Easter Island, traditionally known as Rapa Nui, conjures up images of myths and tragedies and forgotten far off lands. The island is indeed one of the most remote parts of the world - the nearest populated land mass is tiny Pitcairn Island almost 2000km to the west with the South American coast being 3,700km to the east. There are no islands to the north or south. The Polynesian people who lived, first arrived about 400AD from the Marquesas but in time, they believed they were from Te Pito o Te Henua - the navel of the world and there is little evidence of trade with other islands - it seems these Polynesians knew nothing of the world beyond their horizon.
Facts
-land mass: 45 sq. miles
-population: 2,500
-tourists: 3,000
-total islands: 1
-# of hotels (approx.): 15
-language: Spanish, Rapa Nui
-temp 0C : Jan 25 ; Jun 20
-currency: Chilean Peso
There are several unique and fascinating archaeological sites to see including the many, now fallen, Maoi stone statues staring stoically into the ocean. There are also many stone platforms as well as the unique hieroglyphic scripts carved on wooden tablets - and no other Polynesian society had developed the written form.
Tourism remains low key despite the islands international recognition as a unique destination. There are no hotels as such but instead a good variety of guesthouses offering all standards and budgets. Several tour companies offer organised trips to visit the sights around the island. Car and bicycle hire are the alternatives. Cuisine on island is influenced by its many South American inhabitants and food on the whole is generally quite expensive.
Lan Chile operates four flights a week from Santiago in Chile and connecting on to Papeete in Tahiti.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tokelau Islands
Tokelau is tiny coral island about 500km north of Samoa which remains a dependent territory of New Zealand. There is no airport so the only way to get there is on the monthly cargo boat from Samoa, a journey that takes over 2 days and nights.
This tiny collection of three coral atolls is the true south seas of old. Tourists seldom visit the islands as the only way of getting there is by cargo boat from Samoa. Those that make the arduous journey will find nothing much to do except chill out with the locals. The atolls themselves are tiny - none rise above 5 metres and are less than 200 metres wide. Travel between the atolls is by local catamaran which sometimes departs fortnightly. Life is very traditional with strict Christian beliefs and all village affairs are dictated by the chiefs and elders. Food and water are scarce. Visas must be obtained from the Office for Tokelau Affairs in Apia, Samoa tel: (685) 20822; fax (685) 21761. Accommodation and a return ticket to Samoa must be pre-booked and it is customary to contact the village spokesman before you arrive asking permission and advising your intentions for travel. Camping is prohibited.
This tiny collection of three coral atolls is the true south seas of old. Tourists seldom visit the islands as the only way of getting there is by cargo boat from Samoa. Those that make the arduous journey will find nothing much to do except chill out with the locals. The atolls themselves are tiny - none rise above 5 metres and are less than 200 metres wide. Travel between the atolls is by local catamaran which sometimes departs fortnightly. Life is very traditional with strict Christian beliefs and all village affairs are dictated by the chiefs and elders. Food and water are scarce. Visas must be obtained from the Office for Tokelau Affairs in Apia, Samoa tel: (685) 20822; fax (685) 21761. Accommodation and a return ticket to Samoa must be pre-booked and it is customary to contact the village spokesman before you arrive asking permission and advising your intentions for travel. Camping is prohibited.
Tuvalu Islands
Tuvalu is one of the worlds smallest nations spread over 800 km of ocean and located about 1000km north of Fiji. The seven islands are all tiny coral atolls, no higher than 5 metres high with a fragile eco-system unable to support its growing population.
The government of Tuvalu is so concerned about over population and rising sea levels that it has already purchased land in Fiji (the island of Kioa) and re-settled some of its population and is looking for more land. With few natural resources, the coconut fronds and pandanus leaves that can grow on the islands are put to use in making some of the finest handicrafts in the Pacific.
The main island of Funafuti has the nations only airport which is served from Fiji. Visas are granted on arrival for one month. Funafuti is a ramshackle place with a litter problem, has a few hotels and guesthouses and is mostly westernised. The other atolls all retain traditional houses and lifestyles, although boat services to them are unreliable. It is customary to contact the village spokesman before you arrive asking permission and advising your intentions for travel. Camping is prohibited.
The government of Tuvalu is so concerned about over population and rising sea levels that it has already purchased land in Fiji (the island of Kioa) and re-settled some of its population and is looking for more land. With few natural resources, the coconut fronds and pandanus leaves that can grow on the islands are put to use in making some of the finest handicrafts in the Pacific.
