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A Regular Rim Department

Reporting News Of South

Seas Tourism And Travel

From The Inside

King Opens

Tonga’S

First Hotel

From Dorothy Lavin in Nukualofa The International Dateline Hotel in Nukualofa was officially

opened by King Taufa’ahau of

Tonga on September 16 in the presence of about 250 guests.

IN a short speech, the king expressed the hope that the success of the Dateline would lead to further ventures in the same field.

A light touch was added to the occasion when the king bestowed the name Tuimalila II on a female Madagascar tortoise which had just arrived in the kingdom as a gift from Mr. Luis Marden of the National Geographic Society.

Tuimalila II was originally in tended to be a mate for the famous tortoise Tuimalila, which was reputed to have been brought to Tonga by Captain Cook. However, Tuimalila died earlier this year—in the same week that Tuimalila II arrived in Washington from Madagascar.

After the official opening of the hotel, the Royal party and official guests made a leisurely inspection.

Then cocktails and a cold buffet were served. Three bands provided con tinuous music, and three groups of dancers demonstrated all types of Polynesian dancing.

Although built on modern lines, the Dateline has a definite Tongan flavour. Much of the beauty of the surroundings can be attributed tc Joe Rapadas, of the Tonga Construc tion Company, who was responsible for most of the decor, including the magnificent map of Tongatapu in coloured mosaic tiles inset in the floor of the foyer.

Gifts From Royal Family

Gifts from the Royal family have further enhanced the Tongan atmosphere.

King Taufa’ahau presented a priceless ancient kava bowl for the private lounge.

On the wall of the dining room hangs a finely woven mat depicting Tuimalila, which was a gift from Queen Mata’aho.

In the lounge is another large mai with a. woven Tongan fale scene a gift from Princess Melenaite.

Amenities at the hotel include

swimming pools and a large recrea tion hall where indoor bowls, table tennis and darts may be enjoyed.

An air-conditioned bus provides free transport to and from the air port, transport to town and daily trips out to the coastal beaches and scenic spots.

Glass-bottomed boats are under construction for sight-seeing on the coral reefs, and boats are available for visiting the outer small islands.

Although Tonga is off the jet routes, she can now offer tourists ac commodation of international stan dards.

The picture on page 117 shows Tongan dancers performing at the feast to mark the opening of the new hotel.

Opposite (top) is a Tongan girl in a tapa dress serving food at the feast, and (below) young members of the Royal family trying out the hotel's swimming pool for the first time.

On this page (top) is a view of the hotel from the sea; the middle picture shows King Taufa'ahau cutting the ribbon to open the hotel; and (below) is the hotel chef, Mr. E. Bateman, and Mrs. Bateman, with the kitchen staff.

Mr. Bateman is fourth from the left in the back row; Mrs. Bateman is in the black dress. The man in the black tie is Mr. Masaso, of the Department of Agriculture.

Photos: Qantas and Hettig.