Nuku'alofa, Tonga |
We entered the Kingdom of Tonga, the only country in the region that was never colonized - - making them unique in the South Pacific. Consisting of 176 islands, Tonga has a history dating back over 3,000 years, and the monarchy has been in place for about 1,000 years. Today, Tonga still has a monarchy and the King has the final say in all matters in tbe country. Tonga was given the nickname "the friendly islands" after Captain James Cook arrived here in 1776.
In the 19th century missionaries arrived, converting the majority of the islanders to Christianity. This zeal to convert the natives during this period was tbe norm throughout the South Pacific with strong inroads made by the Mormons and the Catholic church. The strong bond to Christianity still holds true today. Sunday is strictly a day of worship with church choirs and hymns being an integral part of the culture. Sunday is a day of rest and it's enshrined in Tongan law that it is illegal to work. There are no international or domestic flights, shops are closed, the streets are empty, sports are prohibited, and most Tongans are going to church, feasting and sleeping
Our first port of call in Tonga was the capital where a large part of Tonga's population lives. This walkable city has a friendly feeling, an interesting market and a surprising amount of international influence.
We did not explore very much since someone was quite "peak-ed" that day and needed to rest.
Interesting Tonga factoid: Around the island you'll see neatly tarmacked roads emblazoned with 'China Aid' signs and hear people talking about the 'Japan road'. They're referring to the sources of international funding used to construct these thoroughfares. China and Japan seem locked in a battle to see who can inject more money into Tonga's economy by financing civic projects: roads, schools, hospitals, police stations, community health centers. Why? The international largesse is most welcome and Tonga is deeply indebted, but some cynical locals suggest that what China wants in return is to establish a naval base here, and that Japan is angling towards recommencing whaling in Tongan waters.
In the 19th century missionaries arrived, converting the majority of the islanders to Christianity. This zeal to convert the natives during this period was tbe norm throughout the South Pacific with strong inroads made by the Mormons and the Catholic church. The strong bond to Christianity still holds true today. Sunday is strictly a day of worship with church choirs and hymns being an integral part of the culture. Sunday is a day of rest and it's enshrined in Tongan law that it is illegal to work. There are no international or domestic flights, shops are closed, the streets are empty, sports are prohibited, and most Tongans are going to church, feasting and sleeping
Our first port of call in Tonga was the capital where a large part of Tonga's population lives. This walkable city has a friendly feeling, an interesting market and a surprising amount of international influence.
We did not explore very much since someone was quite "peak-ed" that day and needed to rest.
Interesting Tonga factoid: Around the island you'll see neatly tarmacked roads emblazoned with 'China Aid' signs and hear people talking about the 'Japan road'. They're referring to the sources of international funding used to construct these thoroughfares. China and Japan seem locked in a battle to see who can inject more money into Tonga's economy by financing civic projects: roads, schools, hospitals, police stations, community health centers. Why? The international largesse is most welcome and Tonga is deeply indebted, but some cynical locals suggest that what China wants in return is to establish a naval base here, and that Japan is angling towards recommencing whaling in Tongan waters.
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