Week Six - back in Tuvalu after a long break
Island life is interrupted by the arrival of the four planes a week around lunchtime on Mon, Tue, Thu and Sat. While many passengers are coming for business reasons, a few tourists want to tick off their trip to the least visited country. With the Filamona being close to the terminal, its long-term guests are ideally placed to interact with outgoing passengers as they await their flights. First time approaching Funafuti from the north The country gained independence from Great Britain in 1975 and became a Pacific nation by 1978. But due to its remoteness and the convoluted travel arrangements necessary to get here, tourism isn’t catered for. According to the last census, Tuvalu is the second least populated country after the Vatican. Independence Day is next week, 1-Oct, and will be celebrated with a big parade and party. Everyone gets two days off except us. We have to work due to programme and weather delays, but I hope to be able to talk about the festivities next blog...