Pacific Journeys: Santiago to Pitcairn & Tonga to New Caledonia

NEW CALEDONIA

Supported by the French government and its plentiful nickel New Caledonia thrives. From open plains with cattle ranches, on the main island’s west coast to the lush tropical forests on the east and many idyllic uninhabited islands all around it has something for everyone. TAHITI Although it is harder to flee the tourists in Tahiti there are many secret places to be found and if you do want a hotel there are some splendid ones on perfect beaches with every facility to meet your hearts desires.

EASTER ISLAND

The most remote inhabited island in the world and famous for the huge and majestic moai that dominate the landscape this should definitely be included in your Where to go Before you Die list. Rugged and windy it is very different from other more tropical Polonesian islands.

NORFOLK ISLAND

Only 8×5 kilometers the friendly locals keep this tiny island in pristine condition, limiting tourists and cars to ensure its rare beauty remains undamaged. There is lots to do and lots to learn about the Bounty mutineers who came here and the horrors of the prison that destroyed so many lives. A lovely and fascinating place. PITCAIRN The last remaining British overseas territory in the Pacific perhaps the most amazing thing about Pitcairn is the journey to get there. A 4 hour flight from Tahiti to Mangareva in the Gambier Islands, then a 32 hour trip on a cargo boat and finally a very scary transfer on rough water to a long boat which will take you to the wonderful reception on the island. There are no hotels but all the islanders open their homes to visitors and include meals in the price.

 

Useful Info

Getting There:

While it is easy to fly from the US, New Zealand or Australia to anywhere in the Pacific it is not always easy to fly within the Pacific.  Often this entails going via NZ or Australia so plan your trip carefully.

Getting Around:

Public transport is pretty rare in the Pacific.  In many places there just isn’t any so you will need to take taxis which are hard to find away from hotels/resorts.  So – hire a car or, even better, a bike.  Luckily most hotels will collect you from the airport but some charge quite a lot so check first.  There are plenty of taxis at most airports.

Currency:

• Fiji dollar – fjd
• Tahiti & New Caledonia – Pacific franc – xpf
• Tonga – Tongan Pa’anga – T$
• Norfolk Island – NZ dollar – NZ$
• Pitcairn Islands – NZ dollar – NZ$
• Easter Island – Chilean peso – clp

Language:

• Tahiti & New Caledonia – own languages but most people speak some French
• Norfolk Island and Pitcairn – English
• Tonga – Tongan and some English and French
• Fiji – Fijian and lots of people speak English in main towns
• Easter Island – Spanish and local dialect

Dress:

Casual dress is de rigour over all the Pacific.  However, many of the women still wear ‘missionary dresses’ which leave everything to the imagination so in areas away from tourism it is necessary to wear demure clothing. In some villages in Fiji a sarong must be worn by both men and women.

Must See’s and Do’s

1. Explore Easter Island
2. Whale watching – Tonga
3. Trekking – New Caledonia
4. Basking in Paradise – Fijian island
5. Make sure you try the local fish! Staple foods are yam, cassava and sweet potatoes which are somewhat bland without the addition of meat or fish.  Most places serve westernised foods and the fresh fish is really wonderful.  Lots of raw tuna in New Caledonia and Tahiti where all the food is quite expensive.
6. Bring a few trinkets home with you!  Shell jewellery, carvings, kava bowls and beautiful black pearls are all readily available over most of the Pacific.

Don’t Forget to Pack:

1. sun cream
2. sarong
3. maps
4. ‘demure’ clothes