Tonga

Antoine's view

What do most people know about Tonga, located on the planet's other side?

That their king, king Tupou IV, is the plumpest king on earth ( Yet it is said that he had to lose a few dozen kilos for medical reasons), and not much more
But the sailors who cruise the Pacific's tropical areas know the Tonga well, especially the northern part of the archipelago, the Vava'u group : in the vast bay of Neiafu usually anchor peacefully dozens of travelling sailboats who come to seek shelter in this anchorage, known as one of the best in the Pacific - yet a recent cyclone has caused lots of damage - and a population that is very proud of its traditions : the annual agricultural feast, under the presidency of King Tupou, is a sight one should not miss.

At the centre of the Tongan archipelago, in the Ha'apai group, time seems to stand still ; the southern part of the islands include the capital, Nuku'alofa, home to the king's picturesque residence, as well as to an important monument in the traditions of the South Pacific, yet of uncertain origin : Haamonga's -Trilithon-, an impressive arch composed of three heavy coral plates.

The archipelago also includes a few volcanoes in its northern part, at least one of them still active: when I sailed through Tonga, it was possible to take off from Vava'u on an ULM and to land on a wonderful volcanic lake, at the centre of a crater, while from the volcano's summit would rise fumaroles.