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PLACES
TO STAY |
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Billy's Place
- I came to Ha'apai for rest and quiet. IMO, this place was perfect,
so I stayed almost 2 weeks. It is run by an American lady,
Sandy, that imported everything from the lumber to the beds from the
USA.
- Four "Fales" just off the beach.
- Really "bungalows" vs the bamboo shacks most
Fales really are.
- All building materials imported from the USA
- Good screens, clean cement floors (mosquito/insect proof)
- 2 large Fale is TGP $55/65 (single/double) including Sandy's mega-breakfast
- 2 smaller Fales are TGP $45/55 including Sandy's mega-breakfast
- all rooms plus 2.5% tax
- Two single beds in each Fale
- American mattresses!
- actually have matching sheets and mattress pads
- One central bathroom area
- separate men's and women's side
- very clean, even by USA standards
- cool showers ..... warmer midday
- No electricity, but they run a generator nightly from about 7:30pm to
10:30pm
- A BIG breakfast [PHOTO] is included in the room price.
She keeps bringing food as long as the guests are still eating.
- They normally don't serve
lunch or dinner, but if you have a specialty, contact Sandy by phone
before you come and propose doing a dinner one night during your
stay. Make sure to bring the key ingredients as there isn't much
available on the island except fish, chicken, and coconut milk.
- Water (collected rainwater) safe to drink
- If you have time before you leave home, give the place a ring and ask if
they need anything. They are at the end of the world as far as the
supply system goes.
- 1.5 km from town (Pangai) ..... 10-15 minutes by bicycle
- No children under 12 .. . . . . . . .Thank
you!!
- Bookings: Phone (676) 60-336.
- Note: Book direct, because most tour companies add a
commission to the rates.
- Sandy & Billy Ha'akau, P.O. Box 66, Likufa, Ha'apai,
Kingdom of Tonga
- Webpage: http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/billysplace
- More Photos from Billy's Place
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Sandy Beach (Foa):
- Beach cottages (14)
- private bathrooms with hot water
- Screens & ceiling fan
- refrigerator
- Daily rate TGP $160
- Extra beds $32
- all rooms plus 2.5% tax
- Meals Plan TGP $45 per person (screened dining area)
- Breakfast TGP$ 12
- Lunch snack menu available
- Dinner TPG$ 39 per person
- Full time electricity (240v)
- Nice beach hammocks (last photo)
- Videos/library in main building
- German management
- Phone (676) 60-600
- email: Sandybch@Kalianet.to
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MORE
PHOTOS
FROM HA'APAI GROUP ------->
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Photos
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| DINING:
There are only a few choices for lunch and dinner on Lufika & Foa.
Most people on Lufika go to Lindsay's or Mariner's Cafe. Of the
two, I much preferred Lindsay's. Both are run by colorful expats,
but I didn't see Treavor when I tried Mariner's. If you stop into
Lindsay's and John isn't too busy, expect him to serve up some stories
about his 35 years on Tonga with the food or drinks. Due to the
low volume of traffic on the islands, many of the guests rode bicycles
into town (even after dark).
Lindsay's Cafe: Noon to
2 PM (sometimes). 7pm-9pm (usually open by 6pm)
Mariner's Cafe:
Sandy Beach:
A little more upscale (in price). Daily meal plan for
hotel guests is TGP$ 45 per person. French Fries TGP$5, Diet Coke
TGP$2.50.
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 GETTING
AROUND:
Bicycles: If you stay at Billy's
the bicycles are no charge. These are fairly new one speed
bicycles, but like everything metal on the islands, they are pretty
rusty. The islands are almost flat (a few small hills) and you can
get to the furthest ends (north or south) in less than one hour.
If you stay anywhere else on Lufika or Foa, expect to pay about TGP$10
per day to rent a bike.
Taxi's: From Billy's TGP$3
to downtown, TGP$10 to Sandy Beach
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| INTERNET CAFE's Mariner's
Cafe has internet for TGP $1 per minute! Reported to be TGP$ 2 per
minute in Va'vau.
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| LAUNDRY:
Tina at Billy's will do a small bag of
laundry for TGP $10 (except on Sunday). Let her know in advance!
Where do I get a job like this? |
WHAT’S GOOD:
- Breakfast at Billy's. Pretty much an all-you-can-eat.
Fresh fruit every day with coffee, tea, cereal and something
different every day (toast, scones, french toast, or pancakes).
- Snorkeling near Billy's
- Walking the reef at low tide (near Billy's)
- Swimming on the north tip of Foa (about 3 minutes by bike north of
Sandy Beach. Excellent!
- Whale watching
- Bicycling around Lufika & Foa (not much vehicle traffic)
- Fish (tuna) & chips at Lindsay's guest house
- Chocolate cake at Billy's
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NOT SO GOOD:
- Snorkeling at Sandy beach
- Limited selections of food items on Lufika.
- Bring snacks or food items from Nuku'alofa.
- If you are staying at Billy's, call Sandi and ask what she
wants. You are allowed 20 kg each on the flights from
Nuku'alofa. Overweight is TGP $1 per kilo (less than fifty
cents US for 2.2 pounds)
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WHAT TO DO:
- Snorkeling -- Click for Ha'apai snorkeling guide
- Whale watching
- TGP $60 includes some snorkeling on reefs (about 30 feet deep)
- On a calm day if the whales hang around it is possible to
snorkel with them
- Diving
- TGP 105 for two tank dive with Roland or Monica (TGP 60 for
single dive)
- Numerous reefs, caves, "shark city", etc
- Dive certifications (TGP 510 at Happy Ha'apai Divers at Sandy
Beach)
- Day trips to other islands... start at about TGP$25
- Bicycling
- Walking to the barrier reef at low tide PHOTOS
- Sea
Kayaking
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