The
Victorian white-framed Royal Palace, surrounded by massive Norfolk pines,
dominates the seafront in Nuku'alofa. The Royal Palace was completed in
1867 and has remained unchanged except for a second storey verandah added
in 1882.
Along
the rocky terraced coastline at Homua, 14.5 km from town, waves spout over
18m in the air through coral rock, creating one of the most impressive
sight in the Pacific.
One
of Tonga's most intriguing monuments, the Ha'amonga Trilathon was erected
around 1200 A.D. The Trilathon is 5 meters high, and each coral-lime stone
weighs more than 40 tons. It is preserved within a 23 acre National Historic
Reserve.
Clinging
by the hundreds to Casuarina trees at the village of Kolovai, 18 km from
Nuku'alofa, are the flying foxes. These bats with fox-like heads are sacred,
and may be hunted only by members of the Royal Family.
Situated
near town, the Royal Tombs have been the burial place of Tongan Royalty
since 1893.