CRUISES TO THE ISLANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 28, 3 February 1938, Page 5

CRUISES TO THE ISLANDS

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 Maunganui, in July and August next, which are being announced by the Union Steam Ship Co., 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 Maunganui will leave Auckland on Thursday, July 7, for Rarotonga, the main island of the Cook Group and one of the most beautiful. The next place of cail 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 fail to appeal. Moorea, a lovely island about ten 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. After three days at sea the Maunganui will call next at Apia, the interesting capital of Western Samoa, 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, will follow. Vavau has one of the loveliest harbours in the South Seas and from here excursionists will be taken to the indescribably 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 of unusual interest and chaim. The Maunganui will leave Nukualofa on Monday, July 25, arriving back in Auckland on Friday ■ morning, July 29. I The second cruise, while shorter I than the first, has much the same interest to offer. The Maunganui will leave Auckland on Friday, July 29, and Wellington on Monday, August 1, for Nukualofa, where the day will be spent sightseeing. The next stop will be at Vavau, in whose lovely islandstudded harbour, trips will be made by launches and ships boats. The Maunganui will then make for Apia, beloved by R. L. Stevenson, where sightseeing amongst the exuberant tropic vegetation and charming native life will occupy the best part of two days. The morning after leaving Apia, the Maunganui will call off the island of i Niuafoou, notable for its “Tin-can” I mail. After another day at sea, Levuka, on the island of Ovalau in the Fiji group, will be reached, and here amidst a setting of gorgeous colouring there will be exhibitions of