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| Haapai Islands Vacation and Haapai Islands Luxury Travel Package |
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The Ha' apai island group is located ca 93 miles (150 km) north of Tongatapu. Under half of the nearly 40 islands are inhabited, their total population amounts to 12,000. In terms of geology, this island group can be divided into the western volcanic islands on the one hand and the flat eastern coral islands with their unfrequented beaches on the other.
Tofua is the largest of the volcanic islands, having a surface area of 21 square miles (56 sq km). An interesting historical note is that the mutiny on the ship Bounty took place near this island in the year 1789. The island can be explored as part of a seaplane tour from Pangai (on the island of Lifuka). Tofua's flat-topped volcano is still active, and can be climbed in about 4 hours from the village of Manaka on the east coast. The caldera contams a crater lake suitable for swimming; fissures in the rock here act according to their geological role, emitting smoke and hissing and rumbling. The mountain offers a nice view of neighboring Kao, with its own volcano, which is over 3300 feet high (about 1000 meters).
Life on the islands of the Ha'apai archipelago proceeds in idyllic peace and tranquillity. The flat coral island of Lifuka, with its coconut palms and plantations, is the main island of the Ha'apai group. Pangai is the largest village on Lifuka, with 1500 inhabitants, yet it gives a rather sleepy impression.
There is no disturbing noise or traffic here; on the other hand, there is no nightlife to speak of either. Only a few tourists stray as far as Lifuka, although the Royal Tongan Airlines service the island's airport, Koulo, from Tongatapu or Vava'u daily (except for Sundays). Pangai has a bank, a post office, a police station, a hospital, a tourist office and accommodations. A tour of the island is best done by bicycle.
Taufa'ahau (the future King George Tupou I) was born on Lifuka. The first Tongan to be baptized, he underwent that ceremony here under the Methodists in 1831. His later influential advisor, the missionary Shirley Baker, is honored with a monument that stands north of Pangai.
The present king resides in the King's Palace, at the southern end of Pangai, while visiting the Royal Agricultural Show at the end of the month of September. Palasi Road traverses the island, leading to the east coast where idyllic, secluded sandy beaches await the visitor.
A pier provides a crossing to the neighboring island of Foa to the north. On weekdays, buses travel from Pangai to Faleloa, the northernmost village of this primarily agricultural island. Nearby is the Sandy Beach Resort. Twelve bungalows in splendid surroundings offer an undiluted South Seas vacation to those seeking peace and quiet.
The island of Uoleva, which lies across from the southern tip of Lifuka, is easily reachable on foot (wearing shoes!) at low tide. Fantastic snorkeling areas are to be found here. A further island worth visiting is `Uiha, which contains the Royal Tombs as well as the ancient stone monument known as the Makahokovalu |
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