Help with the perfect honeymoon

Hello there and thanks in advance for any advice given,

Getting married at end Oct and hoping (if she turns up) to head to south pacific for 3 weeks honeymoon in Nov. Having backpacked around Africa, Asia and India were not looking for absolute luxury but not on a budget either. We want experience and enjoy the islands for what they are.

I have been doing some research and have narrowed it down to the following
Fiji
Cook Islands
Vanuatu and/or New Caledonia

Ideally we would have a couple of nights in a plush spa type resort and then don the packs and island hop. Would really like to experience the culture as much as poss but definitely want to spend some lazy days on picturesque beaches, quiet islands, marine and wildlife with the option of a few more 'Party' type evenings as well. Would love to be able to travel around some of the islands by boat. I have also read on here about he Soloman islands being beautiful.

So I guess, to make this the perfect honeymoon, I could do with a little assistance which will earn me some brownie points ;-) . Any suggestions on a 3 week romantic adventure, with a little wildlife & nightlife?

Many Many Thanks
Gpc

forgot to add that we will be travelling from London.

Re your comment about the Solomon Islands, so very true, the most beautiful islands in the Pacific, all 994 of them, and without the crowds of tourists you will get in the other destinations you mentioned. You may hear stories or see government advisories of tension and unrest, don't place much faith in them as there seems to be a lot of political content in them. My wife and I and 3 year old daughter have just returned from 5+ weeks there and had the greatest time. Here are some web sites that will help you do your own research: Solomon Telekom (on line phone book has phone numbers and some e-mail addresses) www.solomon.com.sb Fatboys a resort but this site has great links to other resorts www.fatboysgizo.com Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau www.visitsolomons.com.sb
If in Honiara for night life go to Top Ten Nightclub particularly friday and saturday nights.
Whatever your decision congratulations and good luck for the future.

As for the wildlife bit, you are kind of out of luck.
In this region, PNG is the only country with a resonable amount of exotic wildlife, in the other countries you get birds and marine life, and that's all.

My pick for a honeymoon would probably be New Caledonia, with a resort stay on the Isle of Pines, adding a few days around Grande Terre for the adventure & wildlife bit.

PNG and the Solomons could offer more wildlife and a LOT more adventure, however to experience those beyond the resrts is probably bettrer saved for a trip separate from your honeymoon.

Here's my two cent's worth. Coming from London (or on the way home), I would stay at an uber-luxe spa resort in Thailand. Breaks up the journey out and I think Thai resorts (and their staff) are hard to beat in this category. Then hop on down to the Pacific. The island places you mention are pretty mainstream tourist destinations. If you want luxury try Vatulele in Fiji - fabulous but expensive and full of rich Americans. I personally don't think any of the places you list are particularly interesting. Most have some picture postcard parts, but...depends what you want.

Hands down winner for us is the Marovo Lagoon and Uepi Island in the Solomons. Magical destination - stunningly beautiful, people living their subsistence existence in leaf hut villages pretty much like they always have (minus the headhunting), really interesting history and of course current situation. Fabulous marine environment, apparently very important/significant area from an ecological perspective. Uepi is a very small, low key resort. Lots of activities, and diving (and snorkelling) which has got to be the best in the world. We have done all 7 continents - can't claim to have seen everything but we haven't yet found a better destination than Uepi.

I'll second giingana's suggestion about some time at Uepi - it's a great place - good food, great enviroment, well run - diving and snorkelling is as good as it gets. For a honeymoon, ask for the just renoveated cabin 6 (see details on the website - www.uepi.com)<BR><BR>Weather at Uepi late October should be great too - we were there last year (oh yes - and the year before) around then, and it was great.

For something different, you could then go down to the Wilderness lodge and do some snorkelling, fishing and try to get out to visit Kavachi underwater volcano.

BTW, we might catch up with you at Uepi as we plan to go up there again around November.....

cheers

Carol

WOW!!

Thanks for all the usefull info. Baring in mind that I have only 3 weeks are the Solomons difficult to get to. What would the best option re fligts be.

Have spent may many months in Thailand so not to bothered about stopping off. Would rather get straight there and get involved in either Fiji , Solomons or New Caledonia.

At the moment Fiji is looking top of the list as its straightforward to get to, relatively easy to see a few islands and seems to have wonderfull beaches and snorkelling.

However, just had a look at Uepi and thats shed a whole new light on things. I think I will need to look at how easy it is to reach from either Fiji or perhaps Brisbane, costs etc.

Many Thanks for the info. If anyone has anything further to add it really is appreciated. All these locations look absolutely superb.

Gpc

I do think Fiji is a good choice for the very reasons you've listed: easy to get, easy to get around, offers a range of accomodation and activities.

Combining it with the Solomons is not hard as far as simply getting to the country is concerned.
There are several flights weekly between Nadi and Honiara with various regional airlines.
Air Pacific does offer good value Bula Fares to Honiara, which is where all international flights to the Solomons arrive. Trouble is that Honiara is a grotty town that only a mother could love, and getting out of it can be something of a pain. Solomon Airlines' domestic flights are often chronically heavily booked and prone to last minute cancellations. You could and should book your connecting flight from Honiara in advance, and then still have enough flexiblity to allow for last minute changes of schedules.
If all that doesn't put you off, the Solomons could provide an interesting, more natural contrast to Fiji, but I can't really think of them as a "honeymoon destination".

Mind you, if you want somewhere natural/traditional and untouristed, Vanuatu is closer to Fiji, and its outer islands are more reliably accessible from Vila.

But neither the outer islands of the Solomons nor those of Vanuatu would offer "Party type evenings"!

Laszlo has made a good point about combining Fiji and Uepi - Solomon airlines also has a flight Nadi - Honiara on Saturdays, which arrives Honiara in time for you to get the afternoon flight out to Seghe (for Uepi). (see www.solomonairlines.com.au).<BR><BR>Solair's domestic flights have greatly improved with the addition of their third twin otter. But you need to book your flights early as Laszlo suggested. We've had no domestic flight problems on the past few trips to Uepi - in fact, last year, the pilot was waiting for us to arrive from the international terminal and we were on the plane and away within a few minutes - arriving at Seghe about 45 minutes early.

Flights to Seghe can get cancelled if there's a storm out in the western province, but now that Ramata airstrip is working again, they just divert the flight there - it's happened to us, but it just means a bit longer boat ride over to Uepi. Ramata strip is much higher than Seghe, so doesn't get too wet if there's rain.

QPC - if you decide on Uepi and need a travel agent, PM me and I'll give you the name of mine here in Australia - she is a solid Uepi fan and her honeymoon there many years ago. She still visits at least once a year (and if a dive travel agent loves a place - well then, it must be good)

I haven't mentioned the food at Uepi - which all included in yout day rate. Hope you like mud crab, crayfish and yummy fresh fish? Cos you'll get them all, and plenty of them. Muddies are on nearly every night + crayfish too. And the fruits and vegies are locally grown without chemicals and are absolutely delicious. And di I mention the home made ice cream?????

cheers

Carol

Agree Carol. Been to the Solomons many times, had one or two delays but no bog deal at all. Anyway, aren't the best things in life are worth a little extra effort? Switch into island time and you'll be fine.

If you are water people, another honeymoon blast I forgot would be swimming with the humpback whales in Tonga. From memory, the website is whaleswim.com but if you look up Vavau, Tonga you'll likely find it. Not sure if you would be too late in the season. Tonga's not as good as PNG/Solomons but you'll be on such a high after your first swim you won't notice.

Have a FANTASTIC time, whatever you do.

I will PM you the details I sent to a friend who did just this.