Tonga

Two weeks in Tonga for Christmas and New Years Eve were absolutely beautiful.  Much of the time was spent around the capital town of Nuku'alofa ("Village of Love")  and the main island, Tongatapu ("Sacred South").  Photos are of a boat we took to a nearby island, a man fishing along the reef's edge, Hufangalupe ("Pigeon's Gate"), the Mapu'a 'a Vaca ("Chief's Whistle") Blowholes, and the Ha'amonga 'a Maui ("Maui's Burden") Trilithon.   

The best part of the trip was the opportunity to stay with Teki's (Tongan) family and enjoy local food.  A few archeological sites are well preserved, including the trilithon in the bottom picture which is made of limestone taken from the Wallis Islands (West of Samoa) and constructed in the early 13th century.  Snorkelling was also fantastic.