Mata-Utu

Mata-Utu is the capital of Wallis and Futuna and the main village of Uvea, the larger island, set on the east coast behind the reef. Its cathedral stands beside the palace of the Lavelua, the traditional king, and both are still in use. The island is small enough to circle in a morning. Lake Lalolalo lies inland, a crater lake ringed by vertical cliffs that drop to dark water, and the stone fortress of Talietumu is the best preserved of the sites left from Tongan rule. Sunday mass fills the churches with singing, and kava is drunk in the villages.