TONGA ~The Royal Palace ~

...Great first written and stamped postcard from Tonga... I'm really thankfull to David who sent me this fabulous postcard from his travels to all these exotic and "Hard-to-Get places!!!
see Postcard a world travelogue


 With special lovely shaped fruit stamps and clear postmark:
2012 Olympics Tonga
2001  selfadhesive Pineapple and  Watermelon stamp

Tonga, an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean south of Samoa, also known as the Friendly Islands, it comprises 176 islands, fifty-two of these islands are inhabited.  Tonga is the only monarchy in the Pacific since Taufa'ahau (King George) in 1875 declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, he also gave Tonga its first constitution.Tonga is also the only island nation in the region to have avoided formal colonisation.

 In 1970 the former British protectorate acquired its independence. Almost two-thirds of Tonga's population live on the main island Tongatapu, on which the capital city Nuku'alofa is located.

This Victorian white wooden Royal Palace was completely built in 1867, remains unchanged till they added a veranda in 1882 and  is the official residence of the King of Tong

TONGA ~vava'u~

if someone is still looking for a holiday place for this summer.... I think I find it.... Looks so exotic... :)

Vava'u is a raised coral island, as is Tongatapu and consists of one large island and as many as 40 smaller islands. Tradition says that the mythical hero Maui who fished both islands from the sea, put a little more effort into Vava'u which is a big island rising 204 metres above sea level with a stunningly beautiful dramatic coastline. Approaching Vava'u by sea is a special experience as you weave through the maze-like scattered islands to the sheltered Port of Refuge.

TONGA

The Kingdom of Tonga is the only sovereign monarchy azmong the island nations of the Pacific Ocean.

TONGA

The Kingdom of Tonga in the south Pacific ocean comprises an archipelago of 171 islands.

TONGA ~Ha'apai~

The Ha'apai archipelago is a remote Tonga sea kayaking paradise. Home to some of the friendliest people in the Kingdom, Ha'apai's relaxed pace of life is little changed from a century ago.