Tongatapu tips

Hi There!
My husband and I got a good deal on a ticket to Tonga and decided to take my mother on a trip.
We can't spend much, so I have been looking into some budget accommodation in Tongatapu, which is where we will have to stay most of the time as we will only have 4 days.
I have read a few reviews but cant decide between Nerima Lodge and Toni's guesthouse. Toni's seem to be much cheaper, but if Nerima is superior in quality, we will go for it.. what do you think?
Also, we would appreciate if you could give us a few tips on places to see while there. We wish we could go to some of the other islands, but as I said, we don't have much time (or money) to spare...
Any suggestions will be much appreciated!
Thanks a lot and Happy new year to everybody!
Hope 2008 will be a great year, full of travelling opportunities :-)

I would reccomend the Nerima. Best service in Tonga. (way better than the Dateline. ahem.)

You can get out to the islands in the Tongatapu lagoon for a few hours / all day.

It is a relaxing way to chill-out, sitting on the beach, swimming and having a couple of very cold beers. (With such a short stay, I would recommend going out in the early afternoon and coming back in on the last trip, which is usually just on dusk - a magic time to be cutting across the lagoon - and if you're lucky, a full-on fiery Pacific Sunset!)

The boat across to Pangai Motu leaves from Faua Jetty (nr Queen Salote Wharf)

And when you get back in, an evening meal at the near-by (and often raucous) Billfish Restaurant, before wandering back to your accomodation would end a beautiful day.

I would also recommend an early start on at least one morning - photos taken of the churches and the gentle light on the Palace will be among your best, and there is always something special in being out-and-about as a sleepy tropical town stirs itself for another day.

The Island Night at the Dateline is also good - big feed and pretty entertaining - and without Harry around, the Chinese cook with the big knife is probably pretty calm now ;-)

Cheers,

Rob

I wouldn't recommend Billfish Bar it's nothing special just a noisy bar full of people looking to argue/pick fights and get as drunk as possible.

The Island Night at the Dateline is also good - big feed and pretty entertaining - and without Harry around, the Chinese cook with the big knife is probably pretty calm now ;-)

The Island night is excellent value. all that singing and dancing and food for TOP$25. although I did have one complaint from an Aussie lady - "they aren't real you know". I didn't say "Yes I know, I'm the one who pays them". She also had problems when we didn't have any soy milk. as you guys know, If it ain't on the boat, we don't have it. That cook (you couldn't call him a chef) is hopefully back in China. because if he is in Tonga when I return,....

One relaxing thing I enjoyed, and it is expensive, OP< is a walk around fafa Island.