The rain was pouring when we drove back to Fua’Amotu airport for our flight to Vava’u island in the northern Vava’u Group (this group was lucky when cyclone Ian devastated large parts of Tonga’s Ha’api group in January). When we walked onto the tarmac we were at first still looking for our plane when it dawned on us that this tiny twin-prop was going to be our ride. The plane was on loan from AirVanuatu because REALTonga airlines apparently cannot even afford their own planes (their second plane, a slightly larger ATR, was a gift from the People’s Republic of China after their previous plane ‘retired’). With only 18 seats and an open cockpit it was kind of interesting to watch our pilots during the pre-flight checks … until the seatbelt sign fell off the front wall and suddenly all passengers became silent. Surprisingly enough it was a really smooth ride with beautiful island views!

the twin prop to Vava’u

the plane is falling apart … look at the seatbelt sign!

“We’re going to crash!”

Vava’u island panorama

the airports are getting even smaller out here.

Once we arrived at Mystic Sands resort we slowed down to local Tonga island time for the next few days: Sleeping, eating, reading, snorkelling and more sleeping. The most exciting adventure was a one hour walk to the nearest village in hope for a cafe by the beach – hahaha, we’re still in Tonga.

Mystic Sands resort from jetty

Mystic Sands resort

no cafe to be seen

exercise of the day: paddle to a small island 🙂

exercise of the day: snorkelling 🙂

doctor fish

stone fish

sailfin fish

Nemo – aehh clown fish

.

Unfortunately I also found a German book in the book exchange library of a very odd German guy who emigrated to Tonga and dared to waste precious hours of my life by writing the utterly annoying and boring book “Hans der Tonganer” … brrrrrr.