EXTENSIVE ISLANDS TRIP

Evening Star, Issue 22618, 9 April 1937, Page 3

EXTENSIVE ISLANDS TRIP

MAUNGANUI’S WINTER CRUISE Encouraged by the very successful cruise to the South Sea Islands which was made by the Monowai last winter, the Union /Steam Ship Company has 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 he a call at Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, at which port the Maunganui will arrive on the morning of Monday, August 9, leaving again early on August 11 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 and the natives are much more primitive in their -ways than in the more frequented islands. Apia, the historic capital of Samoa, will be reached on August 16, and two days will be spent in beautiul surroundings, with the added interest of the charming native life and the associations with Robert Louis Stevenson. From Apia the steamer goes to Vavau, arriving on the morning of Friday, August 20, and leaving again that evening.' During the day a visit will Be made by boat to the cathedral-like water cave known as the Swallows’ 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 of Tongatahu to many points of interest, including the mysterious Haamunga (a trilithon like those of Stonehenge), the Langis or tombs of the Sacred Kings, blowholes, and the grove of the flying foxes. The departure for Auckland will be made in the evening, and the Maunganui will arrive there on Wednesday, August 25.