I have just come back from spending 10 days in the small island town of Neiafu on Vava'u; a group of 60 or so islands in north Tonga. I was able to fly there via Fiji. ( Nadi airport is really becoming an important airline hub in the Pacific.) I have long wanted to visit Vava'u because of reports of its beauty. It is also known for whale watching and as a safe harbor for all those adventurous yachties who go sailing around the South Pacific. Fortunately, whale and yacht season does not start for another month or so and I had a peaceful town and island to explore.
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| View over the town of Neiafu from the hospital hill. |
Vava'u had the usual island food crops and tropical garden plants that are found around the Pacific islands. Tonga, in general, is known for its watermelons, and in recent years Vava'u has got into growing vanilla. One surprise for me was to see several homes sporting gladiolus flowers in their gardens. Apparently they bring the gladiolus corms back from New Zealand trips. The gladiolus seemed to be doing well despite the tropical climate so it might be something you want to try out in your tropical garden. As usual, a few photos to give you a sense of the place.
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| Watermelon for sale at the town market |
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| This was a popular variety of banana there. |
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I loved the low cottage garden fences and gates. They also
served to keep out the many free range pigs wandering around. |
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| These small roses were popular in private and public gardens. |
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| A small "food forest" in town. |
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| A pineapple plantation. |
Aloha
