September 12, 2012
We set out for our second day in our current favorite resort: the air conditioned, automatic-shift Toyota Rav 4 we had rented. We motored back up over the mountain, a cool air-conditioned breeze wafting through the upholstered seats. Our first stop was a waterfall lookout not far off the main highway. The waterfall is 100 meters tall in a heavily-forested gorge and quite a sight.
While there, we ran into another group of cruisers who had rented a car. One couple was clearly in charge of that day’s itinerary. I asked if they were stopping at the Tu Sua Trench, and they said no, that someone had told them, “It’s not worth the bother.” I notice people have a tendency to put more weight on the first opinion they hear about a place they’ve yet to visit, and to convince them otherwise is an uphill battle. I tried hard, especially for their passengers who seemed interested as I described it, but to no avail. I watched them drive off, knowing they weren’t going to change their minds and wondering if the person who had declared it “not worth the bother” had even been there.
Recently we had new neighbors arrive to our marina. They had been to Tonga and spent a total of four days there before heading on, complaining there was “nothing to do.” With hundreds of islands and anchorages spread out over two hundred miles, some of the worlds top dive and snorkel sites, breeding humpback whales and their young, and two good-size towns filled with waterfront bars and restaurants, we could not fathom how someone could be bored within four days, especially since two of them would be devoted to checking into and out of the country. Some people have strange opinions, but this was so crazy we wondered if they had actually had gone to Tonga or if they had in fact gone to the small island of Nuie and thought it was Tonga. We later confirmed they knew where Tonga was and had been there. All you can do is shake your head and wonder at some of the things people say and do.
This last bit has nothing to do with the waterfall, but as I write this I’m actually in Tonga and can now say with confidence that those guys were completely nuts. I guess the moral of this story is always get (and listen to) at least two opinions. -Cyndi
