GENERAL INFORMATION TRAVEL INFORMATION

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1 GENERAL INFORMATION At Sailing Adventure Holidays we seek to provide you with an experience you will never forget. We will take you to some of the most beautiful and idyllic waters in the world at an affordable price. The kingdom of Tonga is a Polynesian pacific country located approximately 4.5 hour flight from Sydney. It comprises of 176 islands, 36 of which are inhabited, the islands are divided into three main groups Tonga tapu, Vava u and Ha apai with a total population of approximately The island group of Vava u is the most beautiful and pristine in the world, there are in excess of forty recognized anchorages in an area no more than ten miles long and seven miles wide. The diving and snorkelling is amazing in crystal clear water and brilliantly coloured coral and reef fish. During the months of July through November the area is home to huge pods of Humpback whales, which often swim with yachts accompanied by their newly born offspring. TRAVEL INFORMATION PASSPORTS You must have a valid passport when you travel to Tonga. Please ensure that your passport is valid for up to six months beyond your scheduled stay. Australian passport holders can obtain a visa upon arrival if staying for less than 30 days. CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION You must clear Customs & Immigration before leaving the airport. A landing card will be issued on the plane, along with a Customs declaration form. DUTY FREE: For persons over the age of 18 years, your personal concession allows you to bring up to 500 grams of manufactured tobacco including cigars and cigarettes. You are also permitted 2.25L of Portable spirits or 4.5L of wine or 4.5L of beer, ale or stout. Full customs charges are payable on goods which are not eligible for concession or are in excess of the allowances. FLIGHTS/TRANSFERS/TAXI s Virgin Australia operates direct international flights from Sydney to Tonga (Nuku alofa) and is the most convenient and cost effective way to travel. See their website: An inter-island commuter flight must be taken from Nuku alofa s Fau amotu Airport on Tonga tapu to the island of Vava u where the yacht tour will take place. This commuter flight takes 1 hour, Real Tonga operate these domestic flights from Nuku alofa to Vava u. See their website: Sailing Adventure Holidays will arrange all road transport arrangements between the airports and to the yacht tour start/finish location. 1

2 ACCOMMODATION Please contact Sailing Adventure Holidays before booking flights, our tours to Vavau have been timed to coincide with flight schedules that will negate the necessity for overnight accommodation in Tonga or Vava u. However if you wish to stay longer in either Nuku alofa or Vavau we recommend the following accommodation providers and maybe be able to broker a discounted price on your behalf. Nuku alofa: Little Italy - Vava u: Hilltop Hotel - CURRENCY The unit of currency in Tonga is the Tongan Pa anga (TOP), the exchange rate is approximately: 1 AUD to 1.8 TOP CREDIT CARDS Not all establishments accept credit cards, those that do accept Visa and MasterCard, charge a 5% credit card surcharge. There are also 2 ATM machines located in Tonga Tapu and Vavau. SAILING/BOAT INFORMATION The vessel being used for this tour is a sailing Catamaran yacht with 4 private double cabins, it is has a 4 private shower/head, on board refrigeration and cooking facilities. BOARDING & BRIEFING INFORMATION Embarkation Time: 1200hrs 14 April 2013 Disembarkation Time: 1200hrs 21 April 2013 WEATHER Vava'u enjoys a tropical climate with average daily temperatures of 29ºC in January and 24ºC in June. The weather is warm and generally sunny throughout the year. November to April, the weather is more humid and thunderstorms are more frequent, but the water is warmer for swimming, there is still excellent visibility for diving, and quieter winds for sailing. The best time to visit is during the driest season, April November. Trade winds blow year round. A light sweater may be needed for evenings. LINEN/TOWELS There is no requirement to bring linen or towels; the vessel is supplied with adequate number of towels and linen for your use. FOOD/ALCOHOL Sailing Adventure Holidays provide a full catering service on board for all meals which includes beverages (soft drinks, beer, wine and spirits). This is included in the price of your tour, if you have specific dietary requirements; please notify us in advance so the appropriate menu can be prepared. 2

