Pacific Island Holidays - Recommendations

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networkn

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#174921 10-Jun-2015 19:50

Hi There!

We have been to Fiji many times, and were in fact married there, however one thing that always seems to happen is I get an upset stomach. The food there is terrible to say the least (At least it was 4 years ago when we were last there), with places like Vomo being a reasonable exception (Still not as good as mainland NZ though).

We were keen to perhaps the other islands like Raro, but my concern is that the food would be even worse in those places (No fresh milk etc).

We want somewhere nice that takes kids and has a good kids club too (3 and 5 years).

Anyone got any recommendations?

Cheers

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#1322408 10-Jun-2015 20:13

I've been to pretty much all the islands and quite often with my job and my pick is Raro.
It's still one of the islands that feels like an island, not too over commercialised, people are great and the currency is NZ$.

My sister got married there as well.

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#1322414 10-Jun-2015 20:15

Fabian: I've been to pretty much all the islands and quite often with my job and my pick is Raro.
It's still one of the islands that feels like an island, not too over commercialised, people are great and the currency is NZ$.

My sister got married there as well.

What is your experience with the food. From my experience, New Caledonia had the best but obviously price is the flip side.

We are trying to decide if an Island holiday is a good choice, or we should head back to Paradise Resort in the GC.

Boeingflyer

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#1322462 10-Jun-2015 22:11

No problems, can be a bit fatty but the 'yacht club' is a great place to eat. That's ya more middle upper class food. Mostly ate in the hotels.

Once have I never thought that the milk would be powered, ha ha. Never noticed the difference.

The island is small but great in the fact that it is sort of divided up, town over here, party resorts over there and then family resorts over here etc.

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#1322487 10-Jun-2015 22:59

Another vote for Raro. We have been there twice, staying at the Pacific Resort by Muri Beach each time. A fantastic place for families, organised along the lines of a Kiwi motel rather than a hotel as most of the other resorts are. Very safe swimming & snorkelling beach with Kayaks, SUPs and Windsurfers available for hire and Captain Tama's coral lagoon cruises available at family-friendly prices. Lots of beautiful fish and coral is in the lagoon which is easily accessible to anyone from teenagers upward, even if they've never snorkelled before.

Transport is really well organised compared to other Pacific Island destinations we've been to. Buses run around the island clockwise once per hour and anti-clockwise on the half-hours in between the clockwise trips. Last time we were there it cost $2 for a ticket right around the island (32km) but may have gone up a bit since then. No doubt still a bargain; alternatively you can hire motor scooters or cars.

There are also horse rides and mountain treks for the more adventurous, as well as deep sea fishing if you've got some spare $$$. Most other activities are reasonably priced for families and the atmosphere is the most friendly and relaxed of any Pacific island I know of.

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#1322501 10-Jun-2015 23:34

This is not Pacific Island - but I highly recommend Seychelles. You can jump between the islands every year you there. Have a look at Seychelles Beaches (http://roadaway.com/beaches-in-seychelles/)

I highly recommend Four Seasons if you are in Mahe - http://www.fourseasons.com/seychelles/

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#1322569 11-Jun-2015 08:24

Maybe look at doing the trip on a cruise ship.

Can choose one that goes to several places you have on your list, and explore them while you are there for the day / couple of days.

Then can go back next time to the island you liked the look of the most.

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#1322591 11-Jun-2015 08:50

Edgewater in Rarotonga is cheapest, or anywhere in Raro.

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#1322592 11-Jun-2015 08:51

I agree with others about Raro/Cooks (Aitutaki is supposed to be amazing). I would also consider Vanuatu. We stopped at Port Vila for a day when on a cruise a couple of years ago, and decided we would go back - friendly people, and good food (Santo Beef - mmm). Well priced too.

Raro has fresh milk - saw Anchor bottles in the 'supermarket' there.

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#1322596 11-Jun-2015 08:53

Aitutaki is quite expensive, and adults only

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#1322598 11-Jun-2015 08:58

joker97: Aitutaki is quite expensive, and adults only

Its not that expensive, but expensive to get to. Its also not adults only.

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#1322600 11-Jun-2015 09:01

Hoofhaarted: Maybe look at doing the trip on a cruise ship.

Can choose one that goes to several places you have on your list, and explore them while you are there for the day / couple of days.

Then can go back next time to the island you liked the look of the most.

Thats what we're planning on doing in the next year or two, take small case for clothes and everything else pretty much supplied, no worrying about anything...

XPD / Gavin

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trig42

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#1322601 11-Jun-2015 09:03

xpd:
Hoofhaarted: Maybe look at doing the trip on a cruise ship.

Can choose one that goes to several places you have on your list, and explore them while you are there for the day / couple of days.

Then can go back next time to the island you liked the look of the most.

Thats what we're planning on doing in the next year or two, take small case for clothes and everything else pretty much supplied, no worrying about anything...

It is a good way to holiday - unpack once, the only thing you have to pay for is drinks. We have done a couple on P&O - my next one will be on another cruise line (though P&O were fine, I just want to try a different one).

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#1322603 11-Jun-2015 09:05

kiwitrc:
joker97: Aitutaki is quite expensive, and adults only

Its not that expensive, but expensive to get to. Its also not adults only.

Interesting! When i tried to book they said adults only

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#1322604 11-Jun-2015 09:06

joker97:
kiwitrc:
joker97: Aitutaki is quite expensive, and adults only

Its not that expensive, but expensive to get to. Its also not adults only.

Interesting! When i tried to book they said adults only

Ok so you are talking about a resort possibly and not the entire Island?

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#1322608 11-Jun-2015 09:08

Resort was advertised as the only resort on the island. I presume if you were to spend a couple of thousands bucks to get there that you'd stay for more than a few hours.

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