michi

We are seniors in our 70s thinking of spending a week in the South Pacific after travel to NZ. It's difficult to sort out the islands and I know you can help.

Our budget is average, not luxury. We want to find a friendly island to explore and relax. Obviously(?) nightlife is not necessary, nor are spas and other luxuries. We are moderate walkers so strenuous hiking is out as well as snorkelling, etc.

Our stopover possibilities may be: Tahiti, Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa or Tonga for $200. But all suggestions will be considered and I'll follow up on the internet.

Thanks.

LordBalfor

I would certainly think the Cooks would do nicely (Rarotonga at least) - modern infrastructure, easy to get around on, reasonably priced, beautiful scenery, friendly people as well as convenient to get to from NZ.

Ken

tropo

I'll second the Cook Islands, as well.

Lyndie

You might consider New Caledonia and specifically Isle of Pines or Ille de Pins (french spelling I hope!) There is a ferry called Betico which leaves Noumea almost daily and travels out to the island or you can fly from the capital, Noumea, whcih is worth a couple of days, maybe at the Novotel Surf on the beach. Five days on Isle of Pines and you'll be relaxed & ready for anything! The place to stay for budget travellers in Nataiwatch. They have a website www.nataiwatch.com If you can spare more then Oure Lodge next door is more impressive. The island is superb but we picked the wrong place to stay, Gite Manamaky, however we loved New Caledonia far more than Fiji. The food, wine, beaches, hospitality are superior to many South Pacific destinations. Have a great holiday and post your opinion wherever you stay, please!

pat_woolford

Hi Michi - have you thought of Vanuatu islands - flights from both Australia and NZ, also. Beautiful south sea islands with volcano on Tanna - Pentecost Island, in April/May is where tribesman leap from 35m bamboo towers - original bungy jumpers. Have stayed twice at Erakor Resort - a little island in Erakor Lagoon - a few minutes from mainland on and short taxi or bus drive into Port Vila. It was very reasonably priced when I was last there but believe its been renovated which may make a significant difference.

sneezey

Given the budget I'd first probably put Tahiti off the list. Cooks as mentioned is probably a good choice.

Fiji has some nice things to do but outter islands aren't going to be a draw for you, and I don't think it would be the best choice.

Samoa is very nice and like Fiji, wouldn't be a bad choice, but I just think you might do better. I don't think of it as a top place to "explore" without some exercise.

If the Cooks is one idea, I would say consider Tonga as the other choice. It's pretty easy to do with a couple of day tours getting to see the blow holes, the flying foxes, the King's Palace and all. In my opinion, one of the absolute best native craft spots of any where in the SP.

Nothing wrong with some of the other islands too, but to me Vanuatu is more traveling around, and New Caledonia is too French and misses the SP character. (which there is nothing wrong with, I would just rather to go to Nice to get the same palm trees and beaches)

robbieb

We went on a cruise through New Caledonia recently and stopped off at the Isle of Pines. I would definitely like to go back. Had lunch at a little hotel restaurant right off the beach, you could just swim off the beach and you were in lovely coral with load of fish. Take a French/English phrase book through !!

michi

Thanks for good replies. We have put off this trip until the next year or two because of the expense but will definitely take your suggestions into consideration.

We are going to Argentina instead on an excellent package.