5 weeks -- Which Country

qwerty507:20 UTC18 Mar 2009

Hi,

I'm traveling to the South Pacific for the first time 5 weeks in the near future. I'm 33, single, and just looking for quiet, isolated, beautiful beaches, and an area that isn't very expensive or totally discovered. Most of the info I've seen is making me think the Cook Islands are the best place, but I've also read some interesting stories about Palau. Don't care at all about bars, partying, or being around people, just want the best beaches and maybe some interior jungle.

So weighing those factors, cost, travel time between internal islands, which country would you recommend visiting?

Thanks so much!
Appreciate any advice you well-seasoned travellers can provide!!!

mandja21:59 UTC18 Mar 2009

"just want the best beaches and maybe some interior jungle."- this describes MOST of the Pacific Is - certainly there are places like that in New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu (I havent been to the others)

ozziegiraffe11:29 UTC19 Mar 2009

If you have 5 weeks I would suggest one of the larger countries, like Solomon Islands or Vanuatu.
Fiji has more tourists, Solomon Islands has fewest, but has many beautiful places and diverse cultures, and you have long enough to enjoy several of them.

watsoff16:44 UTC19 Mar 2009

I also opt for Solomon Islands. You can get around the different islands by ferry, somewhat basic but a great experience. Vanuatu is also a good bet but I think you have to fly between the different islands.

sunseasandz20:46 UTC24 Mar 2009

As an alternative or an 'add-on' to travel in NZ I was considering a similar trip to the person who began this thread. Does anyone have any idea how this would work out for a single female traveller?

ozziegiraffe12:53 UTC25 Mar 2009

I'm a single female and travel around Solomon Islands all the time. Very safe as long as you respect custom.

raro00:51 UTC04 Apr 2009

The Cooks are relatively safe for females.
But with five weeks, I'd perhaps choose Fiji over the Cooks, as there are a lot more islands to visit. But one can easily laze away for 5 weeks in the Cooks. Get to the outer islands of the Southern Group, like Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro and Mangaia. all have their own charm.

check out www.ck for more info on the Cooks.

5 weeks -- Which Country Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
qwerty507:20 UTC18 Mar 2009	Hi, I'm traveling to the South Pacific for the first time 5 weeks in the near future. I'm 33, single, and just looking for quiet, isolated, beautiful beaches, and an area that isn't very expensive or totally discovered. Most of the info I've seen is making me think the Cook Islands are the best place, but I've also read some interesting stories about Palau. Don't care at all about bars, partying, or being around people, just want the best beaches and maybe some interior jungle. So weighing those factors, cost, travel time between internal islands, which country would you recommend visiting? Thanks so much! Appreciate any advice you well-seasoned travellers can provide!!!
mandja21:59 UTC18 Mar 2009	"just want the best beaches and maybe some interior jungle."- this describes MOST of the Pacific Is - certainly there are places like that in New Caledonia, Fiji and Vanuatu (I havent been to the others)	1
ozziegiraffe11:29 UTC19 Mar 2009	If you have 5 weeks I would suggest one of the larger countries, like Solomon Islands or Vanuatu. Fiji has more tourists, Solomon Islands has fewest, but has many beautiful places and diverse cultures, and you have long enough to enjoy several of them.	2
watsoff16:44 UTC19 Mar 2009	I also opt for Solomon Islands. You can get around the different islands by ferry, somewhat basic but a great experience. Vanuatu is also a good bet but I think you have to fly between the different islands.	3
sunseasandz20:46 UTC24 Mar 2009	As an alternative or an 'add-on' to travel in NZ I was considering a similar trip to the person who began this thread. Does anyone have any idea how this would work out for a single female traveller?	4
ozziegiraffe12:53 UTC25 Mar 2009	I'm a single female and travel around Solomon Islands all the time. Very safe as long as you respect custom.	5
raro00:51 UTC04 Apr 2009	The Cooks are relatively safe for females. But with five weeks, I'd perhaps choose Fiji over the Cooks, as there are a lot more islands to visit. But one can easily laze away for 5 weeks in the Cooks. Get to the outer islands of the Southern Group, like Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro and Mangaia. all have their own charm. check out www.ck for more info on the Cooks.	6