Ha'apai

The Ha'apai Group consists of low coral atolls set amongst coral reefs, spectacular in their colour and variety, however channels can only be navigated by smaller passenger vessels. The villages are neat and carefully set out on manicured lawns.

Ha'apai's most important island and administrative centre, Lifuka, is the sort of place which some people come to for a couple of days and wish they could stay a couple of months, while others wish themselves elsewhere after a couple of hours. If tranquility, an almost stationary pace of life, and an indication of how most of the South Seas once was are what you seek then this is the place for you.

Ha'apai is rarely visited and it would be no surprise if you find yourself in Ha'apai as the only visitor. You may find there a number of foreigners, but they will most likely be there either as volunteers or some similar capacity.

'Ulukalala Finau captured and sunk the Port au Prince here in Ha'apai and the young William Mariner was spared during the sacking. Mr. Mariner's recording of his four years in Tonga is a classic work on early Polynesian life. See our books section for availability and pricing.

The English explorer Captain James Cook visited Lifuka in 1777 and from the festivities and cordial nature of the people named the island the "Friendly Island". The name has since been applied to the entire Kingdom.

In Ha'apai it is almost obligatory to show gestures of greeting as you pass by people on the road, or hear their greetings from their dwellings. A nice friendly, relaxing environment for the visitor who mostly wants to relax.

[For a piece of the Kingdom, and Your Own Domain Name,
http://www.tonic.to easily the Tonic.to Domain Name headaches.]