Just wanted to thank you for all the info on planning a trip - Hawaii vs other exotic destination post. I just had a chance to read your comparison of Hawaii, French Polynesia and Cook Islands and found it extremely helpful. Probably the most comprehensive review I've read so far. I'm sure other will also find it helpful. How lucky you are to have visited these amazing places. One question for you. Have you been to Fiji? Wondering how the pacific islands compare to fiji and what your thoughts are. Would love to hear some comparisons and detailed information as what you have provided on your review. From what I've read, fiji offers many of the things you mentioned loving about the Cook Islands. Any idea where I can find a comprehensive reference that compares these islands? What appeals to me most is the feeling of getting away to a remote location (deserted island feeling) while still retaining a feeling of warmth and friendliness with the natives. Thanks again for your help!!!

Hi Bosco -

Unfortunately I've not yet been to Fiji - though it's on my list of places to see. My long term plan is to work my way west, seeing Tonga, Samoa (not so much American Samoa as the Kingdom of Samoa), then Fiji.

Having said that, I have learned quite a bit about Fiji already - in part from reading, and in part from various on-line & E-mail discussions with other travelers. Keep in mind that Fiji is MUCH larger than either French Polynesia or the Cooks with a much larger (and more diverse) population and a much, much greater area. The food there is considered to be one of the high points. Keep in mind also, that from what I've heard it seems that the true beauty of Fiji (and the best beaches) is to be found on the outer islands. I've also heard repeatedly that the Fijians are incredibly friendly (I wouldn't worry about occasional reports of "unrest" - these are old news and even at the time tourists were not impacted). I'm also under the impression that their "rainy" season is much wetter than that found in either French Polynesia or the Cooks - though the fact that many of the islands are larger means that some areas are under the same "rain shadow" effect that Hawaii offers, so it's seems there are sunny and wet sides of many of the islands.

You might consider picking up a travel book on Fiji - and the Cooks too if you've not yet done so. I have occasional E-mail contact with David Stanley (http://southpacific.org/), author of a whole number of popular books on this region and find his books very useful. Another good source of info (on the Cooks) is Elliot Smith, author of "The Cook Islands Companion" and owner of the Shangri-La resort on Rarotonga (http://www.shangri-la.co.ck/). The book is currently out of print but Elliot continues to be a great source of info on the Lonely Planet's "Thorn Tree" board (http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/ca...s.cfm?catid=20) where he posts answers to questions (he is known as "Raro" on that board). Overall, the Thorn Tree board seems to me to be the best overal source of information from other visitors to Fiji.

Anyway, I hope this helps a bit. Sorry I can't provide any first-hand info on Fiji, but at least I can perhaps steer you in the right direction. From what I've seen of the South Pacific region, it seems to me that most of it is just lovely.

Ken

PS - I guess it's obvious, but no, I don't know of a comprehensive comparision article that looks at Fiji/Tahiti/Cook Islands.

Ken

By the way, thanks for the kind words. Glad you liked the article.

PS2 (sorry) - I should point out that I don't think "Raro" knows that much about Fiji, but he's an expert on the Cooks (as only a local can be).

Ken

Thanks again! I'll check out the board for more insight. Still haven;t eliminated Hawaii (thanks to some posts on quieter parts of Kauai and Molokai), but the research is part of the fun. You've been incredibly helpful.