This site is associated with one of the key episodes in the history of Pacific exploration. Captain James Cook, already known to the islanders from previous visits, landed here in April 1777. His arrival was greeted peacefully by the locals, cementing the archipelago’s reputation as the “Friendly Isles”. For several weeks, Cook and his crew conducted astronomical observations, including preparations for the solar eclipse of 5 July 1777, and studied the local flora, fauna and customs. He met with the ruler of Tonga at the time, Tu’i Tonga Pau, and attended important cultural events, such as traditional pigeon hunting. Today, a memorial stone monument erected in 1969 commemorates the historic significance of the event. The surrounding area is a quiet coastal area with tropical vegetation, mangroves and views of the lagoon. This place is not only historical, but also natural, where you can feel the atmosphere of the 18th century and imagine what the meeting of two cultures looked like.