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One of New Zealand’s best bands in one of New Zealand’s best bars!

Last trip to Tonga for 2025 all done

A Tongan scene with a dog hiding
Spot the dog - not Spot, the dog.

7 trips in a year

I managed to make 7 trips to Tonga this year - three when I was still nursing (and so was ‘off’ when in Tonga), and four in my new job as an analyst. I’m really grateful to both my previous employer in the ICU, and my current for allowing me to travel regularly - and to work remotely over here. I’m incredibly lucky to be able to come to this beautiful place while my wife is deployed here.

I’ve met some wonderful people and had incredible experiences in this pacific paradise, and I’m really looking forward to coming back in the new year. Tonga is a very special place. It can be incredibly frustrating, but the natural beauty of its ocean and the warmth of its people more than make up for some of the struggles of day to day life here.

Whales are incredible

If you are thinking of coming over, I strongly encourage it, especially if you are thinking of doing a whale swim. I have been twice now - both times with the amazing team at Tahi Tonga - full disclosure: they are freinds of mine, but I would still recommend them regardless. The experience is second to none, and I remain incredibly impressed with the care and passion they have for their work - and most importantly the beautiful whales. They had a great season this year, and next year can only get better.

Food

Food can sometimes be a challenge over here, but I’m grateful to have had some very memorable meals and drinks this year. Particular shoutouts to the staff and management of the ubiquitous Billfish bar - good people every one, and our default drinking hole this year. I’ve loved the coffee from Weta, and ate the best pie on the island at the Tonga Cold Store. Willy Borealis gets my prize for the best value on the island - fantastic Chinese at a very reasonable price, and what a name! Highly recommended! Bula Chef Restaurant has recently opened, and while the service can sometimes be a little hit-and-miss, it more than makes up for it with its beautiful views and fantastic food. I love Top bar and restaurant, and really recommend a trip up in the lift for a nice view of Nuku’alofa, especially at night. Friends Cafe and The Coffee Post are also great places to meet and get a nice snack. PTH bar is the first bar I’ve ever been to where I can order a beer - and a hammer. It’s at the back of the PTH Hardware store (aka Tonga Bunnings), and whilst everything is in bottles the vibe is great and the staff are lovely. Recommended - and don’t forget to try their fabulous Egg Drop sandwich! Overall though the best food I’ve had on the island has been that made at home.

This trip was only a week long but it feels like we packed in a load of adventures. A wonderful friend of ours decided to take up the hobby of sailing, and promptly bought a 26ft yacht - despite never having sailed a day in her life. Supported by her able-bodied crew she has taught herself the basics and we had many memorable days and evenings onboard.

Highlights of the year

Highlights of the incredible diving over here were - of course - the whales - but actually a close second was seeing two sea kraits on two separate diving trips. I watched in awe as these incredibly dangerous (but perfectly docile) creatures slunk gently across the sea bed, ignoring enthralled me. A single octopus - rare during the day - was another highlight (sorry Ishla). Overall the snorkelling around the main island of Nuku’alofa is amazing. The island is surrounded by a reef, but swim out to the point where it drops away and you are in an ocean paradise. Unforgettable.

A group of six people are smiling and sailing on a boat with a cloudy sky and ocean in the background.A large cruise ship sails on a cloudy ocean.A person wearing a hat is swimming near a sailboat in clear blue water, with a tropical island and palm trees in the background.A person wearing sunglasses and a cap is smiling while sitting on a sailboat in the ocean.A smiling couple is taking a selfie on a sailing boat with a man in the background giving a thumbs-up.Two people are relaxing on a boat, with their feet up, looking out at the open sea under a clear blue sky.A person stands on a docked sailboat with calm turquoise water and trees in the background.A white Honda minivan is on the road with a makeshift cardboard license plate reading TEST.Aerial view of a coastal landscape featuring lush greenery, sprawling fields, a winding road, and expansive ocean beneath a partly cloudy sky.A breathtaking view of a cloudscape with sunlight streaming over a vast expanse of fluffy clouds and blue sky.Palm trees silhouetted against a vibrant sunset sky with a few clouds, seen near a coastal area.A person walks along a tranquil beach with a dramatic sunset casting light through the clouds.A small fire burns in a sandy pit on a beach at sunset, with dramatic clouds and calm ocean in the background.Bright pink and purple bougainvillea flowers dominate a lush garden scene under a clear blue sky.A street scene features a small store with a red sign, vibrant pink flowering trees, parked cars, and a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.A rustic rural setting features a tree with graffiti, a small building with colorful artwork on its side, and a car parked under a clear blue sky.A dog is walking across a sunny street with trees and a building in the background.A two-story building labeled Wally's and Borealis is situated on a sunny street corner with a blue sky and scattered clouds above.A plaque commemorates the Nuku'alofa Sidewalk Project, funded by Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China, and commissioned in December 2020, featuring both the Chinese and Tongan flags.A weathered, abandoned house with a rusted roof and peeling paint stands behind a gated entrance, set against a partly cloudy sky.

An honour to see this old girl lumber into the sky from our hotel room this morning