First of all, Matafonua is fortunate to have an EXCELLENT cook – a member of the Church from the local village. (I bet they have GREAT ward dinners!)
Secondly, you couldn’t ask for a better setting to enjoy a good meal!
As the sun began to set, a storm moved in, and the water in the channel between the islands began to throb with an ethereal light that was absorbed by the clouds.
We all cleared out of the veranda and hurried to the beach. This photo is looking north.
We turned the corner and looked to the west. In just a few minutes, dessert had been served!!!
During our dinner, Darrin and Nina told us that they have “owned” Matafonua for 9 years, and just “purchased” Sandy Beach Resort a year ago. (In Tonga, the king owns all of the land, and people lease it from him.
In the case of Liahona, for example, the Church is roughly in the middle of a 99 year lease.) Darrin and Nina bought their lease of both Matafonua and Sandy Beach for a total of 10,000 pa’anga, roughly $5,000.00 U.S.. Not bad!
However, no-one (no lessees) own the beaches in Tonga. They are for everyone to enjoy.
Peni and Dorothy Tonga enjoying a swim off Sandy Beach.
The permanent residents of Matafonua have Mana!
Phil and Jan's Adventure in Tonga 