I visited Tonga X-mas 2002 and imagine that nothing much has changed. 'Time' tends to stand still there. Had a wonderful time! ^ ^ ^

Used a UA 30,000 point award ticket to fly Air New Zealand from SYD via AKL business class. Had a stopover in AKL on the way back. Very good value for the miles you have to travel. Kiwiflyer, I believe you are correct, Royal Tonga Airlines, owned by the King, did go belly up...

Do attend Sunday morning mass on the main island. We went on Christmas Day - the singing is AMAZING and you instantly become one of the locals!

People are very, very friendly. Although Tongans look very 'imposing' your safety is not at risk at any time! Relax & enjoy!

Beware, accommodation is 'basic' and a lot of the things don't work (properly) and won't be fixed either... If you're happy with 'basic' you won't be disappointed!

Here's the link to Ozstamps (day to day) thread on our trip at the time:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showt...ighlight=Tonga

The visit to the tiny island of Eu'a is well worth it, especially if you are 'adventurers'. The 5 o'clock pig 'rush hour' alone is worth it!
I'm led to believe by our hosts that whale watching/diving is spectacular when in season (Sept-Nov?). The photos they showed us certainly looked the part! We organised our trip via the local travel agent: going over by ferry (you cross the deepest water rift in the world - and it's a bit 'wild & woolly'). We flew back which was another adventure. The flight attendant welcomes you with a basket of seat belts extensions because (most of) the locals cannot buckle up using just the fitted one...). Of course, everyone and everything gets weighted before it all goes on board the small plane...

Found a website link on Eu'a:
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/t...estin/eua.html
We stayed at the "Hide Away" guest house - very simple, yet special...
It's a father and son operation building it up again after a super wave destroyed the original and apparently very nice accommodation that was built over the water. They have re-build 6 'basic' rooms now, this time 20m away from the beach. The son was our guide for the two days/two nights we were on the island and he was very good.

All prices in/around Tonga are very reasonable. You go back to a way of life that doesn't exist anymore in the western world...