• The island of Tongatapu at harbor in Nuku’alofa (the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga)

  • Tongan man who oversees workers wears woven waist mat (ta’ovala) and wrap-skirt (tupenu).

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • Fresh crabs wrapped in woven leaf baskets at the open-air fish market in Nuku’alofa Harbor.

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • The Royal Palace in Nuku’alofa. The Kingdom of Tonga is the only monarchy remaining in the South Pacific.

  • The Ha’amonga’a Maui monument, built at the turn of the 13th century, aligns with the sun on the Winter Solstice (June 21).

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • A typical scene in the Talamahu Market in central Nuku’alofa.

  • In the Talamahu Market: Mele said it took her about 6 months to weave this finely crafted kiekie waist mat.

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • Two boys in the Market enjoy posing for photos.

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • Merchant Shadrach Iloa seeks to preserve his Tongan cultural heritage, demonstrates musical instrument called a nose flute.

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • Scene at airport in Nuku’alofa illustrates the impact of technology, and the generation gap.

  • Staff member at the Tongan National Centre plays and sings traditional Tongan music.

    [photo: Jon Fellows]

  • Our guide ‘Ana demonstrating Tongan dances dressed in tapa cloth, made from the pounded bark of the mulberry tree.

    [photo: Jon Fellows]