The main island of Funafuti has the nations only airport which is served from Fiji. Visas are granted on arrival for one month. Funafuti is a ramshackle place with a litter problem, has a few hotels and guesthouses and is mostly westernised. The other atolls all retain traditional houses and lifestyles, although boat services to them are unreliable. It is customary to contact the village spokesman before you arrive asking permission and advising your intentions for travel. Camping is prohibited.
Niue Island
In early January 2005, Niue Island was hit by the devastating Hurrican Heta. Substantial damage was caused much of the topurism industry suffered. However, rebuilding has been swift and several new hotels have been completed.
Niue Island, the "rock" island, lies about 600km to the east of Tonga in the south west Pacific about half way between New Zealand and French Polynesia. There are few beaches on the island, but travellers to this remote island will find an easy going and extremely friendly Polynesian society.
Isolated Niue is a raised atoll or makatae, similar to the islands of Atiu and Mangaia in the Cook Islands and is about 100 sq. miles in size. It is quite flat making it an excellent place to explore by bicycle and tropical forests dominate in the east of the island where bird life is rich.
The capital town is Alofi, located on a peninsula on the west of the island with about 2000 inhabitants, being half the population. The coastline around the island is extremely rocky, with limestone caves making for good snorkelling offshore. Scuba diving off the reef is exceptional, the highlight being the impressive gorgonian fans. Tourism is very low key and the traditional Polynesian lifestyle of farming and fishing is strong. Getting there is expensive due to its isolation from commercial travel routes. Taxis are available at the airport, about 3km south of Alofi Town and cost about NZ$10 although most hotels will meet and greet. Public transport is non-existent around the 60-km paved coastal highway but car hire (NZ$50 per day), mopeds (NZ$20 per day) and bicycles (NZ$8 per day) are readily available. Infrequent cargo boats also visit the island from Tonga.
Niue Island, the "rock" island, lies about 600km to the east of Tonga in the south west Pacific about half way between New Zealand and French Polynesia. There are few beaches on the island, but travellers to this remote island will find an easy going and extremely friendly Polynesian society.
Isolated Niue is a raised atoll or makatae, similar to the islands of Atiu and Mangaia in the Cook Islands and is about 100 sq. miles in size. It is quite flat making it an excellent place to explore by bicycle and tropical forests dominate in the east of the island where bird life is rich.
The capital town is Alofi, located on a peninsula on the west of the island with about 2000 inhabitants, being half the population. The coastline around the island is extremely rocky, with limestone caves making for good snorkelling offshore. Scuba diving off the reef is exceptional, the highlight being the impressive gorgonian fans. Tourism is very low key and the traditional Polynesian lifestyle of farming and fishing is strong. Getting there is expensive due to its isolation from commercial travel routes. Taxis are available at the airport, about 3km south of Alofi Town and cost about NZ$10 although most hotels will meet and greet. Public transport is non-existent around the 60-km paved coastal highway but car hire (NZ$50 per day), mopeds (NZ$20 per day) and bicycles (NZ$8 per day) are readily available. Infrequent cargo boats also visit the island from Tonga.
Micronesia Islands
Micronesia Islands is a collection of thousands of tiny islands and many dependent and independent states in the North Pacific. Famous for its exceptional scuba diving, enhanced by the many relics from WW11 which made it famous, these islands are a mix of remote outposts and commercial tourist destinations, of traditional cultures and lifestyles and american and japanese playgrounds.
Guam is perhaps the best known of the islands and certainly the most visited. Large hotels, fine beaches, large shopping complexes and pure relaxation are its trademarks.
Kiribati Islands (pronounced Kiribas), is perhaps the sparsest of the South Pacific islands. Covering an area of 3.5 million sq. km of ocean and stretching almost 4000 km from east to west, there are just 3 small groups of tiny coral atolls.
The Northern Marianas, including Tinian and Saipan are equally indulgent and offer the complete tourist vacation.
Beyond these islands, tradition and remoteness takes hold and tourism becomes low key. Enchanting spots include the Palau Islands, a myriad of limestone rocks with great sailing and scuba diving, and Yap, a step back in time to the Pacific of old. Archaeological sites throughout the region make this a great place for exploring.
Guam is perhaps the best known of the islands and certainly the most visited. Large hotels, fine beaches, large shopping complexes and pure relaxation are its trademarks.
Kiribati Islands (pronounced Kiribas), is perhaps the sparsest of the South Pacific islands. Covering an area of 3.5 million sq. km of ocean and stretching almost 4000 km from east to west, there are just 3 small groups of tiny coral atolls.
