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Written by Janel DePew
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Thursday, 07 August 2008 16:03 |
Whether taking a cruise from Kobe, Japan to Guam and on to the other islands or flying to the larger islands, the South Pacific Islands is an idyllic vacation destination. Many travelers include explorations of the South Pacific Islands in their Australian tour itineraries. However, remember that some of the smaller, more remote islands, atolls, and motus only are accessible by small boat. Sailors find island hopping in the South Pacific is the ideal way to spend a sailing vacation and test their sailing skills and sailboats. Visiting the Pacific Islands also means criss-crossing the International Date Line. Many of the remote islands, which are great diving and snorkeling sights, have relics or World War II. Places to visit in the South Pacific are: Guam , a U.S. Territory, which was a regular port of call for the Spanish galleons, has remnants of the Spanish culture blending with the Polynesian culture. Guam has comfortable lodging and an interesting art center. Guam also has golfing and gaming.
Federated States of Micronesia should be the next stop after Guam and include Ifaluk, Yap, Gaferut, Yap, Satawal, Yap, Chuuk (Truk), and Pohnpei. These small islands, where residents perform traditional dances, are breathtakingly beautiful with lagoons with cobalt blue water, beaches, and reefs that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. They are home to colorful birds and fish and draw nature, photographers and birdwatchers.
Solomon Islands once had a head-hunting culture is famous for its tapa cloth which is an interesting fabric made from bark and died various natural colors, black, brown, tan, blue, and golden-cream. These islands also have an historic role in World War II (Guadalcanal).
Fiji and the Kingdom of Tonga, the colorful crossroads of the South Pacific, have beaches, resorts, golfing and flights to major locations. It also has a rich island, Polynesian culture, lagoons, and rainforests with waterfalls. Everyone visiting Fiji must explore its Bouma National Heritage Park.
Gaugin, who painted beautiful island scenes in the 19th Century and James Mitchner, who wrote about it, made French Polynesia famous. Tahiti is the heart of French Polynesia. Western Samoa has a botanical garden and rainforest that is perfect for strolling and that leads down to the lava coasts with caves for exploring on Savaii. Savaii has few people but a bio-diverse environment, which is highlighted at Falealupo Preserve. Robert Lewis Stevenson had a home on Apia and in World War II American soldiers visited Aggie Grey's Hotel, which still serves tea.
Cook Islands, although tiny, have a definite British influence and are a bird-watchers delight. Visitors to the Cook Islands can visit ancient sites and watch traditional dances.
Bora Bora, Society Islands has a rich pallet of island and beach colors. The island flora and fauna are a rich emerald green, sand is pure white, and water in the lagoons and sea are turquoise, lapis blue, and aquamarine.
Other island vacation sanctuaries that have sparkling blue waters, pristine beaches, and rich heritages are the Tuamotu Islands and Marquesas Islands.
While visiting Australia and the South Pacific Islands extend the visit to include Easter Island or plan a vacation having Easter Island as the destination? Easter Island is about 2000 miles from the nearest population center and home to the Moai, the giant stone monoliths that look like faces. The Moai are along the Easter Island coast. Because space on the island is limited, reservations must be made in advance. Flying from Santiago, Chile also can
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Last Updated on Friday, 15 August 2008 12:24 |
