Day 19 My day in Nuku Alofa.

Another day, another Time zone, another Island tour.

Nuku Alofa, Tonga, was our port of call today, as we entered another Time zone, bringing us 13 hours ahead of GMT. At home, it is 3.20am!

Again, having not visited previously, I availed myself of one of the shore excursions on offer, in the correct assumption that I would see more of the island on one such excursion. I don’t think I was wrong. And the buses are “fantastic”, possibly late 60s and ‘held together’. No air-con and no P.A.- perfect! A photo opportunity was provided at the former Royal Palace. Soon, we were travelling through the flat rural palm tree clad countryside. A cultural demonstration of traditional dance, local custom and way of life was held in large barn type structure seating almost 200. This may have been somewhat “touristy” but nevertheless it was very interesting and informative, worthy of much video. We were at this cultural centre for almost an hour and three quarters. The grand finale after more journeying through this tropical countryside, were, the bore holes where the sea is funnelled into rock formations, creating intermittent “fountains”. We were given just five minutes, but I think a quarter of an hour elapsed before we were on our way back to the ship. Wave activity was, I guess, moderate, but I did manage to capture some spectacular “crashings of the tide” during this all too brief stay.

Back at the quayside, a taxi driver took me on a quick tour of the city, before I re-embarked our ship. We had rain this morning accompanied by a wonderful rainbow. But soon, I was enjoying temperatures of 33 degrees Celsius, according to the Captain in his departure address. Back on board, I caught up with a recently found friend in the Lido. Then on to the sail away party aft on Deck 9, I nearly joined those dancing!

Here are a few pictures which I took today. Hopefully, these should be reasonably self explanatory .