Some feedback on our holiday to Tonga

We (Family of 5: mum, dad and 3 teenage kids) have just come back from Tonga so here are our thoughts:
- Tonga is a lovely Pacific destination, very poor compared to some of its neighbours and tourism is only starting to develop. Don't expect any luxury resorts with banana boats or the services that come with them. (But then again, you probably wouldn't find these people here on the forum.:-))
Saying that, you may want to allow a budget to donate a small amount of your traveling money to one of local schools, as they are really struggling to provide the basics.
- We had 1 day of pouring rain and thunder storms during our 10 day stay. Temperature in July was warm, but pleasant. I used a polar fleece a couple of times at night and a light cardigan on a cloudy/windy day. Bring lots and lots of insect repellent as mozzies are everywhere. I asked locals about dengue fever and they all said it had been a long time since they last heard about it in Tonga. Dress is very traditional and you really feel out of place in tiny shorts and a plunging neckline. Around the resorts (away from villages) you are fine with normal togs, as long as you don't go topless.
- Spend some time on Ha'apai or Vava'u if possible. Tongatapu is lovely for a few days, but doesn't compete with Ha'apai (were we stayed) beachwise, or snorkelwise.
-In Nuku'alofa, I recommend eating out in 'Friends' (of course), but absolutely loved 'Fresh' on the warf. We were also recommended 'Fiesta' (seafood place on the street behind the warf) by locals, but didn't make it there in the end. You can eat lunch from T$8-17, for diner, allow T$17-30. We saw signs out in the Tongatapu country for a hot and spicy curry for T$3 (Don't know what they are worth, though) Drinks are around T$1 for a coconut, T$3 for a 1.5l water bottle in the super market (although you can also drink tap water-we did), T$ 2.5-3 for a soft drink, T$5 for a local beer, same for a glass of wine. A smoothie or similar is about $T6. (prices are higher on Ha'apai) Fish in Tonga is incredibly fresh and absolutely divine. Highly recommended!
-We had a rental car from 'Fab rental cars' , which- despite looking very Tongan (meaning they wouldn't be allowed on the road in New Zealand) was running without a problem. Service from the company was great and turned out reliable. Their offices were a bit of a shocker though.:-)
-We had a great time in Matafonua Lodge on Ha'apai. I would recommend it to both families and couples. My worries about its remoteness and possibilities to keep 3 teenagers occupied seemed ungrounded. We met a couple that was spending 2 weeks there without a sign of boredom, and we really felt like wanting to stay there a bit longer than we were (5 nights).Snorkeling off the beach is great, with more fish than we ever saw in Samoa or in Fiji. For small children, however it is not ideal, as the water becomes quite deep quite fast with sudden drops and there also seemed to be a reasonable current.
- We went to the dance night in Hina Cave and also happened to be in Vakaloa Beach Resort on their performance night. We paid T$35 for the first (plus transport), T$40 for the second. The Hina Cave location is a real bonus, food is great, the Tongan performances spotless. A real minus however was the fact that we waited for 2 hours for 'the night' to begin. Although the show was really well done, the owner was so over the top and the waiters were so pushy for drinks, I ended up feeling like I was on a cruise. Not good...
Vakaloa Beach resort was less polished, but therefore more enjoyable. Their show also included dances from other islands.
I wonder what the show at the cultural centre was like?

excellent comments.

I lived there, briefly, rather than holidayed there,and they are a lovely warm unpretentious people.

I'm sure Amaile can help with distributing any donations.

(Leave it at the Nerima Lodge, a wonderful and cheap B&B).

Hi Marthune,
Interesting to read your comments. We are going back to Tonga in October, but only have a week in Vava'u this time. Hoping to see some whales. I saw your previous post about cash versus credit cards. Did you find a good solution? We were in Tonga in '06 and enjoyed the islands and the people, so we have to go back. The kids can't wait!
Gavin

Hi- Thank you for the report! It was really helpful to find out.
I booked a flight to Nuku Alofa, arriving there in the morning of the 3rd of Sept. Trying to get to Vava U or Haapai.
I cannot find the way to get there. Having such a difficulty finding a flight! Could anybody help me?

thank you so much-
erena