3 ELECTRICITY/MUSIC The standard voltage of electricity in Tonga is 220 volts. The standard voltage on all yachts is 12 volts. The yacht is fitted with a Stereo/CD player. There is also an auxiliary input for MP3, IPOD, IPHONE and LAPTOP s. Sailing Adventure Holidays will supply a laptop on board for your use. CAMERAS s Please bring your own cameras if you wish to record your adventure however you are reminded so ensure your bring adequate batteries or a 12 volt charger. MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE The main provider in Tonga is Digicell. Cell phone coverage can be sporadic once you are out sailing, but there are places where you can receive coverage. Cell calls are cheap and you can purchase a local calling card. Vodafone also works in the islands; however, you will be charged international roaming rates. Wi-Fi Wi-Fi is available at the Mango restaurant in front of the yacht tour base. It s good for the boat while docked or moored, but won t work once you sail, so you can only connect in Neiafu Harbour. Clients will be able to get online in Tonga tapu & Neiafu town. There is no internet available on board at this stage. TRAVEL INSURANCE: The insurance of the vessel covers you for personal injury, death, loss, accidental damage or theft of personal belongings. However you are advised to consider getting separate travel insurance to cover you for your periods of transit to and from the boat. SKIPPER DETAILS: Sailing Adventure Holidays was established in Sydney, Australia during March 2013 by Mark Goode and his Tongan born friend Semisi Falekakala. Mark has been serving as a law enforcement officer for the previous 19 years. He has held positions with the New South Wales Police, has deployed with the United Nations peacekeeping missions in Timor-Leste and the Sudan. For the previous six years he has worked as a Sergeant in transnational organised crime investigations with the Australian Federal Police. His real passion in life is sailing and sharing his adventures with others. Mark has undertaken a number of training courses and accumulated a number of years of sailing experience to ensure you and your friends have a safe an enjoyable sailing adventure. Mark has accrued over 4000 nautical miles of sea time which has included a number of passages up and down the east coast of Australia, a crossing of bass strait and extended periods of sailing through the Mediterranean waters of Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta & Spain. He currently sails regularly out of Sydney and is shortly to undertake his Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Yacht master examination. 3

4 ACTIVITIES AND EXTRAS ADVENTURE SAILING KIT The price of your tour includes a t-shirt and baseball cap with logo of the tour along with the following kit bags to use for the trip and keep afterwards. Waterproof sailing bag Waterproof back pack SNORKELLING GEAR The vessel is supplied with adequate snorkelling equipment on board for your use. FISHING Sailing Adventure Holidays supply fishing equipment on board. The main fish caught are Mahi-Mahi, Spanish mackerel, Skip Jack Tuna, Coral Trout and Giant Trevally. TONGAN FEAST & ACTIVITIES Semisi Falekakala was born and raised in Vava u. He is fluent in the local language and is well known throughout the islands. He is a current serving member of the NSW Police and Australian Federal Police. He lives and works in Sydney, taking the opportunity whenever he can to share his beautiful homeland with others. Expect to be treated to traditional song and dance along with local cuisine cooked in traditional umu method. Throughout the trip Semisi and I will show you some of the most beautiful and untouched island in the Pacific. We can snorkel in the crystal clear water and its brilliantly coloured coral reef and take you through underwater caves used by Tongan warriors during war times. Semisi will cook you dinner exposing you to the Tongan traditions of profound and innate customary foods that are exclusive to Tonga in conjunction to its technique of cooking, ingredients and fresh instant produce straight from the land and sea. We will provide you with the complete experience of Tonga. Island communities will welcome you into their communities with Traditional Tongan Dances and farewell you with a smile you will never forget. You will get the option of attending the tradition Tongan church in the customary attire and the unique process of having the Kava Tonga as you enjoy the sunset whist the local play their traditional music. 4

5 ITINEREARY ONE WEEK SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Neiafu Harbour - Hunga Island Day 2 Hunga Island-Vaka eitu Day 3 Vak eitu-mounu-lisa Beach Day 4 Lisa Beach-Mananita-Kenutu Day 5 Kenutu-Eueiki - Taunga Day 6 Taunga-Nuku-Port Maurelle Day 7 Port Maurelle-Lotuma-Neiafu harbour Note : The sailing itinerary is subject to change dependant on weather and local conditions. 5