OFF TO TONGA & NEW ZEALAND TONIGHT!

My reward for shaving my head is at hand!

Hurray AIR NEW ZEALAND (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/default.htm) Thanks for this opportunity -- hope my hair made someone a good toupee! It's looking like I'll get a side benefit from the head shaving as my hair seems to be growing in thicker (though I may have to resort to some peroxide to be as blonde as I once was). Still no gray - but haven't bungy jumped twice yet!!

First the good folks at ANZ take me to Tonga for 4 1/2 days and then on to New Zealand (exploring Northland/Bay of Islands (8 days on North Island) then Queenstown (5 days on South Island).

An attorney in our office queried today: "Do you have to take your trip before too much hair grows back?" I replied: "I could have waited and gone in New Zealand's winter (USA's summer) but then my short hair could make it a bit chillier)."

For all of you planning a trip to New Zealand - you should consider stopping over in Tonga - the Friendly Islands (according to Captain Cook -- everyone is certainly friendly by e-mail!).

Upon landing in Tongapatu, hopefully I'll hear: "Malo e lelei" (Welcome to Tonga!)

Malia Mailingi of Gateway to Paradise and the Tonga Tourism Bureau and their website all helped me plan my trip. See: http://www.gateway-to-paradise.com/ and www.tongaholiday.com were very helpful in planning my trip.

ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDE:

DAY 1: Tour of Eastern side of the island ie Captain Cook landing, Paepae ‘o Tele’a Terraced Tombs, Ha’amonga Trilithon, Anahulu Cave; Light lunch at Oholei Beach and transfer to Fua’amotu Domestic airport, fly Chatham Airlines (http://www.chathamspacific.com/) to Vava'u (chain of islands - known for swimming with the whales June to Nov.)

Night Dive with Dive Vava'u (http://www.divevavau.com/index.asp
Stay one night at Vava'u Harborview Resort (See Trip Advisor's review page: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g317042-d311909-Reviews-Toula_s_Harbor_View_Resort-Vava_u.html

DAY 2

Diving with Beluga Divers http://www.belugadivers.com/

Visit/snorkel and dine at Mounu Island and interview Allan Bowe who launched the swimming with the whales activity in Tonga.

Stay at Mounu Resort (which uses solar power): http://www.mounuisland.com/

DAY 3

Visit the local market which will be a hub of activity since all business close on Sunday for the Sabbath so everyone can attend church

Kayak with Friendly Island Kayak Co. (http://www.fikco.com/)

Fly to Nuku’alofa. Visit the Blow Holes, Flying Foxes and Vakaloa Beach

Sleep at Liku’alofa Resort (http://www.likualofaresort.com/)


DAY 4

Attend church on Tongatapu (See Tonga Holiday's site page about the importance of family and religion in Tonga: http://www.tongaholiday.com/index.php?page_id=10)

Laze around at Pangaimotu Island Resort (http://www.tongaholiday.com/index.php?page_id=121 )

Sleep at Fafa Island Resort (http://www.fafaislandresort.com/index2.html

DAY 5 - Head to Auckland for more adventure in New Zealand (http://www.northlandnz.com/ and http://www.queenstown-nz.co.nz/

IF YOU DECIDE TO HEAD TO TONGA, I'd recommend contacting Malia at Gateway to Paradise for assistance. She can work with a variety of budgets.

I think I previously blogged about my Northland and Queenstown Itineraries. If I didn't will add a post later.


Ciao for now!