πΉπ΄ Tonga-Nuku'alofa Travel Guide: Sea Cucumber Paradise! ποΈπ
Visa: π Visa-free for most nationalities! Accommodation: π The Village Backpackers (Agoda) β Cheap ($15/night) & central, but dirty (spider webs π·οΈ, dead cockroaches πͺ³). Empty = private room! Food: π½οΈ Mumβs Cafe Nukuβalofa β Local dishes like Fried Banana & Lolo (coconut fish soup π₯₯π). Big portions, affordable! SIM Card: π± Airport kiosk (open for flights) or Digicel downtown: $5 for 2GB/2 days. Transport: π Day 1: Free boat ride with a friend! Saw a lagoon full of giant sea cucumbers (pic 1), sea urchins, and conchs. π Day 2: Rented a car + driver ($130/day) β Driver was a 300lb chill guy π. Self-drive? Only $40/day! (Hostel quoted $300 for island tour β scam!) Nukuβalofa City Sights: ποΈ Royal Palace π β View from outside only. Talamahu Market π β Local crafts, kava medicine (pic 6), tree bark art (watch your step β white bark drying!). National Museum ποΈ β Always closed. Skip! Ancient Tonga β Traditional kava/clothing demos. (Skipped β seen elsewhere.) Royal Tomb βͺ β Church on top. Island Tour Stops: ππ¨ 3-Headed Coconut Tree π΄ β Weird but fun. Tsunami Rock πͺ¨ β Overgrown path + worms. Just a rock. Meh. Mapuβa Vaea Blowholes ππ¦ β MUST-SEE! Epic water jets! Hufangalupe Lookout π β Stunning views. Anahulu Cave π³οΈ β Swim inside! ($20 entry). Haβamonga βa Maui πΏ β Coral "Stonehenge." Captain Cook Landing Site β β History spot. #Tonga #WhaleWatching #TravelTips #SouthPacific #SoloFemaleTravel πΊπ