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Eat Drink, and Be Merry
By Heather Freckmann — Spring
2004
Friends Café (011-676-21284) in Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu Island, is quite cosmopolitan and has an adjoining Internet cafe. Sit outside and watch people, dogs, and the occasional pig strolling down Taufa’ahau Road. You might even see the king’s motorcade like we did!
Teta Tours (011-676-23690)
offers spectacular island sightseeing tours including trips to the Mapu’a’a
Vaca blowholes, the flying foxes at Kolovai, the Lapaha Archaeological
Site, and more. We felt we got our money’s worth from this company,
but it does have several competitors. For a complete list, contact the
Tonga Visitors Bureau (011-676-25334) or visit www.tongaholiday.com.
Ana’s Café in Neiafu, Vava’u Island (011-676-70664, VHF Channel 72) is a popular waterfront restaurant and home of the Port of Refuge Yacht Club. Enjoy Friday night yacht races, happy hour, dart nights, and quiz nights.
Beluga Diving (011-676-70327) has scuba courses and dive trips, plus paragliding and windsurfing. Dolphin Pacific Diving (011-676-70292) is a PADI Gold Palm Resort and Instructor Development Center.
Friendly Islands Kayak Company (011-676-70173) provides kayak rentals, guided tours, and expeditions. These folks also run guided mountain-biking trips if you want to get off the water for an afternoon.
The Mermaid Restaurant on the Neiafu waterfront (011-676-70730, VHF Channel 16) has a casual atmosphere and a variety of live music shows that frequently include Tongan dancing. The bar is filled with boat memorabilia from around the world. This is the place for a cold beer with offerings like bangers ’n mash and fish ’n chips.
Sailing Safaris (011-676-70650) offers professional, highly educational whale-watching tours that let you snorkel alongside the humpbacks if the weather (and the whales) cooperate. In Tonga, private boats have to keep their distance so the commercial operators can get close, so companies like this are your best bet for a close encounter with the magnificent animals.
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