Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Dining/Travel on Sundays

Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Tonga

I'm in Tonga for 6 days and flying to Auckland on a Monday morning. I'd prefer to stay in Nuku'alofa on Sunday night so I can get to the airport easily on Monday morning but not sure if anything will be open on the mainland on a Sunday ie dining, entertainment etc. Do any of the mainland hotels/resorts serve meals on a Sunday?. Is there much to see and do on the mainland on a Sunday?. Have heard that best place to be on a Sunday is an offshore resort. Also heard that the locals go to Pangaimotu on Sundays. How does one get to and from such places on Sundays? Can I transfer from one hotel/resort to another on a Sunday or does everybody just stay where they are on Sundays? How much of risk would it be to stay away from town on Sunday night eg Fafu, Royal Sunset and travel back via the wharf to the international airport for an 1130am flight on Monday morning.

If anybody can answer any of these questions or has any suggestions as to what my best options are please let me know. Thanks.

There are quite many restaurants operating on Sundays nowadays, and also two taxi companies with Sunday licence (Ph: 23112 & 24270). Toni also does tours on Sunday. Bakeries are open in the afternoon. I actually love listening to choir on Sundays. They are sooooooo good. Many choirs have their singing practice on Sunday evenings as well, which you are welcome to visit.

If you stay at one of the resorts, you may be charged extra for boat transfer back to Nuku'alofa, but if weather is not bad, I don't see any risk.

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Thanks Amaile thats very helpful!

So how do I find the choirs? And do any ferries run on Sundays?

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Most of the churches have their service at 10 am. You can just go in to listen to their singing. Make sure, though, that you are properly dressed.

Boats to Pangaimotu are 10, 11, 12, and 1 o'clock; Fafa at 11; and Royal Sunset at 10 (I think).

Choir practice is called "akohiva" in Tongan. Many begin at around 7 or 8 pm on Sunday evenings. Just ask around, telling them that you want to observe "akohiva".

Cheers

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