CRUISES TO THE ISLANDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19549, 3 February 1938, Page 8

CRUISES TO THE ISLANDS

TWO NEXT WINTER MA l ING AN I' I ' S ITIN ERAR V Novelists and journalists who have written so delightfully of the lure of the South Sea Islands have left a desire in many people to visit them one day for themselves. Two winter cruises by the Maimganui in July and August next, which are being announced by the Union Steam Ship Company, will afford an opportunity for many to discover for themselves that the spell which has been cast, over so many writers is not. merely fanciful.

On the first cruise the Maimganui will leave Auckland on Thursday. July 7, lor Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Croup and one of tile most beautiful. The next place of call will be Tahiti in the Society Group, the cosmopolitan atmosphere of whose capital, Papeete, with its strange mingling of native and French and Chinese peoples, never fails to appeal. Moorca, a lovely island about 10 miles from Tahiti, and Bora Bora, about 150 miles away, which are the next places to be visited, in their fresh unsophistication are in direct contrast to Papeete.

Delightful Ports After three days at sea the Maimganui will call next at Apia, the interesting capital Y>f Western San\oa, where passengers will find themselves amid some of the loveliest scenery in the Pacific. Incidentally, they will have the opportunity here of visiting the tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson.

Visits to two delightful Tongan ports. Vavau and Nukualofa, wfll follow. Vavau has one of the loveliest harbours in the South Seas and from here excurtionists will be taken to the beautiful Swallows' Cave. They will find Nukualofa, the seat of Government, with its tombs of the ancient kings and the wood of the bats, full tf unusual interest and charm. The Maimganui will leave Nukualofa on Monday, July 25, arriving back at Auckland on Friday, July 29. The Second Cruise The second cruise, while shorter than the first, has much the same interest to (tier. The Maimganui will leave Auckland on Friday, July 29, and Wellington on Monday, August I. for Nukualofa, Vavau, Apia, the Island of Niuafoou, notable for its "tin-can mail, Levuka, where exhibitions of native dancing and singing will be given, and Suva. At the lastmentioned port, where modern motor services make travel very pleasurable, there will be an Island nights entertainment and ball at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The departure for New Zealand will be made late on Saturday, August 13, and the Maimganui will arrive at Auckland on Wednesday, August 17, and at Wellington on August 19. Apart from the visits to so many of the islands, the varied life and entertainment on board ship in the way of dancing, talkie pictures, and deck sports form a change for those needing a complete respite from the worries and cares of everyday life,