is small, only a 6.5 acre coral atoll, surrounded by shimmering white sand that your feet sink into and turquoise sea that is so clear you can see the fish, and a climate that means warm balmy nights almost all year round. Your romantic honeymoon package can help the environment as well because Mounu has been set up as an Eco Resort.

Mounu Island Resort consists of four fales, which are scattered around the atoll, each with its own private beach, and there is a Honeymoon suite, all with great verandas, and very comfortably furnished. Don't worry about the composting toilets, they work extremely well, in fact better than some toilets on mainland deluxe hotels!!

Try to go in high season, between July and September, because of the absolute delight of whale watching, even swimming with the humpback whales, even just off the beach before breakfast!! What kind of romantic honeymoon package would that make!!

The meals are a delight, well cooked, well presented, and more than enough to eat, using local fresh fruits, home made breads, and of course wonderfully fresh fish, not forgetting the baked coconut. Their crayfish pasta dish is worth the trip alone. The freshest Tuna, Marlin, Wahoo, Coral Trout, Snapper and Lobster all feature on the menu.

Breakfasts are superb, and often made to order, either full English or crepes.

There is plenty to do on Mounu Island on your South Pacific Island vacation, what with swimming, fishing, snorkelling, whale watching, or just reading one of the library books and relaxing to the sound of the sea, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. It is worth giving a special mention to the snorkelling, which is absolutely superb only a few feet from the beach. It is like being in a gigantic tropical fish tank, with colours the like of which you are unlikely to see again.

This isn't the place for the party animal who needs all the 5 star comforts and service, but it makes a perfect romantic honeymoon package, with the beach, the sea, no noise, no crowds. Having said that the owners are well worth taking the time to get to know and chat to, because it will make your evenings a lot of fun, just listening to them, and their tales of Tongan life.

All in all, Mounu Island has everything for the perfect romantic honeymoon package, a South Pacific Island Vacation with a difference, and just as ideal for the stressed out executive. Go for it.
For other South Pacific Hideaways go to http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/categories/Pacific-Ocean-Hideways/

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/mounu-island-vavau-tonga-189770.html

Dancing With Whales, By David Stanley

We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing?

Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean's annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider.

To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a whale, the swim boats must come closer than the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and repeated disturbances can lead to the animals changing their behaviour and even abandoning their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially threatening the health of the whales.

This high-risk activity is not covered by most travel insurance policies. The humpback whales of Tonga are wild animals with powerful fins, and swimming near one always involves some risk. The movements of these huge creatures can be fatal to a human swimmer, either accidentally or if the beast feels threatened, and a nursing mother with calf can be especially unpredictable. Swimming into the path of a whale greatly increases the danger.

In Tonga, sharks are known to frequent areas where there are whales, especially calves, and at least one shark attack on a Tongan guide swimming with whales has been recorded. A tragic accident involving tourists seems to be only a matter of time.

Most whale encounters occur in deep waters where unperceived currents and wave action can soon tire a snorkeler and possibly lead to panic. For these reasons, responsible whalewatching companies like Whale Discoveries do not offer snorkeling with whales.

Of course, the demand is there, and pressure has come to bear on the Tongan Government to revise its guidelines to allow boats to come within 10 meters of a whale. Several new whalewatching licenses have been issued recently, raising the number of commercial operators in this small area to about a dozen, and vessels often have to queue to drop off swimmers. Cases have been observed of boats approaching to within five meters of whale pods, and of mother humpbacks and calves being pursued out to sea.

Visitors should be aware that by purchasing such an excursion, they could be adversely affecting the noble creatures they came to see. It's a good idea to discuss these matters with the operator before booking your trip, and to avoid those who seem most interested in maximizing their own profits at the expense of the whales.

Even if you decide to book such a tour, be aware that only 10 percent of swim-with attempts are successful and there are no refunds. These concerns only apply to attempts to actually swim with whales, and whalewatching from a boat at a safe distance is no problem.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/dancing-with-whales-by-david-stanley-9574.html

David Stanley is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific which has a chapter on Tonga. Stanley's maps, photos, and writings on Tonga may be perused on TonganHoliday.com.

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, so long as the byline and resource box are included. Please do not use this article without the byline and resource box. Many thanks!

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Antarctica    Australia    Cook Island    Fiji    New Zealand   Palau    Papua New Guinea   
Solomon Island   Tahiti    French Polynesia   Tonga