Lem's islands in the sun

Above, mist-shrouded Vatu Vara in the Northern Lau Group. An eccentric American millionaire once owned the island. Gossip had it that he payed for everything in gold, so a rumour naturally got about that there was a cache of bullion on the island, and Vatu Vara became known as "Treasure Island". Left, an historical tree. In the middle of the last century, a Tongan Chief, Ma'afu, who ruled the Mualevu in Northern Lau, crushed a rebellion on the island. To com memorate the occasion Ma'afu planted the tree (at left). The Lau Group is today becoming a tourist attraction, as the story opposite tells.

Photos are by Rob Wright.

Our girl in Suva, Sue Wendt, recently took a trip on the 'Tui Lau'. She sent us this report.