The Northern Marianas, including Tinian and Saipan are equally indulgent and offer the complete tourist vacation.
Beyond these islands, tradition and remoteness takes hold and tourism becomes low key. Enchanting spots include the Palau Islands, a myriad of limestone rocks with great sailing and scuba diving, and Yap, a step back in time to the Pacific of old. Archaeological sites throughout the region make this a great place for exploring.
Hawaii
The Hawaii Islands is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. One of the 50 States of the USA, it is a mix of tradition and modern living, of large beach resorts and tropical adventure. Waikiki rules the tourist brochures, but the absolutely stunning landscape around the group should be more than enough to tempt most tourists to these shores.
Oahu, in particular the tourist icon of Waikiki Beach, is visited by more than 4 million tourists each year, mostly Americans and Japanese. Waikiki beach, the shopping malls of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, magnificent golf courses and the surf on the North Shore are its main attractions.
The Big Island is by far the largest island in the far south of the group, but only 140,000 people live there. But, over a million tourists visit each year, drawn by the stunning tropical scenery, laid back lifestyle, snow capped mountains and lava flowing volcanoes. Scuba diving and game fishing are at its best here and there is a growing colony of large beach hotels and golf courses.
Maui, by contrast, is the glamour beach destination with lots of large international hotels and condominium complexes alongside sweeping swimming beaches and manicured golf courses. The rural charm of the upper valleys and the historical port of Lahaina give the island a classical feel. Maui is also renowned for its excellent whale watching.
Kauai, the garden island, is much quieter than Maui with equally good beaches and the most breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery with great hiking and kayaking opportunities. Those who love the outdoors will find Kauai to be the most compelling destination.
Only on Molokai and Lanai will you truly escape commercialism - tourist infrastructure is limited, the scenery and beaches are not picture postcard, but a certain charm prevails where elsewhere in Hawaii it has been lost.
Hawaii beach locations are renowned for their long stretches of white sand and great surfing conditions. If you like to just lie on the beach then the beaches throughout Hawaii will charm you. However, if you like to swim, you'll find some beaches to be fantastic fun, whilst others to be too dangerous to venture into. Winter months herald high surf to the northern shores of all islands and make swimming dangerous. In general, the best activity beaches are on Oahu, the most secluded beaches on the Big Island, the most scenic beaches on Kauai, and the best swimming beaches on Maui.
Hawaii's isolation from the world has created a unique and thriving natural environment with stunning and diverse scenery from mist filler tropical rinforests to barren mountain scape volcanoes.
Hawaii boasts numerous championship golf courses on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island which are generally part of a mega resort complex. Most resort courses are overtly manicured and lack the rough edge of European golf courses. The most breath-taking and challenging courses are found on the main island of Oahu.
Hawaii is one of the most popular honeymoon and wedding destinations in the world, with Waikiki Beach a particular favourite amongst Japanese and the ostentatious resorts of Wailua on Maui and Princeville on Kauai with Americans. These large International resorts offer exceptional pampering along with fine dining to add to the naturally romantic scene of a tropical beach paradise.
Oahu, in particular the tourist icon of Waikiki Beach, is visited by more than 4 million tourists each year, mostly Americans and Japanese. Waikiki beach, the shopping malls of Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, magnificent golf courses and the surf on the North Shore are its main attractions.
The Big Island is by far the largest island in the far south of the group, but only 140,000 people live there. But, over a million tourists visit each year, drawn by the stunning tropical scenery, laid back lifestyle, snow capped mountains and lava flowing volcanoes. Scuba diving and game fishing are at its best here and there is a growing colony of large beach hotels and golf courses.
Maui, by contrast, is the glamour beach destination with lots of large international hotels and condominium complexes alongside sweeping swimming beaches and manicured golf courses. The rural charm of the upper valleys and the historical port of Lahaina give the island a classical feel. Maui is also renowned for its excellent whale watching.
Kauai, the garden island, is much quieter than Maui with equally good beaches and the most breathtaking mountain and coastal scenery with great hiking and kayaking opportunities. Those who love the outdoors will find Kauai to be the most compelling destination.
Only on Molokai and Lanai will you truly escape commercialism - tourist infrastructure is limited, the scenery and beaches are not picture postcard, but a certain charm prevails where elsewhere in Hawaii it has been lost.
