Captain Cook arrived at Hapaee, Tonga (one of the Friendly Islands) in May 1777, where he was warmly greeted by Earoupa, the great chief of the island. Since this place had never been visited by any European ships, Cook was quite eager to examine it.

During his stay, he and his men were treated with great hospitality, and their time was spent in mutual gift-giving and witnessing various ceremonies and displays, both formal and entertaining.

Here, Captain Cook and another sailor sit among a circle of Tongan men observing a large group native men performing a dance, lit by tapers held by the watchers. There are instrumentalists in the center of the dancers, beating sticks on the ground. Afterwards, the English reciprocated by putting on a fireworks exhibition for the natives.

Once curiosity had been sufficiently gratified on both sides, Cook then applied himself to the business at hand of exploring Hapaee and other neigboring islands.