WINTER CRUISE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 84, 10 April 1937, Page 13

WINTER CRUISE.

TO SOUTH SEA ISLANDS.

MAUNGAXUI'S. ITINERARY.

Encouraged by the successful cruise to the South Sea Islands which was, made by the Monowai last winter, the Union Steam Ship Company announced that in August of this year the Maunganui will make a much more extensive trip to the Islands, touching the Cook group, Tahiti, Samoa and the Tonga group, also the islands of Moorea and Bora Bora which have never before been visited by a cruise steamer. The Maunganui will start on the cruise from Auckland on Tuesday, August 3, and will make first for Rarotonga, the principal island of the Cook group, arriving at the port of Avarua on the morning of Saturday, August 7, and leaving again the same evening. Next will be a call at Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, where the Maunganui will arrive on the morning of Monday, August 9, leaving again early on the 11th for Moorea, a lovely island close to Tahiti. - Thursday, August 12 will be spent at Bora Bora, one of the Leeward Islands of the Society group. Bora Bora, like Moorea, is off the usual trade routes ami the natives are uiuch more primitive in their ways than in the more frequented islands. Apia, the historic capital of Samoa, will be reached on August 10 and two days will be spent there. From Apia the steamer will go to Vavau, arriving on

the morning of Friday, August 20, and leaving again that evening. During the (lav a visit will be made by boat to the cathedral-like water cave known at Swallow's Cave. On Saturday, August 21, the ship will reach Nukualofa. the capital of Tonga, where there will be opportunities for motor runs across the island to Tonga tabu, and many points of interest, including the mysterious Haamunga (a trilithan like those of Stonehenge), the Langi* or Tombs of the Sacred Kings, the Blowholes and the grove of the flying foxes. The departure for Auckland will be made in the evening and the Maunganui will arrive in the Waiteniata on Wednesday, August 25.