First impressions of Vava'u

We knew we would like it here and we have not been disappointed. The Kingdom of Tonga was one of the few parts of the South Pacific that was not colonized by a European power. The only downside is that it is not as materially well-off as some of the present or former colonies, but the upside is that it has a unique character in terms of people and culture. The people are VERY friendly and hospitable. The landscape is verdant. Neiafu has all of the basic amenities for cruising sailors: safe harbor with strong moorings, ATMs, fresh fruits and veggies, Internet cafes, dining, entertainment, rental cars. We have taken a few days to sample what is here, and its all good! Yesterday we shared a car with our friends Barb and Sieg on Sorceress. Mostly what we saw were modest homes and very productive agriculture. The giant taro is amazing! School was out this week, so we weren't able to visit a classroom, which is something all four of us were interested in. Maybe next week. We're headed out to explore some of the outlying islands and anchorages that Vava'u is famous for. Back with another report in a few days.