ISLANDS CRUISE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 106, 21 May 1937, Page 9

ISLANDS CRUISE

The response to the annouhcement oi the Maunganui 's cruise to the ! outh Sea Islands in August has been sp encouraging that the Union 'Steam Ship Company have decided to send the same steamer on a second cruise there, this time With a variation in the itinerary. This cruise will go direct from Wellington to the islands, leaving on the evening of Friday, August 27. This is th© first time a cruise ship has left Wellington' for the South Sea Islands, and it will afford an excellent opportunity for Wellington people and others in the south to make the cruise without having to make the journey to Auckland. The Maunganui will make first for Nukualofa, the capital of Tonga, arriving there ott Wednesday, September 1, where motor runs may be made aefo«t the islana of Tongatabu to the mysterious Haamunga (a huge stone trilithon like those of Stonehenge), the langis or tombS of the scared kings, the blowholes, and the groves of the flying foxes. The next day will be spent at Yavau, one of the islands of the Tongan groups and here will be visited* the cathedral-like Swallows' Cav'e one of • the highlights of the cruise.- . Apia, - the historic capital of Samoa, will be reached oni Thursday, September 2 ^ (western time) . Yearly two days wiR be spent among its beautiful surroundings, and no doubt many will make a pilgrimage to the tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson on Mount Vaea, overlooking Apia. On Tuesday, September 7, Levuka, the former capital of Fiji, will be reached. It is a quaint little town and -in direct contrast to the more •ifhisticated capital of Fiji, Suva, *

which will be reached the same evening. Good roads and modern motor services will make it ' easy to see Suva/s remarlcable variety of scenery, palm-fringed lagoons and native villages. The culminating point of the cruise will be an island night's entertainment and ball at the Grand Pacific Hotel. The departure for New Zealand will be made late on Wednesday, September 8, and the Maunganui will arrive iii Auckland ont Sunday, September 32, and Wellington on Tuesday, September 14. • Any who are interested in the cruise would be well advised to make early apphcation^ to the Union Steam Ship Co. s booking office,. Tennvson street, xvapier, '