WINTER CRUISE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12253, 8 April 1935, Page 2

WINTER CRUISE

MONOAVAI TO iMAKE TRIP TO THE ISLANDS Encouraged by the very successful cruise of the. Marama to fho South iSea Islands , last winter, fhe Union •S.S. Co. lias now arranged for the 11,000 ton Monowai to make a trip to the-Tonga group, Samoa,, and Fiji, in July next. This is the best time for visiting the Islands, when tlioir warmth arid color, make, the greatest contrast with conditions at home in New Zeaand. . The Monowai will start ori the cruise from Auckland on Tuesday. July 9, and will' make,.first for Nukualofa, capital of Tonga, which will bo reached early'on .the morning of July 13. There‘there will he opportunities. . foi* motor runs to tho island of Tongatabu, with visits to t-ho mysterious Haamunga- (a trilithon like those of - Stonehenge) ,to the Langis or tombs of the Sacred Kings, to the Blowholes, and to- the grove of the flying foxes. The following day will he spent in tho beautiful harbor of Vavau, the highlight being a vijset by boat to the Swallows’ Cave, a gorgeously-colored water caye of cathedral dimensions. Next afternoon the Monowai wifi arrive at Apia, the hostoric- capital of Samoa, where the following day will he spent among, scenes of groat beauty, with tho added interest of the charming native life amj of associations with Robert L°uis Stevenson. Leaving Apia in the evening, the Monowai will call next day off Niunfootr Island to drop the “Tin Can Mail” arriving early on Friday, July 19, at lovely Levuka, with its smiling Fijian natives strongly contrasting with the equally pleasant Polynesians hitherto met with . Saturday will he spent at Suva, the capital of Fiji, with its modern buildings and medley of European, Hindu, Fij:an, and other Pacific native life, and that night the departure will he made for Auckland, which will he reached on the morning of Wednesday, July 24.