South Pacific ISLANDS ARE SMILES BETTER
The South Pacifi c Islands have long been the perfect stopover en-route to down under, but to really discover their unique charm, recommend an extended stay, says Anna Selby
C
can there be a more romantic destination on the planet than the South Pacific?
Very mention of the name – and Elvis
can take a lot of the credit here – conjures images of swaying palms, white sand and grass skirts. Then there are stunning coral and shoals of brilliantly- coloured fish swimming through warm lagoons. There are literally thousands of islands scattered throughout the world’s biggest, deepest ocean – and they all have their own unique characters. All of the islands lie to the south of the Equator and have tropical climates. Their
closest big neighbours are New Zealand and Australia and they are great add-on destinations for visitors there. They are perfect for beach holidays, romantic getaways (including weddings and honeymoons), diving and adventure, and fascinating, unique cultures. The Cook Islands are tiny, unspoilt and
a perfect stopover (free with Air New Zealand) on the journey from Australia or New Zealand. The Cooks are very friendly, ideal for a romantic break, either on the main island of Rarotonga or Aitutaki, a coral atoll with arguably the world’s most beautiful lagoon. Fiji is bigger and more developed and a
great place for adventure; you can parasail, jet-ski, dive, take a raft down white water, climb through the rain forest, go game fishing or hand-feed sharks. And it’s not short on romance, either. Suggest a cruise to clients looking to visit some of the Fijian island groups such as the Mamanucas or the more remote and exquisite Yasawas, where The Blue Lagoon was filmed. For Polynesian culture, head for
Western Samoa, where many residents still live in fales – oval houses that are simply platforms raised on stilts with a post for the thatched roof. No walls, no windows, no doors and, amazingly, no crime. There is fantastic swimming and snorkelling, tropical rainforests, volcanoes and lava fields, and Robert Louis Stevenson’s beautiful colonial house (now a museum), called Vailima – also the name of the local beer.
In all of these islands, English is widely spoken but in Tahiti and the other
French Polynesian islands,the most common language is French (though English is spoken in all the resorts). The islands are dramatic with incredible peaks and beautiful lagoons over which many of the top resorts build villas with steps down from your terrace into the warm, translucent water below.
In Samoa, they’re time travelling this
year – by losing December 30 as the country changes time zones.
"We will be one of the first nations to see the sunrise of the New Year, a brilliant way to start 2012 – our
Celebrate Samoa Year. We will always be known as the last bastion of Polynesian culture with a unique way of living that is 3000 years old, the Fa’a Samoa," said Said
Matatamalii Sonja
Hunter, CEO for the Samoan Tourism Authority.
What’s New? Fiji’s Yasawa Island
Resort, a five-star boutique hotel, has re-opened
after a major refurbishment. Also relaunched is Dolphin Island, sister property of iconic Huka Lodge, a beautiful little private island resort. Freedom Holidays is a new operator featuring Fiji. Paul Gauguin Cruises has free flights from Los Angeles to Papeete for its 2012 French Polynesian islands schedule. The Brando is a new resort due to
40 September 2011 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Selling Tip Share a glass of kava
with the locals in Fiji –
it's an easy way to show an interest in Fiji culture
PAUL GAUGUIN
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