ISLANDS CRUISE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 122, 9 June 1937, Page 7

ISLANDS CRUISE

Maunganui from Wellington Although New Zealanders have no Riviera or Cote d 'Azur to slip across to for their winter holiday, as have folk in England, they still have the warmth and colour of the South Sea Islands almost at their doors, The response to the announcement of cruise fhere by the Maunganui from Auckland in Augnst has been so encouraging that the Union Steam Ship Co. has arranged for the same steamer to sail from Wellington, on a further cruise to Tonga, Sanaoa and Fiji, leaving Wellington on the evening oi Augusf 27. The Maunganui 's first call will be fl-f Nuknalofa, the capital of Tonga and the seat of governmept. Tonga is unique among Pacific Islands inasmuch as it is still niled over by a descendant of its ancient Royal Line which strptclies back hundreds of year. Visits will be made from Nukualofa to the spectacular blowholes, to the mysterious Haamunga or monument of the saered kings, and to the Grove of the Flying •Foxes. A call will be made next day at the beautiful island-studded harbour of Vavau, and excursionists will be taken to the lovely Swaliows' Cave, the pillared wall 3 of which are all a-shim-mer with glancing lights refiected by tho clear sapphire-coloured water in tbe cave. Passengers will be amid some of the loveliest scenery in the Pacific When tho Maunganui reachea Apia, the interesting capital of Samoa, which is the next port of call. Ineidentally, they' will have the opportunity of visiting .the tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson. The morning after leaving Apia, the Niuafoou, well-known for its "Tini can" mail. After another day at sea, Levuka, on the island of Ovalau, in the Fiji: Group, will be reaehed, where there will be exhibitions of native dancing and a trip to the Cawaci Mission Stalion. The Maunganui will arrive at Suva. Maunganui will call off the island of the laFt port of call, on Tuesday, September 7. Modern motor serviees will enable passengers to gee, comforttibly and quickly, mueh of the remarkal'le variety of scepery with which Suva abpunds. Ope of the high-lights of the cru^e will be an Island Nights entertainment and ball at the Grgnd Pacific Hotel. Native melodies and dances in the beautiful grounds provide an unforgettable entertainment. The departure for New Zealand will be made late on Wednesday, September Sth, and the Maunganui will arrive in Auckland on Sunday, September 12th, and iq WelHugton on Tuesday, September 14th. Apavt from the place? to be visited, the varied life and entertainment uboard ghip in the way qf daucing, talkie pictures, deck sports, etc., will form a wouderful pick-me-up for those needing a complete divorcement from tho worrjes and cares of every-day life.