South Pacific

[Doug Lax]

I have been planning a vacation and have done Hawaii enough... I have friends that say I should go to Tahiti others say Fiji and one swears by Samoa. Can anyone give any input.

I really like green mountains ,turquoise water, and white beaches!


What do Y'all say?

[tratliff]

Hi Doug - The wife and I vacationed in Fiji last June. Its a beautiful place. Although a bit 3rd world'ish.

The landscape and climate were great. We toured a couple of additional islands. The one where Castaway was filmed and another where Survivor was being filmed. These were both undeveloped and just as they appear in the movies and on TV.

I actually have a picture of my wife and I, as we kiss, shot though a hole in the rocks that you would notice if you watched Castaway again now that I mentioned it.

We stayed in an over the water bungalow. First rate accommodations.

It was a great vacation but is a very long flight. Not sure we will go back but am glad we did it.

[Formerly YB-2]

We did Easter Island, Tahiti, Bora Bora, NZ & Oz last Sept. Not that much on Easter Island other than the Moai, which were great. Tahiti seemed a little 'shop worn', but the 'wagonettes' in the main downtown parking lot for dinner was fun. Bora Bora, NZ & Oz were great. Think we would do a Paul Gauguin cruise if we were to do the S. Pacific again.

Don't forget that our summer is their winter. Depending on how far south you are, may make a difference (was 44F when we got to Sydney).

[audioguy3107]

Doug - my wife and I were fortunate enough to have visited French Polynesia in 2005. Probably the most beautiful place I've ever been. We stayed for 3 days on the island of Moorea which was geared more toward the diver/snorkeler. We then went over to the island of Bora Bora for 4 days. On both islands we stayed in one of the over water bungalows which was just incredible.....the aquatic life on both islands was just amazing to see......on Bora Bora we even had a large yellow and black japanese eel camped out right under our "window" in the coral that we spent who knows how much time watching do his thing.

The food was amazing and amazingly expensive. If you like what you described in your post, Bora Bora would be right up the alley. The caveat of course is that it was expensive in 05, I'm sure the cost now would be quite a bit higher. I believe the island has changed to a bit more "commercial" than it used to be with some of the newer higher priced resorts going in as well.

- Buck

[Formerly YB-2]

Bumped into a fellow bird-watcher at the range yesterday and mentioned the many birds we saw on our trip thru the S. Pacific. He told me he spent 6-months working in the Society Islands for the Nat'l Geographic & USNavy studying sharks. Lived on a 40' ketch. Said he wishes he could afford to go back. As mentioned, quite spendy.

[AudioGremlin]

Many years ago I visited Papeete Tahiti and was quite disappointed, it appeared run down and rather uninteresting. Samoa on the other hand I absolutely loved. The place, the people, the seafood, just wow!

[vintage_tube]

Transpacific flights are rather enduring especially if coming from middle America or east coast.

There are many areas in the South Pacific/Coral Sea/East China sea but as tratliff mentioned, Fiji is a nice home base with possible visits to nearby islands such as New Caledonia, Tonga, American Samoa or just hang around Fiji and visit one of it's nearby islands. Or get wild and make a visit to Brisbane/Sydney too.

Depending on of course the length of the vacation.

Best Sir,

Bob

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Transpacific flights are rather enduring........
Or get wild and make a visit to Brisbane/Sydney too.

Best Sir,

Bob

"Enduring" is an interesting description for the flight. 17+ hours from Sydney (which we recommend), non-stop to DFW. Was on a Qantas A380, which was roomy and comfortable. Considerably better than we had anticipated.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

"Enduring" is an interesting description for the flight. 17+ hours from Sydney (which we recommend), non-stop to DFW. Was on a Qantas A380, which was roomy and comfortable. Considerably better than we had anticipated.

Try Hawaii to Philippines to Diego Garcia on a C130 cargo plane in netted jump seats with a darn jet engine in front of you. You went in class & should be thankful.

Of course the in-flight box lunch and dinner was $5 each. Yummy too.

Kidding aside though -- Transpacific flights will wear anyone out -- I'm on the east coast. Dread it --

Best Sir,

Bob

[AudioGremlin]

Used to cross the Pacific on oil tankers, usually didnt see any other ships for weeks at a time except for one voyage when a vessel purposely went on a collision course. Must have been completely stir crazy. Its a strange world.