Tahiti/Fiji or the Cook Islands
 

Can anybody advise me? We wanted to go to Australia but don't want to spend that much time on an airplane (coming from the east coast). I know Tahiti is 7 1/2 hrs from L.A does anyone know how long for the other 2. Which place has the most to do other than laying on a beach. Thanks for all your help.

NZ Air flight #53 leaves LA at 9:10 PM and arrives on Rarotonga in the Cooks at 5:15 AM the next morning. factoring in the 2 hour time difference (during non-daylight savings time), leaves you with a 10 hour 5 minute flight. Return flight is a little less (9 hour 30 minute). <BR> <BR>Ken

THanks for the answer Ken. But of the choices where would you go and why? Anyone? THank you <BR>

I was in French Polynesia in March of 2000 and will be in the Cooks in March of next year. Though I've not been there yet, I've done a lot of reading on the Cooks and it seems clear there is more to do in French Polynesia than in the Cooks as the former is a bit more developed than the latter. Not that I'm knocking the Cooks, I am going there remember, and (I might add) looking forward to it a great deal. In fact, to me the lack of development is somewhat of a plus - but if you want more activities then I would think that French Polynesia would win out. It is however, by far the most expensive choice of the three. <BR> <BR>Don't know about Fiji. Anyone else out there care to comment? <BR> <BR>Ken

Message:Just got back from the cook islands and loved it.It is winter down there,so we ran into some cool weather.Kind of cloudy most of the time with some rain.Had a few day's of sun. I thought there was plenty to do. You can snorkel, hike or go kayaking. We did all of the above. I would highly recommend going to the cultural tour it was very interesting and entertaining. The locals and New Zealander's were very friendly and helpful.Also took the jeep safari tour and day trip to Aitutaki . The island of Aitutaki was absolutely stunning.Beautiful blue clear water. Stayed at the Pacific Villas, in a beachfront villa in Rarotonga. The polynesian dance show at the Edgewater was very good as well. There are alot of stray dogs all over the island. Most are harmless but they are kind of a nusaince. Also,alot of roosters so you may want to bring earplugs since they roam around the hotels. Rarotonga is a great value for American's,since our dollar is very strong right now over there. I have been to alot of island's and I would rate Rarotonga high on my list of island's to go. Also not alot of American's mostly Kiwi's, Aussies,Canadian's and European's. Barbara

To Barabara: <BR> <BR>Where did you stay on Aitutaki? <BR> <BR>Ken

Having been to all three, though I love Fiji the most, I'd have to say Cook Islands has the most to do. FP has lots of organized tours now unfortunately but on Rarotonga you can more easily become part of the daily island activities so to speak on your own without feeling it is "tour driven". But it all depends on what you are looking for, what your budget is & your expectations. Can't say one is "better" than the other, they are all different places with their own offerings. Not a bad choice in the bunch though!

We just got back from Fiji and were in Tahiti in January. The flight from LA to Fiji was 10 hours, but you sleep half the time so it wasn't bad. In comparing the 2, I liked them both. We stayed at the Shangri La which is a 100 acre resort on its own island with 4 pools, 4 restuarants with all kinds of options. Our money is double over there so it was a very affordable trip. We went to the end of road and met up with a taxi driver who drove us around for 3 days wherever we wanted to go and he took us to his house for lunch one day. They speak English and are very friendly. At the hotel they have a great band at night which was fun. It was nice to have the best of both worlds, staying at a nice hotel but yet going out with the native people also. I did like Tahiti's water better. It was calmer around the island we were on, Moorea and you could snorkel offshore easier and still see some cool fish. Tahiti also has the overwater bungalows which we stayed in for one night which was wonderful. Tahiti is french speaking and everything is more expensive. Any other questions let me know.

Hi Deb, <BR>Was your taxi driver's name Khan by any chance? I'm glad you liked Fiji but next time you have to go to one of the islands. The beaches on the Coral Coast aren't great but go to one of the islands, or better still, the Blue Lagoon Cruise.....absolute heaven. <BR>Diane

THanks everyone for all your helpful information. <BR>Kara

Message: To Ken I did not stay on Aitutaki for the night,we went for the day on a day tour trip arranged by Air Rarotonga.Did stop by the Pearl Beach Resort on Aitutaki.Very lovely since it is located on a private island,although it is very expensive. If you are planning to go to Aitutaki,a few day's would be sufficient since the island is very small and not alot to do other then water activity on the lagoon. Barabara