Advice for Christmas period in Tonga

Hi,
My partner and I are planing to go to Tonga from the 18th-31st of December. If anyone has any advice on what to expect in Tonga during the Christmas season that'd be great.

I hope this is not overwhleming but I have a few quetions:

1) Can anyone reccommend accommodation on both Tongatapu and Vava'u over the Christmas period?
I should probably mention that on our trip we are not looking for the 5star western resort experience, we would rather have an experience that is more culturally rich and unique.
I have stayed in fales in Samoa before and like the idea of staying in traditional fales in Tonga. Currently we are thinking about staying at Lucky's on Vava'u. Has anyone stayed there before? and I realise it is on the beach, but is there ok swimming there?
Also we are having difficulty deciding on accommodation on Tongatapu, we are thinking about staying at Heilala holiday lodge.

2) Where is the best place to have a traditional tongan feast? I have seen an advert for one at the Tongan National Cultural Center and one at the Good Samaritan.

3) I have heard that there may be a Christmas week festival. Has anyone experienced this, what is involved, and is it on Vava'u?

4) If it is possible, my partner would like to go fishing "local style". I am aware that there are a number of western style game fishing tours available, but I have not seen any less touristy fishing charters. Does anyone know if there are traditional/local fishing tours or if it is culturally appropriate to watch or join local fishermen?

5) Finally, apart from the normal sunday sabith considerations, are there any other things we should be mindful of over the christmas period and on Christmas day?

Thanks for any help and advice you could offer.

Cheers
Lara

I can't help you with Vava'u, but as for Tongatapu...I hear Heilala is very nice, but it's out in the suburbs, kinda middle-of-nowhere-ish.

I think it's more fun to stay in the capital, Nuku'alofa (short term, not long term). It's not much of a town size-wise and entertainment-wise, but you can visit the market for awesome fruit and veg, have western style coffee at Friends cafe, eat out at any number of places, have easy access to the wharf if you want to take a day trip to an offshore island.....

Nerima Lodge in Nuku'alofa is the only place I'd recommend in town. Doubles are TOP$75 a night, including towels, internet, coffee and chilled drinking water. Bathrooms, which are spotless, are shared. Lovely staff and a cute doggie, Koroko.

Re: The Good Samaritan - we never stayed there but I have heard some very dodgy things about the place (from people who stayed there - general dirtiness, drunken men walking around at night, food nothing to write home about) ..... I wouldn't go there for a feast, based on that, but that's just me.
(We were very lucky to see a REAL village celebration on a public holiday and hence never bothered with a tourist show......)

Must agree with Aoo on Nuku'alofa city, as well as Heilala Holiday Lodge being in the suburbs, however, what he described as middle of nowhere ish, is exactly what we found so appealing about the place! We rather enjoyed being able to stay in that little patch of heaven (which, by the way, is just 3k from town). Every single time when returning from the city, we were glad that we did not have to stay in it but had chosen the botanical oasis of Heilala.
As for Good Samaritan, we also never actually stayed there, but we did go to their Friday entertainment night, which was absolutely fine for us! Looking at the overall facility though, it did look quite run down!

In Vavau, I can definitely recommend Lucky's beach resort, we stayed there and (after some research) we had the impression that it was the only beach accommodation on the island that did not charge horrendous prices for additional services, such as meals!

Hi

I remember the beach at Lucky's as being tiny and very ordinary. There's not much in the way of beaches around Vava'u. #2 is right about high prices for extras such as meals at other places - such as Mala island or the Tongan beach resort. I think for beach and swimming, Ha'apai might be better - although I haven't been so can't make any personal recommendations.

For tongan feast and show - Liku'alofa restaurant, which is not far from the Good Samaritan has taken over as the recommended place. It's quite new and well set up. They have feast and shows on Wed and Fri nights - Fri nights is better as Wed is shorter show and not all the acts are included.

If you stay at Ha'atafu surf camp on Tongatapu - they'll let you go out fishing with them in the early morning. They go out every morning and come back with huge Tuna an Mahi Mahi. The days catch is then beautifully cooked and served up for dinner that night. Ha'atufu has very basic fales on a beach front property. It's low key and very well run. Caters to a range of people - surfers, families and couples.

haven't been there over Christmas so can't help you there.

Good luck

"4) If it is possible, my partner would like to go fishing "local style". I am aware that there are a number of western style game fishing tours available, but I have not seen any less touristy fishing charters. Does anyone know if there are traditional/local fishing tours or if it is culturally appropriate to watch or join local fishermen? "

There's a guy who advertises in the Backpackers Hostel as doing Sunday tours and Tongan style fishing-can't remember his name I believe it starts with S.Soni?Soli?

Note that the 3 weeks I was there were no tours and he was unavailable for hire whether that was due to off season or that he works infrequently I don't know and could find no sensible answer.

Anyway Tongans troll just like anyone else maybe a bit slower with poorer quality gear.

There are guys you'll see fishing Grouper in tiny tiny boats but there's only room for one.Click Here for a blurry pic of what I mean

The guy in Neiafu who rents scooters has a boat he charters more cheaply than the rest see if he's motivated.

Of late fishing out of Vava'u has been poor because of low fish counts/poor weather/you name it you may find people uninterested in going fishing at all even if you're paying.

Headed down to Lucky's one day-a remote and industinguished location-you'll need a car or scooter to access supplies in town, the beach requires some imagination to be considered such, swimming might be OK at high tide.

Hi ,

Accomodation for Tongatapu youre right on the mark - Heilala Lodge or Nerima

For Vava'u - Lucky's beach for sure if you want to stay in a fale.

For Fishing the local style just go the Faua Wharf on Vuna Rd about 3kms from Town and you will find alot of local boats there for your fishing experience.

To witness the most original Tongan Performers go to the Tonga National Centre because they perform original Tongan Dances.
You will be invited to sit in a Kava Ceremony and taste the Kava itself which is the highlight of the evening.

On Christmas day everything will be closed just like a sunday.But you can go to Church because it's a holy day.
You will witness christmas lights every where you go and local bands - basically a guitar and a few singers will sing around at homes and in the streets.Also the chruch groups or youth groups with a brass bands will go around playing christmas carols so you will enjoy the christmas spirit and the uniquie style and love of the Tongan people.

Can't say much positive about Nerima Lodge at the moment. We were there recently (19/11/07) while the owner was o/s and we were in the hands of Yuko - our room was dirty, and the bathroom in particular. The free breakfast was a disaster - near-raw bacon and semi-scrambled eggs! We moved to Ali Baba's instead - not the ideal location, but a much nicer venue and still walking distance to town.

Yuko might be in a lot of trouble. Naoki normally keeps a very neat house.