tahiti? fiji? tonga? need advice !

sesame

Hi!

we're getting ready to book our flight - and since i dont' fly too well to begin with - i'm thinking about taking air nz up on their U$ 100.00 offer of stopping over in either:

Papeete, Tahiti
Nadi, Fiji
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Apia, Samoa
or Tongatapu, Tonga

i've barely heard of any of these places and would appreciate some advice and imput please.
or should i jsut skip it and go for the 12.5 hour rush?

Uhoh

thanks!

sesame~

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

We stopped in Fiji and Rarotonga, and I would say for a relaxing and idylic holiday Rarotonga would be the place - it is truly magical and I can't wait to get back there!

It is small - 26 miles around - so we cycled round it on bikes (couldn't sit for days though!). We went on a hike with 'Doc' into the lush vegetation - the man is a fount of knowledge and it was fabulous. There are some lovely restaurants, and cheap - and some nice little pubs for evenings. You can even go and get a Cook ISlans driving licence so you can ride a moped - very cheap and easy so I was told.

The sand is like sugar, and you can walk over to the other tiny islands in the bay as there is a coral reef that keeps things mostly calm and at knee level! Mind the sea cucumbers though!

Fiji is lovely too, but Raro is stuff of dreams. Message me if you want to see some photos!

Dianne

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

PS if you like snorkelling it is fab - there are lots of colourful fish and also giant clams - the size of a bin lid - the bright, colourful lips! You won't believe it til you see it.

PPS - we paid to fly over the island in a 4 man plane with Air Rarotonga as a treat, and I would certainly recomend that (esp of you get Ianis as your pilot - corrr!)

Lisa. · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2004 8:50 pm Post subject:

Hello, i too have been to Raratonga, and yep it is the stuff of dreams, a true paradise, i prefered it to Figi, however Tonga was great for the people, if you need any advice on where to stay, just shout...oooh lucky you. Lisa Nice One

sesame · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 3:50 am Post subject:

oh, rarotonga sounds great and LOOOKS even better ! did a virtual tour online - Nutcase

any fabulous accomodation recommendations would be appreciated (other than the beach resort i saw ..... that looks great too - but i musn't forget our ultimate destination - nz!!! we must spend wisely for now .......)

thanks you all!

sesame~

Lisa. · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:35 am Post subject: Raratonga

Good choice, are you looking for a kinda backpackers accomodation, do you have kids, if you can give me some sort of idea i should be able to recommend something, i'm pretty new to this site so don't know much about you, i'm not being ignorant i promise.
Lisa

sesame · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 4:48 am Post subject:

we have a 19 month old! so we're looking for a kiddie-cool place - private room essentail since i still nurse - backpackerish could work though .....
am i making sense? Nutcase

sesame~

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

Sesame,

we stayed at Vara's, in their little house near the beach away from their main backpacking place. It was a 4 bedroomed house with 2 bathrooms and a good kitchen and living room - outside a big balcony and grass area with coconuts and chickens and a bbq - and the shop is around the corner and the butchers for fish for bbq is up the road - perfect! Razz

It was cheap, clean, quiet and very nice. cool

VARA'S BEACH HOUSE LTD.
Box 434, Muri Beach,
Rarotonga, COOK ISLANDS
Phone: (682) 23-156
Fax: (682) 22-619
backpack@varasbeach.co.ck
www.varas.co.ck

Hope that helps!

Lisa. · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 6:59 am Post subject: re raratonga

I reckon the above place sounds idyllic , you could also try backpackers international, very friendly,owned by a maori chief, was going to add that it's by the beach but everything is on the coast really, the interior is mainly untouched, i recommend the cross island trek if you are into hiking great vantage points and it's free! Nice One

Lisa

sesame · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 7:39 am Post subject:

wow - checked out the website - looks p-e-r-f-e-c-t ....... ah, how am i ever going to get back to the thousand immigration etc. details i have to contend with over the next 3 months ......

thanks again to both of you for helping me make this small but big decision Yes

may i check in again (pm) once we get closer to our departure?

oh oh oh - before i go - how far is rarotonga from nz (flight-hours wise)??

thanks!

and yes - we LOVE to hike - ......

sesame~

Dianne · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 May 2004 Posts: 23

Sesame, I can't remember how long the flight was, but not too bad, I seem to recall. We were most confused cos we lost a day as we flew over the time line - we English are not used to time zones!!! Nutcase

Feel free to pm me and I'll happily tell you what I can - as I said, I have photos is you want to see any? cool

You won't regret it...

Dianne Nice One

sesame · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:42 am Post subject:

http://www.airnewzealand.com/highlights/lonely_planet_staffers_top_destinations_for_2004.htm

...read the Pacific part - mentions rarotonga and more .....

hmmmm.

oh yes - photos - lets do that when we get closer to departure (in october)- got to get back to business here with nz ...... Yes

thank you!!!

Lisa. · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 8:59 am Post subject: re Rarotonga

Ask away, i've still kept my guide book to Raratonga, lots of info and facts i.e no visa required, 31 days visitor permit granted on arrival which can be extended, you must book somewhere to stay before you arrive Yes

and as it's annexed to NZ you can use NZ$,
I can't remember exactly but i think its about a 4 hour flight to NZ, perhaps someone who works in travel could advise on that, anyhow any questions, no problem

Lisa

kiwi · Valued Member Joined: 02 Apr 2004 Posts: 126

wow! I am sooo going there!!
(will meet you there sesame :)

I havent been to any of those places but always wanted to go to tahiti, that is now scapped for rara.

I liked the web info Dianne, thank you...it has been sent to hubbys email!! Hint HInt.... 40 th birthday in 2 yrs, we were going to Palm cove in oz, with anyone who wants to join us (no kids...adult only party!) but if raratonga is in NZ dollars, I think that has decided it for me....everyone here going to join me? July 2006....pop it in your diary

cool

Nic

sesame · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject:

oh, kiwi! you need a holiday as badly as i do Yes

i'm still trying to convince my husband (and myself to a degree) of the necessity of a ~~~3 day stopover in rt ..... Nutcase

my bargaining power isn't too great these days - with all the impending changes and the fear and the uncertainty - it's at least a dream that'll carry me to the next step ..... that's what i need now.

sesame~
PS: I presented all the info i was able to gather with all your help - and dh said:"cool! let's do it!"