Tonga

The trip to Tonga in 2013 began by accident—as an answer to New Zealand immigration asking for proof of onward travel. A few days later, on 2 April, we flew out of Auckland and spent eight days on the main island of Tongatapu.

The green Toni’s Guest House near Nukuʻalofa became our base. From there, improvised day trips led to Kolovai Beach, coconut plantations, the Mapuʻa ʻa Vaea blowholes, Hufangalupe’s natural land bridge and the stone trilithon of Haʻamonga ʻa Maui. Plans took shape as we went, often around the blue table or in one of the beach bars.

The final part of the gallery belongs to Pangaimotu: its warm lagoon, shipwreck, hammock and the slow rhythm of a small Pacific island. Together, the photographs preserve eight unplanned days among villages, palms and ocean.