September 26, 2012
Neiafu is a waterfront town, but most of the businesses sit perched on the hill above it. It is at once green and tropical yet dusty, new and sturdy yet old and in disrepair, modern yet rustic, lovely yet funky. It is a place where you can buy a phone or computer but may walk by free-roaming pigs along the way. You can get a cab, but it will likely be junkyard-ready and you’ll be driving around a few potholes. The markets are small, but you may find a treasure like Kirkland paper towels or Cattleman’s chili.
There is also an interesting mix of people as most of the businesses are owned by palangi (foreigners). Most of these palangi are Australian, Kiwi or even American, while several of the markets are owned by Chinese. Most of the businesses in town are tourist-oriented and frequented by palangi, but most of the people in town are Tongan.
The Tongan people are laid back, warm and friendly. The palangi business owners are harried and busy, some of them trying to get their Tongan employees to be more harried and busy, too. But it all comes together and the mix of cultures makes this a vibrant, yet low-key, town. It’s an easy place to be (as evidenced by the fact that Rich and I stayed here nearly two months!). -Cyndi