Hawaii beach locations are renowned for their long stretches of white sand and great surfing conditions. If you like to just lie on the beach then the beaches throughout Hawaii will charm you. However, if you like to swim, you'll find some beaches to be fantastic fun, whilst others to be too dangerous to venture into. Winter months herald high surf to the northern shores of all islands and make swimming dangerous. In general, the best activity beaches are on Oahu, the most secluded beaches on the Big Island, the most scenic beaches on Kauai, and the best swimming beaches on Maui.
Hawaii's isolation from the world has created a unique and thriving natural environment with stunning and diverse scenery from mist filler tropical rinforests to barren mountain scape volcanoes.
Hawaii boasts numerous championship golf courses on Kauai, Maui and the Big Island which are generally part of a mega resort complex. Most resort courses are overtly manicured and lack the rough edge of European golf courses. The most breath-taking and challenging courses are found on the main island of Oahu.
Hawaii is one of the most popular honeymoon and wedding destinations in the world, with Waikiki Beach a particular favourite amongst Japanese and the ostentatious resorts of Wailua on Maui and Princeville on Kauai with Americans. These large International resorts offer exceptional pampering along with fine dining to add to the naturally romantic scene of a tropical beach paradise.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a collection of 15 islands in the heart of Polynesia mid way between Tahiti and Tonga. Cook Islands travel is centred mostly around Rarotonga, the main population centre with the international airport. Rarotonga has high volcanic mountain peaks covered in tropical rain forest and lots of small beach resorts. Aitutaki is a small island 45-minutes flight to the north with attractive beaches and a beautiful lagoon and is the only other frequently visited island by tourists. Of the other islands, Atiu is good for eco tourism and has a few guesthouses. The Cook Islands is a self-governing dependency of New Zealand with its own parliament but uses the New Zealand currency.
Rarotonga is the largest Cook Island being 67 sq. km in size - its population of 11,500 live around the coastal road. Here there are plenty of small beach resorts ideal for families and couples, and lots of self catering bungalows and vacation homes for more independent travellers. The tourist infrastructure is well developed with some excellent day tours, good independent restaurants and a reliable transport network. Rarotonga's main attractions are its lovely beaches, tropical mountain trails and laid back Polynesian lifestyle. Snorkelling is good along the south coast and there are several scuba diving companies with reefs being ideal for beginners and holiday divers.
Aitutaki is the only other tourist centre, a 45 minute flight from Rarotonga. It is a lot less commercial and ideal for honeymoons - stay here a couple of days and you'll feel totally submerged in island style life. The villages are charming and although it lacks tropical mountains, the beaches are lovely. The main attraction, however, is one of the finest lagoons in the entire Pacific with good snorkelling and day cruises to the tiny uninhabited atolls where the beaches are exquisite.
Atiu is the third most popular destination and is excellent for exploring. The island has gorgeous secluded cove beaches, interesting caves, a very traditional community lifestyle and rare tropical birds.
Traditional dance performances is one of the icons of Polynesian life. Erotic hip swaying movements and upbeat drumming has come to resemble the archetypal Polynesian person - aesthetic and extremely seductive. Cook Island dancing is performed regularly at the resorts and there are several colourful competitions each year that are well worth experiencing.
Rarotonga is the largest Cook Island being 67 sq. km in size - its population of 11,500 live around the coastal road. Here there are plenty of small beach resorts ideal for families and couples, and lots of self catering bungalows and vacation homes for more independent travellers. The tourist infrastructure is well developed with some excellent day tours, good independent restaurants and a reliable transport network. Rarotonga's main attractions are its lovely beaches, tropical mountain trails and laid back Polynesian lifestyle. Snorkelling is good along the south coast and there are several scuba diving companies with reefs being ideal for beginners and holiday divers.
Aitutaki is the only other tourist centre, a 45 minute flight from Rarotonga. It is a lot less commercial and ideal for honeymoons - stay here a couple of days and you'll feel totally submerged in island style life. The villages are charming and although it lacks tropical mountains, the beaches are lovely. The main attraction, however, is one of the finest lagoons in the entire Pacific with good snorkelling and day cruises to the tiny uninhabited atolls where the beaches are exquisite.
Atiu is the third most popular destination and is excellent for exploring. The island has gorgeous secluded cove beaches, interesting caves, a very traditional community lifestyle and rare tropical birds.
Traditional dance performances is one of the icons of Polynesian life. Erotic hip swaying movements and upbeat drumming has come to resemble the archetypal Polynesian person - aesthetic and extremely seductive. Cook Island dancing is performed regularly at the resorts and there are several colourful competitions each year that are well worth experiencing.
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