One week--South Pacific--where would you go? Traveler seeks advice

Imagine a free ticket from Auckland to anywhere in the South Pacific--where would you go and why? I have 10 days left at the end of my trip and would like to cash my frequent flyer miles for a free ticket. Fiji? Vanautu? Tonga? I'm looking for affordable, budget travel, not luxury. where should I go and what should I do?

Ready for a surprise?

http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/

Free activities, $35 a night lodging. Three meals a day for $10. Beer $1.50

http://amsamoa-busycorner.blogspot.com/

JW

Fiji or Vanuatu.

If you aren't looking for a party scene, I agree with the recommendation for American Samoa. Ta'u and Ofu Island are stunning. be sure to spend some time exploring the rugged coast and rainforest of Tutuila. Ofu island has the most beautiful beach in the South Pacific IMO.

Independent Samoa has lots of options as well and you could fly ANZ to Apia, spend a few days exploring there and then head over to Am Samoa (an easy hop by plane).

Other options I would recommend are the Matriki beach Huts on Aitutaki in the Cook Islands, the Western Province of the Solomon Islands (very spectacular with incredibly beautiful reefs and some of the most amazing biodiversity on the planet) and Tsoi Lik Island in New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea- a Bora Bora like lagoon that is incredible and virtually untouched by tourism.

-Mike

It depends which airline your frequent flyer miles are with.
I would put in my vote for Solomon Islands - less touristy, lots of different cultures, and a choice of dive places or more traditional homestays, etc. (See the site in my sig line).

C'mon guys. I loved American Samoa but

• you are not going to get to Ofu or Tau on frequent flier miles. Is the airport on Ofu still closed?
• where exactly is accommodation for $35 a night? The place I'm guessing has been reviewed as a total dump.
• three meals for $10 - I'd be interested in hearing the specifics on this.
• free activities? Well yes as on other Pacific islands but you failed to mention that many places on the main island have posted no swimming signs because of a nasty and possibly lethal rat borne disease.

A few details regarding MY recommendation for American Samoa (I can't speak for JW): My primary recommendation is is to visit Ofu island, which I personally think is the most pristinely beautiful island in the South Pacific (having been to Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Solomon's, Papua New Guinea and French Polynesia including Bora Bora). To get there, you can use your ANZ miles to get to Apia, Independent Samoa. Then fly InterIsland Air to Pago Pago (30 minutes) and then fly from there to Ta'u island (30 minutes). Be sure to make your flight arrangements ahead of time to be sure they fit your 10 day schedule. Sleep in a homestay on Ta'u and hike out to the rugged untouched South Coast where waves crash against some of the highest sea cliffs in the world. Then take a boat across to Ofu Island (planes no longer fly there- the regulatory agencies said the runway was too short- this virtually guarantees you will have the island to yourself). Ofu is quite simply paradise. Do a google search and see for yourself. Stay at Vaoto Lodge www.VaotoLodge.com and the website shows prices for a room and food. It's a fantastic place to stay. The water is pristine and the snorkeling is superb. The only footprints on the beach will be yours. On Tutuila, my recommendation is to hike to the top of the ridge in the national park. Do your swimming on Ofu and your hiking on Ta'u and Tutuila. Talk to JW about where to stay on Tutuila- I'm not sure where he is talking about. I did enjoy dinner at Tisa's Barefoot Bar on the beach.

My travel journal has a more detailed description of our trip to Ofu if interested:
http://www.michaelandersongallery.com/blog/the-long-way-to-paradise-an-exciting-journey-to-the-worlds-best-secret-beach-part-i/

If you decide on the Cook Islands here is the link to Matriki: www.MatrikiBeachHuts.com and prices are quoted there.
Note: ANZ flies to Rarotonga but you will need another flight via Air Rrotonga to get to Aitutaki and the Matriki Huts.

If you decide on going to the Solomon's contact Ozzie Giraffe, she's an expert on the region with lot's of great advice. Here's a teaser of what to expect: http://www.visitsolomons.com.sb/ You will probably have to use your ANZ miles to get to Brisbane and then fly on Pacific Blue to Honiara and then get an Air Solomon's flight to whatever island you choose.

If you decide on Tsoi Lik in Papua New Guinea, PM me and I can give you more details. Once again, you will need to fly ANZ to Brisbane and then pay for flights to Port Moresby and then to Kavieng to get there.

I hope that helps clarify things.

-Mike

American Samoa is at the top of my list for places I'd like to return to. I didn't have time/money to see Ta'u and Ofu, but Tutuila & Aunu'u were great. Wished I had spent less time in Samoa and more in American Samoa...
Tisa's is $50/night including breakfast, which was the cheapest I came across in American Samoa. Wasn't flashy, but definitely a step up from the fales in independent Samoa, and Tisa/Candyman/Jayson were great hosts. The bus system there is also simple but effective. The only thing I disliked about AS were the dogs - walking along the streets I had to beat a few away with sticks.

I also loved Fiji, but American Samoa is totally off the tourist radar, which makes it more authentic and special.

"The only thing I disliked about AS were the dogs - walking along the streets I had to beat a few away with sticks."

Uh Oh!!!

Here we go again......

In American Samoa on Tutuila (Pago Pago)
$ 35 a night Scanlan's Hotel in town (shared bath) Clean, safe
$ 10 a day for 3 meals: many places. Market, Metro, Xin Huan, any Chinese restaurant.
Activities free: US National Park Service trails. Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Fagaalu Reef, Alofau Reef, Aunuu Island. free activities are posted on the blog

Hazardous areas. You are right and they are posted because of fecal runoff from piggeries. Please note: They are posted because American Samoa complies with US federal EPA clean water and wastewater regulations. You won't find this information in other Pacific island nations because no other Pacific Island takes laboratory outflow samples on a twice monthly basis. Good luck elsewhere. Typhoid shots recommended.

Would you rather be warned and safe? Just because the water looks clean doesn't mean it is. last time I noticed pig culture is spread through the Pacific.

From Pago, JW