CRUISE TO THE ISLANDS

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 12

CRUISE TO THE ISLANDS

MONOWAI’S WINTER TRIP. Encouraged by the very successful cruise of the Marama to the South Sea Islands last winter, the Upion Steam Ship Company has arranged for the 11,000-ton Tvlonowai to make a trip to the Tongan group. Samoa and Fiji, in July next. This is the best time for visiting the Islands, when their warmth and colour make the greatest contrast with conditions at home in New Zealand. The Monowai will start on the cruise from Auckland on Tuesday, July 9, and will make first for Nukualofa, capital of Tonga, which will be reached early on the morning of July 13. At Nukualofa there will be opportunities for motor runs across the island of Tongatabu, with visits to the 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 be spent in the beautiful harbour of Vavau, the highlight being a visit by boat to the Swallows’ Cave, a gorgeouslycoloured water cave of cathedral dimensions.

Next afternoon the Monowai will arrive at Apia, the historic capital of Samoa, where the following day will be spent among scenes of great beauty, with the added interest of the charming native life and of associations with Robert Louis Stevenson. Leaving Apia in the evening, the Monowai will call next day off Niuafoou 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 be spent at Suva, the capital of Fiji, with its modern

buildings and medley of Europeans, Hindu, I’ijian and other Pacific natives. That night the final departure will be made for Auckland, which will be reached on the morning of Wednesday, July 24*.