Tonga.

The Kingdom of Tonga, amongst the few in the South Pacific, is a collection of small islands. My first trip there was to the main island of Tongatapu.

Tonga overwhelmed me with the exceptional friendliness of the locals. It is impossible to express it with words. Everyone says hello and smiles. Most Tongan guys that I saw looked very solid, and almost intimidating. So, when a guy with biceps the size of VW Beatle welcomes you warmly and smiles, that is overwhelming.

Tongatapu was very nice as well. The capital, Nuku’alofa, had great architecture. Interesting churches were scattered around the island. Schoolboys were dressed very smart. There was a version of Stonehenge and a collection of blowholes.