Which island to go to on holiday?

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nate

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#198869 26-Jul-2016 11:06

AirNZ has a 72 hour sale to the islands, am hoping to take the wife away for a well deserved break.

I've only been to Niue (grandparents were from there) so where do you guys recommend I go next? Looking at heading away for 10 days or so.

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#1598860 26-Jul-2016 11:16

Rarotonga, with several days in Aitutaki.

Aitutaki is more expensive than Raro, but is well worth the extra.

No language problems, NZ currency, tiny local population, Island Time.

Sideface

trig42

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#1598861 26-Jul-2016 11:16

What type of holiday?

Cook Islands are good if you just want to stop (either in a resort or renting a house). Not a huge amount to do apart from relaxing and swimming (which is why I like it).

Samoa is great I hear too. Haven't done Fiji.

Have done Vanuatu, but only too briefly and would love to go back.

MikeB4

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#1598862 26-Jul-2016 11:18

Stewart Island

nate

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#1598864 26-Jul-2016 11:19

MikeB4:

Stewart Island

Yup, that'd be a divorce, I can already foresee it.

Dratsab

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#1598873 26-Jul-2016 11:31

All of those islands* are great places to go to. The only one I wouldn't go to myself would be Fiji as I won't lend any form of support to the Bananarama dictatorship.

EDIT: *Pacific Islands Deal

craigw

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#1598874 26-Jul-2016 11:31

We have done Fiji before and just got back from Vanuatu. Also done Raro. Mostly with kids which may be different but I think it comes down to what you want to do.

If it is just laze on the beach/pool and drink margaritas then Raro or Fiji are good options. Definitely Aitutaki if you like that.

Vanuatu has nice resorts but also you can hire a car/Mini Moke and travel around and see a bunch of other things. So if you like getting out and about and immersing in the local culture or being independent then Vanuatu might be the go. They seem to have alot of deals on there at the moment.

Vanuatu is relatively expensive, especially at the resorts. But only 3 hours flight and no real time difference to get used to.

scottjpalmer

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#1598965 26-Jul-2016 12:28

Sideface:
Rarotonga, with several days in Aitutaki.

Aitutaki is more expensive than Raro, but is well worth the extra.

No language problems, NZ currency, tiny local population, Island Time.

That's what I would've said.

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DarthKermit

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#1598967 26-Jul-2016 12:31

Skull Island

richrdh18

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#1598995 26-Jul-2016 12:44

Fiji, Malolo Island if you want to just chill out and relax. Great for kids. No TV, no WiFi in the rooms. There is a lounge area for TV and Wifi at the beach bar if you need to catch up on things.

Plenty to do everyday, happy hour every evening. Great food and restaurants. No crowds or lining up for anything, resort only has approx 30 rooms so guess that's the reason.

Spent a week there a few years ago, most relaxing time ever.

openmedia

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#1598997 26-Jul-2016 12:46

Muri Beach in Rarotonga is great as you can pretty much walk everywhere and occasionally get the bus into town if needed.

I'd love to make it off to Aitutaki at some point.

Fiji can be great, I've stayed on Denerau twice - worth checking on Air BnB for some details

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

sleemanj

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#1599005 26-Jul-2016 13:05

Either New Caledonia or Tahiti for a real mix of Polynesia and European influence.

NC is basically our closest neighbour country (ignoring Norfolk)... it's surprising to me how many people don't even consider going there.

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MikeAqua

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#1599012 26-Jul-2016 13:15

Hawaii, Big Island.

Mike

networkn

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#1599017 26-Jul-2016 13:25

MikeAqua:

Hawaii, Big Island.

Hawaii - Maui, specifically Wailea, but very expensive. Amazing. My favourite holiday location on earth, not even close. If you want to know more PM or email or call me, it's a place you'll never forget.

As a second choice dependant on budget, we liked New Caledonia, food is awesome.

I like Fiji too, but hate the food, and any place with passable food (like Vomo) is eye wateringly expensive by most peoples standards.

MikeAqua

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#1599022 26-Jul-2016 13:38

sleemanj:

Either New Caledonia or Tahiti for a real mix of Polynesia and European influence.

Trouble is the European influence extends to pricing ...

Mike

networkn

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#1599026 26-Jul-2016 13:40

MikeAqua:

sleemanj:

Either New Caledonia or Tahiti for a real mix of Polynesia and European influence.

Trouble is the European influence extends to pricing ...

NC is especially expensive for food, since they don't tax there the same way and people have much larger disposable incomes.

It was amazing though, our trip, and there are some great deals to be had as it's not as popular as it once was.

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