Nuku'alofa,Tonga

MAP

HOTEL INFO 
THE FRIENDLY ISLANDER
  • all rooms plus 2.5% tax
  

 

 

 
 
HARBOR VIEW
  • Budget TGP $40 per night
    • shared bathrooms/showers
      • very clean
    • I booked 2 weeks in advance and couldn't get in the deluxe rooms
  • all rooms plus 2.5% tax
  • Free breakfast 0730-1030
    • toast, cereal, fruit, juice or coffee
  • Free drop off at the airport
  • Airport pick up was suppose to be TGP $6 vs TGP $12-20 in a cab.  The arrival time I gave them was 10 minutes off so they didn't send a vehicle to pick me up!  Make sure you give them your flight number.
  • Very, very noisy place.  Don't think I would stay here again if I couldn't get the deluxe rooms.  Aircon is available in the deluxe rooms.  Not required to cool the room in Oct, but it would help to reduce the noise.
  • Stayed 3 nights and the owner/manager gave me one night free because of a very minor problem with having to switch rooms when I arrived because they couldn't find the key.  I didn't complain and was very surprised with the free night!
  • Phone (676) 25-488     Fax (676) 25-490
 
 
 
WINNIE'S  GUESTHOUSE
  • Highly recommended by several people I met along the way
  • all rooms plus 2.5% tax
  
 
 
DINING:
Sia Leka's Take Away:  A friend I met on Ha'apai talked me into trying this place.  Great curry and a HUGE portion for TGP $5.  A must!
Friends: This place was very popular, especially for coffee and espresso   
Emerald Chinese Restaurant

Partial Menu

 

Sample Grocery Prices

 

 
GETTING AROUND:  
  • Taxi's: Watch out for "Joe"  Nice guy and very good English, but he charges a 20-40% premium.
  • Walking:
INTERNET CAFE's     
 
 
Time Zone:    13 hours ahead of GMT
LAUNDRY:   The Harbor View advertised TGP $5 for a whole bag or TGP $3 for a half bag.
WHAT’S GOOD:
  • Fish curry at Sia Leka's Take Away
  • ----------  Internet cafe 
  • Watching the blow holes [PHOTOS]  -- A must see!!
NOT SO GOOD:
  • Trying to get a taxi from the airport
  • Nighttime noise at Harbor View
    • After Ha'apai everything is noisy, but lots of street traffic, thin walls, staff playing basketball late at night and early in the morning, construction in the harbor, etc.
WHAT TO DO:
  • Go see the blow holes
  • Scuba Diving
  • The tourist bureau has a list of things to do daily.  Over half the list involves leaving the main island on Tongatapu!
  • Rent a bicycle.  Nice mountain bikes about TGP $8 a day on the waterfront
  • Golf -- 9 holes about TGP $7 including clubs
  • Go to the market
    • Handicraft items are on the second floor