TWO WINTER CRUISES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 53, 4 March 1939, Page 14

TWO WINTER CRUISES

TO THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. To bo transported within a few days from the noise and bustle, caics and worries of the work-a-day world to islands where people are as permanently happy as it is possible for humankind to be, amid surroundings of beauty only dreamed of, will be the experience of those who take either of the cruises to the South Sea Islands by the Maunganui in July and August next, which are being announced by the Union Steam Ship Company. On the first cruise the Maunganui will leave Auckland on Thursday, July 6, for Rarotonga, one of the loveliest islands in the Cook Group, where the day will be spent. The call at Tahiti, which is the nexi. place to be visited, has been arranged to coincide with the Fall of the Bastille celebrations. Papeete, the capital, with is mixture of Tahitian, French and Chinese peoples, will be en fete during the two days the Maunganui is in port. The next day will be spent at Moorea, a lovely island about 10 miles from Tahiti. Three lazy days at sea and then Apia, the capital of Western Samoa, will be reached on Wednesday, July 19. Numerous taxis are available for trips on good roads to the many beautv spots in and around Apia. Visits follow to two delightful Tongan ports, Vavua and Nukualofa, Iht Maunganui leaving the latter on

Monday, July 24, and arriving back at Auckland on Friday morning, July 28. The second cruise, although shorter than the first, takes in some of the loveliest of the South Sea Islands. The Maunganui wiil leave Wellington on Monday, July 31, for Nukualofa, the capital of Tonga, the last surviving kingdom of the Pacific. Some of the most entrancing scenery of the Pacific will be seen by passenger.-, when the Maunganui reaches Apia, where sightseeing amongst the exuberant tropic vegetation and charming native life will occupy the best part of two days. The morning alter leaving Apia, the Maunganui will call off the island of Niuafoou, of “lincan mail” fame. Another day at sea, and Levuka, Ihe one-time capual of Fiji, on the island of Ovalau, v. i be reached. The Maunganui win arrive at Suva, the last port of call, on Friday, August 1. The departur. for New Zealand will be made or. Saturday evening, August 12, and the Maunganui will arrive at Auckland o. Wednesday, August 16, and at eilington on August 18.