Happy New Year to all! And seven suggestions for island travel.

OK, another year is about over, a new one to begin, so Happy New Year to all on the Pacific Islands/PNG branch of the TT! Too many names to mention, so I won't even start :) !!.

To those who haven't visited the region yet, let me make Seven Suggestions for island travel:

1. Plan your air routes out carefully. In recent years air travel routes have changed. The east to west flights in the South Pacific are almost gone, so it's tough to visit, say, Fiji and the Cooks and Tahiti. Most visitors will have to go in and out of Auckland NZ. Tongan domestic flights are always changing. Fiji is still the place to be if you want to fan out to other places. Try to include island countries on your int'l ticket to save lots of $$$.

2. Unless you have more than two weeks or so, just pick one country to visit: The cost of int'l flights has of course gone up, as have domestic flights. Even so, don't try to see seven countries in ten days, or even two or three. Pick one out, go to some remote places in that country as well the most touristy areas, and you'll still have a great time.

3. Some research is good: As always, try to read up on local customs and the culture. For example, bathing suit (or lack thereof) rules in Fr. Polynesia are a LOT different than in Tonga and Samoa! Tipping can actually be offensive in lots of places.

4. Usually avoid the big three topics: Try to avoid discussing politics, religion---and land issues!! (unless they bring up these topics---then tread carefully)

5. Travel advisiories are often ridiculous: Coups can happen anywhere, (esp. in Fiji), but they rarely affect tourists. One can read "travel advisories" about almost any country, usually issued by large countries like the US. But most places are pretty safe when it comes to crime, as long as you don't leave your digital cameras and wallets on the beach when you go snorkeling, etc. Paradise just ain't paradise all the time.

6. Health advisories may also be overdone: but these should be checked out a bit more. Dengue outbreaks should not deter a trip, for example, but they should make you be careful to put that DEET repellent on when visiting.

7. Only need a beach??? If you just want to loll on the beach during your vacation, consider just staying at a resort in your home country, rather than spending the $$$ for overseas flights to stay in an anonymous resort in the islands.

8. Explore local villages etc. If you visit the islands, try to meet some locals, it's not hard to do. Most are warm and friendly, esp. to tourists.

I'm sure the regulars here on the TT will have other suggestions, these are just a few general ones that quickly come to mind.

Pleasant travels!!

Raro

Happy New Year Raro!

I don't know about #6. I have plenty of beach here in SoCal but the tinest sliver of sand (or sharp coral chunks) combined with the warm beautiful calm blue lagoon waters make the long overseas flights well worth it. And one does not need to stay in an anonymous resort when there are many small scale accomodation choices.

A picture worth a thousand words: http://www.vaotolodge.com/images/gallery_3/south_beach_very_large.jpg
(Ok, it belongs to my home country but it sure isn't home.)

I'll add a # 8 - devote more time to each stop on a Pacific Island. They are to be experienced not just seen. I can "do" a major city in 3/4 days but snorkeling, kayaking, beachcombing, hiking take time.

Yeah, Happy New Year!

And a great collection of tips for beginners.
In principle, I would even agree with # 6, but for some countries, like mine, it's just not an option! ;-)
Still, I would say most nationalities can easily find beaches at least closer to home than in the SP. And save lots of cash (and flying time) by doing so.

Comment on #1: while Auckland may be the hub for Polynesia, Brisbane is certainly the best base port for Melanesia. All flights to Honiara originate in Brisbane (except those out of Nadi or PNG), and Australia is much closer to Melanesia than New Zealand is.
Also, there are flights in and out of Nadi to a number of South Pacific countries, as Fiji is the headquarters for a number of regional organisations (eg the University of the South Pacific), so many Pacific Islanders need direct travel there.

I agree with #3, do some research into custom and culture of the various island nations. They differ greatly even between islands in the same country (i.e. Solomon Islands).

I'd also expand on #7 - meet the locals! Just go out and do it, it will enhance your visit a hundredfold.

And Happy New Year to you, Raro, and everyone else on this board.

All the best in 2009, Raro.

The beach comment... I love it... We have lots and lots of lakes in Saskatchewan... Many with lovely white sand beaches... After coming to the Pacific for my winters the last 5 years, I can't bring myself to even try to get into these frigid waters of these lakes anymore no matter how hot the July or August weather... The long trip and big bucks to get there is well worth it.

Hi Raro and all TTers - a happy , healthy and safe New Year to all.

In spite of agreeing with you on points 1-7, re no.6, Australia has many of the worlds finest beaches, and yet the Pacific beaches still have that something else. The laid back style, friendly natives, more reliable weather etc

Suggest that you put these points (Raro's that is) in the FAQs.

Hi all!
Yes, I agree even I was a little "iffy" on #6 about the beaches, but I guess I was trying to deter those people that ONLY want a beach and will probably not want to mingle or even experience any local culture. Having said that, I guess I would agree that sitting on th beach in Bora Bora or Aitutaki is a lot nicer than Ocean Beach in San Diego, etc.!! But the flip side is, that if one is spending a chunk of $$ to get to the islands, try to also see some of the local culture.

I have posted the suggestions on the FAQ, maybe it will stay, maybe the moderator will can it.

But I often wonder, from some of the posts on this branch, whether newbies actually even read the FAQs!

Happy New Year to all!

All great points Raro - and I agree that so many don't bother to read the FAQs - but there are also a great many posters who jump in to reply to a question without reading exactly what the question is.
Lots of lovely beaches where I live in the north of NZ - but the water is never as warm as Fiji!
Have a great year everyone - I've started planning Fiji in September................

Happy New Year to you too TaiMarilyn. I envy you heading off to Octopus again in September - we are hoping to get back there again after we have realized our Palau dream this coming February. A favorite niece of ours has just been transferred to California so a trip to visit her would allow us a way to head back to Fiji seeing that we would be halfway there - not that I really need an excuse.

Its almost getting to the stage where we could organise a TT p*ssup on Octopus. Im going to be there for 1 week in July this year with family and friends.We were on Oarsmans in July 08

Happy New Year to all. Managed to get to Samoa for a few weeks last year. Will try to spend some time in Raro this year. Had a few chrissy drinks with Crossie. He's back in NZ for the summer. Cheers to all

Objections to #6 are not taking the premise seriously: IF a person wants only a beach, save money and stay closer to home. Of course, some people don't want only a beach, they want the exotic background.

At the same time, some vistors want to leave the 'exotic' comfortably in the background, as much an idea as a working fact of their holiday. Which is where point #7 comes in. If you want to take the 'exotic' seriously, then get out there and experience it.

I've been similarly puzzled (baffled?) by people who take a holiday and go clubbing all the time, probably more common here in Europe with northerners heading for the Spanish costas, etc. My reasoning is: if all you want to do is get drunk, think of all the booze you could buy with the money spent on flight and hotel. But the same objection holds. It's not so simple as wanting to party. They also want the sense of freedom and lack of responsibility which comes with being a stranger in a strange land. In the worst cases, on vacation some people think they don't need to follow any rules for proper social conduct, thereby showing a great deal of disrespect for the host country and their fellow humans, be it in Fiji or Spain.

I agree with you Oldpro. If you want party, go somewhere like Byron Bay. I went there today to visit a friend (I live about 40 minutes away) and know why I prefer the islands - much less frenetic, and more respectful.

Happy New Year Raro and all the other TT folks, Good points. But, even though we have some of the most beautiful beaches here on Kauai, I can't seem to stay away from the South Pacific, I have an incurable case of the Polynesian flu. The only treatment seems to be planning the next trip. Hope everyone is warm and dry. Aloha, Joan