Fakaofo
This is the first of Tokelau's three atolls and it's historical "capital". The ship will arrive here about a day and a half after leaving Samoa. Unless you have pre-arranged accommodation with a host family, there is no opportunity to stay overnight.You can, however, go on shore while the MV Tokelau offloads cargo and people to the island, by catching a ride on the metal dinghy which commutes between ship and shore. There is no natural harbour anywhere in Tokelau, so the ship drops anchor offshore and uses a crane and manpower to transport goods.Fakaofo's population is just 500 but despite this small number, suffers badly from overcrowding. It seems unthinkable, doesn't it? But you see why from when you first spot Fakaofo. As with the other Tokelauan atolls, Fakaofo is a chain of islands, but only one is inhabited. For social and administrative reasons, everybody piles on to one piece of...
