well, i have itchy feet again - a general question

to you guys who are experienced travellers in Pacific. Hi! While I am setting off to Fiji after christmas this year, i am looking to similar destination [like Fiji] with respect to people, climate and way of possible travelling, still before that trip where I could go. Who knows me a bit knows I dislike plush resorts [or else I like no resorts] . I wanna live with locals and do what locals do. For that reason I am posting this general question before I do a more detailed research. Where to go? Any tips and hits...?

What about PNG ? - is it safe? - having read some negative reports lately and in past, people travel there though...
What about Solomon Islands - is it safe after that tsunami?
Vanuatu - is it worth? - a friend of mine told me just 5 mins ago about that islands - according to her people there tried to scam everybody, everything was dirty, miserable and desolate. No matter what in pictures in most booklets is, reality may be sometimes totally divergent.

What about Tuvalu??? and other micro nations? Has anyone visited them?

I leave out such countries as New Caledonia and other french speaking countries as they dont speak english...

Now its your turn

Appreciate a lot

Laszlo, thanks for your reaction, what part of New Guinea would you recommend me to from your view [something like Ovalau in Fiji]? And on contrary, which ones to avoid?

Thank you

next one: "Port Moresby place one should probably avoid" Ive read in many blogs, posts and reports. "Its dangerous even by day." further comments in some sources...

How the heck could I avoid the place as long as all international aircrafts arrive and depart there?? what are your experinces from that capitol...?

Hard to think of anywhere like Ovalau in PNG - the two countries are just too different.
I actually find PNG much nicer! ;-)

Anyway, you obviously want to go to one of the islands there.
I guess New Ireland and New Britain could be worth looking into, and in fact these two are easily connected by regular boats.
New Ireland is more "paradisic" while New Britain, or at least the Rabaul area, has more historical sights - mostly from World War II.
Be aware that on a shortish holiday, you will need to fly to reach these places from Port Moresby.
PNG is MUCH bigger and less accessible than Fiji.

Of places I have yet to visit, Milne Bay also has pretty islands, including a former colonial centre.
And it's closer to Moresby.
But really, I think you could have fun anywhere.
Just don't get stuck in Moresby itself: ideally try and fly out to the provinces right after landing there, saving seeing the city for the day(s) before flying out of PNG.

Over several trips to PNG, I have never visited Port Moresby! ;-)
But I did that by entering the country from Indonesia.
The obvious way to avoid the city is to fly straight out somewhere else, as suggested above.
The airport certainly won't kill you! :-)

Actually, I have heard from a number of people I trust that they found even the city itself quite friendly and beautiful.
I wouldn't worry about visiting it, but would take the usual precautions: not walking the streets at night, not touring shanty-towns, etc.

Fiji etc all too touristy, do you really want to live like locals? If so, check out the 'eco lodges' on/around Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. Basic, authentic local lodges built and run by locals in their own villages. Plan a trip around a few of them (kayak between). Cheap and fantastic. Best diving you'll ever do.

Forget any safety concerns - no problems whatsoever.

You want off the beaten track? Easy to get to? No other tourists? Easy to interact with locals? Still have running water and flushies?

Think about Niue. Also some of the other Cook Islands other than Rarotonga or Aitutaki (Think Atiu, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro) They are not hard to get to, have good provisions for their citizens and visitors although very low key.

Other "miro nations" are out of the question. As Laszlo says. They look like paradises in pictures but the real truth is that they are desperately poor places that are battling the environment. They are unbelievable expensive to get to.. hard to get to... have few facilities except to sustain the locals.

bendigo could tell you about Kiribati and I just this year, met some folks in Samoa who had gone to the Tokelau islands... They said "never again".

I would really consider Niue.

Crossie? (Where has he been lately, anyways?)

Jirikoo,
There may have been some changes to the environment in the Western Solomons after the tsunami - some islands were lifted by the earthquake and others lowered, so if you want to go there check them out first with the owners of the accommodation.
However, the rest of the country was not affected, and even in the west there is no more risk than there has ever been.
If you really want to visit the locals and do what they do, you might need to go without electricity, running water and plumbing, though.
I advise looking at Exploring Solomons for a great selection of alternate ways of seeing Solomon Islands the way the locals do.
I agree with Laszlo that the country is perfectly safe for visitors - I travel all over it regularly, and will be returning in a month or so.

Thank you all for replies. Solomons islands look great but getting there is really expensive - from around 900 AUD. Samoa wins so far.

Agree with no.6. Fiji and other pacific countries are too touristy. We have done a kayak trip with Kayak Solomons (based at Uepi Island Resort) and it was just fantastic. Stayed at several of the lodges in Marovo Lagoon and it was the most amazing trip. The culture, pristine reefs, snorkelling and diving was sensational. We had no problems with security in the Solomons even travelling with 2 children. Good luck.