27-Day Pacific Pearls

Bora Bora is one of over 100 islands in the South Pacific. The people are a mix of Maori, Chinese and European, and have a unique, welcoming culture. One can experience turquoise blue waters, white sand beaches, as well as a heathly mix of culture and the arts. Excellent hiking, scuba diving, fishing, boating and more can also be easily found.

The Great Barrier Reef curves close to the coast and meets the rain forest at Cairns, the gateway to Australia’s “Deep North.” Explore the reef up close via catamaran, or choose from a host of excursions the lush tropical forests, picturesque towns and homesteads that surround the city. The nearby town of Kuranda has a butterfly farm and a great street market on Sundays and Wednesdays.

The capital of the Solomon Islands, it is located on the island of Guadalcanal. It was founded after WWII, since the old capital, Tulagi, had been severely damaged in the war.

Tahiti, (te-hê´tê) island (1988 pop. 115,820), 402 sq mi (1,041 sq km), S Pacific, in the Society Islands, French Polynesia. The capital is Papeete. It relies on tourism and produces vanilla, fruits, and copra. Settled by Polynesians (14th cent.), it was visited in the 18th century by Capt. James Cook and Lt. William Bligh. It became French in 1843. Gauguin painted his best-known works there.

Rarotonga, located in the Cook Islands off the coast of New Zealand, has none of the tourist hype that surrounds Hawaii and Fiji. Its tranquil, aquamarine waters and breathtaking landscape bring many visitors to this island paradise.

Suva, capital of Fiji, on Viti Levu.It is considered the most cosmopolitan city in the South Pacific. With a population of 160,000, there are high rise buildings and hotels that overlook the colonial buildings left over from when the British occupied the island.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales, is Australia’s largest city, chief port, and main cultural and industrial center. Manufactures include ships, refined oil, chemicals, textiles, and automobiles. Sydney Harbour and Port Botany are the main ports. Founded as a penal colony in 1788, Sydney is Australia’s oldest settlement. Its population surged during the Australian gold rushes of the 1850s. Sydney replaced Melbourne as the nation’s largest population center after World War II. Landmarks include the Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932); the Gladesville Bridge (1964); the modernistic Sydney Opera House complex (1973); and the Centrepoint Tower (1981), Australia’s tallest building. The city has several universities and museums, including the National Gallery of Art and the Australia Museum.

Vava’u and the other 40 odd islands that make up this stunningly beautiful group, in the north of the Kingdom of Tonga archipelago, is a very special piece of paradise. Now easily accessible from Tongatapu, Fiji and Samoa through airline connections. Vava’u, to its advantage, still remains off the beaten track of mass tourism South Pacific travel routes. This is a place where you can be free to be yourself. Where pressures are washed away by the gentle lapping of the sea on stunningly beautiful white coral sand beaches and the whisper of the trade winds through lush green coconut plantation.

On the main island of Vava’u is located the group’s tiny capital of Neiafu perched above Port of Refuge Harbour, unquestionably one of the most spectacular and beautiful natural harbours in the world. Neiafu and its surrounding villages are home to about a third of the Vava’u Islands overall population of about 20,000. The majority of the Vava’u people live in small villages dotted on islands throughout the group. Situated at Neiafu are all the government agencies including the hospital, customs and immigration departments, police headquarters, the post office and a variety of small shops, two supermarkets and the region’s fresh produce market.

The climate in Vava’u is very pleasant being year round slightly cooler and less humid than most neighbouring countries in similar subtropical latitudes. The temperatures range between 18-25 degrees Celcius during April through October and 24-32 degrees Celcius between November and March. Trade winds blow a fairly constant 13-18 knots during winter month with the breeze being more light and variable during the summer. At times the lush verdant islands attract passing rainclouds and on such occasions the skies open up with breathtaking tropical downpours giving everyone an enjoyable cooling rainbath. Here life is still simple – people find time to enjoy the wonders of nature.