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Click for more information about Tokelau Islands
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2012 Apr by Jorge Sanchez |
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First of all you need to go to the Tokelau liaison in Apia, Samoa. If you are lucky you will get the permit to visit Tokelau after eight days, at a cost of 20 NZ dollars, but that does not mean that you will go there after 8 days. Native people are first, and only if there are extra places in the boat (there is no airport in Tokelau) then you are allowed to board the boat. I waited in Apia during 3 weeks. In the first boat I was not allowed because it was full with local passengers. The boat, Lady Naomi, was OK. Food was enough and you could repeat. It was included in the boat ticket (about 200 euro round trip). To sleep, you have cabins, but it is hote, so it is better to sleep outside, on deck, in spite of the frequent rains. There is a sailing every 3 weeks, always from Apia. If you want to stay there, on one of the three islands, you will have to wait for the next boat during 3 weeks. There are two hotels in Tokelau, both in Nukunonu atoll. If you do not want to spend 3 weeks in the islands, then you have about three hours time in every island, the time while they unload the cargo. The round trip Apia - three atolls - Apia, is 5 days. In every island live about 500 people, so in the three island there are about 1500 souls. They sell stamps and souvenirs for the rare tourists. People are very curious and you will be invited to coconuts and fish, at least that was my case. In every atoll you will be stamped your passport. The Police know about your arrival, so they will require your passport upon disembarking in every island. The boat only downloaded cargo, mainly food, toilet paper and beers. And they loaded empty beers bottles. Practically in Tokelau nothing is produced, except a little amount of tuna fish that is exported to Japan. I also saw some souvenirs to be sold in Apia. |