Honeymoon Destination

My fiance and I are currently deciding where to go on our honeymoon for about 3 weeks in August (2010). We are debating between Thailand and Islands of the South Pacific. In Thailand, we would spend a week at a resort on Koh Samui, then head inland and travel north through the country, and eventually end up in Bangkok. In the South Pacific, we were thinking of spending a few days on several of the less-commercialized islands, such as Somoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, etc. We are, of course, open to other suggests for a unique, romantic and exciting honeymoon adventure in either of these areas. We are a little worried about the weather in Thailand in August as we have heard that it is the rainy season. Any thoughts, comments, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What you list are note really just islands, but several island nations!

It means that to hit them all, and then get out to somewhere nice in each, will mean a lot of travel just for a few days at each place.

If your time is limited, I would suggest just sticking to one or maybe two countries - for greatest diversity make it Melanesian Vanuatu with either of Samoa or Tonga (both Polynesian). In any of those countries you will need to get out of the capital to get somewhere truly nice (Vanuatu's pretty capital is the only possible exception), at best even to other islands (except in Samoa which has no outer islands).

I would not worry too much about the rainy season in Thailand - but stick to drier regions there.

If you really decide to go to Tonga then you will have the chance to a really quite unique and exciting experience, since it is one of only a few places in the world where you can even swim/snorkel with the Humpback Whales - and that is quite awesome! And August is one of the best months for that. Also, depending on which island group you go to, you can do different things since they are quite different topographically: secluded, romantic white sandy beaches and great diving in Ha'apai, hiking and caving in 'Eua, fishing in Vava'u or shopping (limited of course, it´s still a Pacific island!) and nightlife in Tongatapu.

Vanuatu sounds great, by the way, Laszlo. I´ve read a lot about it in your posts and so hope to go there sometime soon!