Vietnam DVD $19.95 buy now

Thailand, Malaysia & Laos DVD $19.95 buy now

World War II Pacific: Destination Guide

Traveling around the Pacific is a truly unique experience. Not only is it visually stunning, it is also one of the few places on earth where nature still dominates: wide, open skies and turquoise water as far as the eyes can see. Apart from a handful of well known holiday destinations the Pacific Islands receive few visitors and have a true off the beaten path feel, not least because of the explorers and adventurers who’ve made this region their home and are keen to share their tales.

Given its history it comes as no surprise that the Pacific is literally littered with World War II remnants. It appears that after the war it was cheaper to just leave tanks and artillery out to rot rather than to dispose of them, and although a good deal of metal has been scrapped by locals for a bit of cash there are still plenty out there to be discovered.
Much of Papua New Guinea found itself at the geographical heart of the conflict and there’s no getting away from its World War 2 remnants. Poor infrastructure makes for unreliable travel arrangements and basic accommodation, but this also makes for nearly deserted sites. One exception is Rabaul, a city that once known as the pearl of the Pacific, was wiped out by a volcanic eruption in 1994. Today it’s a Mad Max landscape that hides hundreds of kilometres of tunnels built during the war, while dozens of WW2 wrecks have sunk to the bottom of its harbour and can be dived easily.

It’s a long way to travel, but the Marshall Islands’ world class dive sites make up for the journey,

Saipan was one of the last battlefields in the Pacific – and it was here that Japanese women and children jumped to their death to escape the wrath of the enemy at Banzai and Suicide cliff. On neighbouring Tinian it is the atomic bomb pit that once held the Enola Gay before its fateful mission to Hiroshima.

While the Bridge over the River Kwai has turned into a hideous tourist attraction complete with knick knack and ice cream stalls it is still a must see for its truly iconic status. For a better insight into the reality of war visit the Burma-Railway Museum and take a tour into the jungle with Rod Beattie or one of his team.

Must See & Do
Climate
Travel
Globe trekker Itinerary

Practical Info:
Sleep
Eat & Drink
Useful Websites
Useful Books

TV Shows:
Globe Trekker: World War II Pacific
Treks in a Wild World:
World War II Pacific

Photo Gallery: World War II Pacific

Community:
Travel Stories
Photo Galleries

MUST SEE & DO...

1. The Bridge over the River Kwai (although it’s not really the river Kwai and it’s a little touristy)
2. Dive a bomber in Rabaul Harbour
3. Barge Tunnels in Rabaul
4. Tank on Invasion Beach, Saipan
5. Enola Gay Bomb Pit, Tinian
6. Baby Sandy 2, Majuro
7. Prinz Eugen, Kwajalein

BACK TO TOP

CLIMATE:

• When to go: Although the entire Pacific region is hot and humid year round there are still great differences between the individual countries and their climates. It’s best to check in a guidebook that covers the specific place to where you are traveling.

• What to wear: Pacific Islanders are conservative dressers. Skimpy skirts or low cut tops are not appropriate.  Shorts shouldn’t end much above the knees. Natural fibers, such as light cotton and linens, work best.

BACK TO TOP

TRAVEL:

• Getting there: The most difficult to reach destination are the Marshall Islands, reached from the wider world only by Continental Airlines via Honolulu or Guam, from where they connect easily to the Northern Marianas. From here it’s a hop to Manila and then on to the rest of Asia. Papua New Guinea is most easily accessed from Australia, but also connects to Manila, Singapore and Hong Kong with the national airline Air Niugini.

• Getting around: Not surprisingly transport on the islands is quite boat based and collective taxi boats service the most popular routes. You can also hire a boat on your own, but be aware that you will generally have to pay for petrol which might not be freely available.

  
  

BACK TO TOP

GLOBE TREKKER ITINERARY:

The Globetrekker crew went on a mammoth circuit of the Pacific sites that started in the Marshall Islands with a first stop in Majuro from where they took a boat to Mili for some diving. They spent several days in Ebeye, an island just off the military US Army base of Kwajalein from where they dived the Prinz Eugen and learnt about the region’s difficult history in general.

From the Marshall Islands they flew to Saipan, where they explored Japanese War history at Suicide Cliff and visited peace memorials held by the Americans as well as the Japanese. They then took a day trip to Tinian from where the atomic bomb Enola Gay was sent on its fateful mission.

The next stop was Papua New Guinea, where Zay met a local who had dug up various personal belongings of US soldiers, including a number of dog tags. He then dived a Japanese bomber at the bottom of Simpson Harbour, Rabaul a explored a network of Japanese tunnels.

Finally, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand Zay walked on the Bridge over the River Kwai and met the son of one of the POWs who had help build the infamous Death Railway.

BACK TO TOP

PRACTICAL INFO:

• Currency:
  - US Dollars (Marshall Islands, Northern Marians)
  - Baht (Thailand)
  - Kina (Papua New Guinea)

• Language:
  - Marshallese
  - English
  - Thai
  - Pidgin
  - Approximately 800 local languages

• Don't forget to pack:
  - A bikini
  - A snorkel
  - Sun screen
  - Sun hat
  - Mosquito repellent
  - Sea sickness medication
  - A good book, some of those outer islands are pretty quiet

BACK TO TOP

SLEEP

River Kwai Village Resort, Kanchanaburi
Rabaul Hotel, Papua New Guinea
Pacific Islands Club, Northern Marianas
Rre Hotel, Majuro, Marshall Islands
Hotel Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok

BACK TO TOP

EAT & DRINK:

• You’ve probably guessed it, but the best food to eat in the Pacific is seafood. It’s abundant, it’s fresh and in some of these destinations it’s the only option that isn’t a root vegetable (Papua New Guinea) or has been shipped in from the U.S. (the Marshall Islands).

• The Northern Marianas offer a wide choice, orientated along U.S. lines, although the long relationship with Japan mean that the choice in Japanese food is excellent.

BACK TO TOP

USEFUL WEBSITES:

• General
  Pacific Wrecks
  The Pacific
  
  
  
• Tourism Boards
  Marianas Visitor’s Authority
  Marshall Islands Visitor’s Authority
  Thai Tourism Authority
  
  
  
• Marshall Islands
  Visit the Marshall Islands
  Naval History
  Wreck Diving
  
  
  
• Northern Marianas
  My Marianas
  Marianas History
  Political History
  
  
  
• Papua New Guinea
  Rabaul Historical Society
  The Fall of Rabaul
  Papua New Guinea Tourism
  New Ireland Tourism
  
  
  
• Thailand
  The Thailand-Burma Railway Centre
  Visit Thailand
  
  
  

BACK TO TOP