Destination: South Pacific

Interview Subject: David Stanley, author & South Pacific expert

Today Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel and regular contributor to Lovetripper.com, is pleased to have as a guest well-known author, travel writer and expert on the South Pacific, David Stanley. David is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific.

NORM: Please tell our readers something about yourself, your expertise and the books you have authored pertaining to the South Pacific.

David: I've earned a living from travel guidebooks since 1979, when Moon Publications of Rutland published the 1st edition of South Pacific Handbook.

In November 2004, Avalon Travel Publishing of Emeryville, California, brought out the 8th edition of Moon Handbooks South Pacific. I've also written Lonely Planet guides to Eastern Europe, Cuba, and Canada's Maritime Provinces.

Lately I've been exploiting the power of the Internet with sites like Southpacific.org, MapSouthPacific.com, and Cuba-Pictures.com.

NORM: When we talk about the South Pacific what exactly are we referring to and where is it situated in relation to the USA or Canada?

David: The "South Pacific" brochures printed by tour operators often focus on Australia and New Zealand, but those countries are quite different from the tropical Pacific islands. Moon Handbooks South Pacific covers 15 insular countries and territories from Easter Island to the Solomons. People tend to consider this region remote, yet it takes only two hours longer to fly from Los Angeles to Tahiti than it does to fly to Honolulu. Fiji is midway between Hawaii and New Zealand, to the west of Tahiti.

NORM: Would you consider the South Pacific a good choice for a romantic getaway or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?

David: All of the main South Pacific destinations have attempted to market themselves as wedding or honeymoon destinations. Fiji and the Cook Islands have been the most successful as weddings can be arranged locally with little fuss.

In French Polynesia, marriages can only be performed for persons with 30-day residency, which excludes most tourists. Instead, French Polynesia has developed an active honeymoon industry with Bora Bora highly favored by bridal magazine writers who enjoyed the hospitality of luxury resorts. In my opinion, Moorea is Bora Bora's equal in all but name and is far less expensive. For a romantic getaway, I recommend Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. There is a lot to see and do within a compact area, and prices are fair.

NORM:  How safe is travel to the South Pacific?

David: Very safe. "Terrorists" would stand out like sore thumbs on these small islands. Violent crime (muggings, etc) is almost unknown, but petty theft does occur. Nothing will go astray if a few simple precautions are taken. Contrary to the image fostered by Hollywood and in the tourism brochures, the island societies are socially conservative and scanty dress is frowned upon. Women traveling alone should avoid staying in isolated bungalows or wandering off on
deserted beaches.

NORM: What is the best time to visit the South Pacific from the point of view of weather, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the USA, Canada and Europe?

David: Officially, the hurricane season in the South Pacific is from December to April, although with global warming it's starting earlier and ending later.

Winter (May to October) is generally cooler, drier, and less humid throughout the region, the best time to go. May to August is the off-season in Australia and New Zealand; hence Air New Zealand's low season South Pacific airfares apply those months. So by a happy coincidence, you can enjoy the best weather for the lowest price if you schedule your trip at that time.

NORM: Could you give our readers an idea of the costs involved if travel originates from the USA or Canada and how accessible is it to fly to the South Pacific?

David: One-month roundtrip airfares from Los Angeles or Vancouver to Tahiti, Rarotonga, or Fiji start around US$1,250 in the low season, provided you book at least 14 days in advance and are willing to accept a 35% cancellation fee. If you fly on shorter notice during the high season (December to February), you'll pay around US$2,000. The weekend travel sections of major newspapers carry ads for discounted fares, and websites sometimes sell tickets for considerably less than the prices quoted by airline agents over the phone.

For example, I recently flew from Vancouver to American Samoa for US$700 roundtrip on an Internet special. Such offers are routinely announced in the newsletter of the South Pacific Tourism Organization, available at South Pacific Tourism Organization.

NORM: If you had to choose six unequalled venues in the South Pacific for a romantic getaway, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?

David: My first choice would be:

• Tahiti and its neighbours Moorea and Bora Bora. The soaring green peaks and brilliant reefs of these islands are unsurpassed, and the "exotic" French atmosphere combines well with the charm of Polynesia.
  
• Fiji is a very close second for its stunning variety and friendliness.
• Then there's Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. This is long a favorite holiday destination for New Zealanders. Rarotonga is small enough to explore in a week, and the facilities are excellent.
• My fourth choice is Easter Island. Although for those into hiking or archaeology, it should come first. Travel agents often book three-night stopovers on Easter Island, but only the highlights can be seen during such a short stay.
•  Finally, I should mention Vanuatu for those looking for something really different. This little known Melanesian country offers a colorful mix of scuba diving, tribal culture, active volcanoes, and the South Pacific's most beautiful capital city, Port Vila.  
  

NORM: What resources are available on the Internet pertaining to weddings and honeymoon vacations in the South Pacific?

David: Obtaining independent information on weddings and honeymoons isn't easy as resort and tour company websites only promote their own products. That said, Honeymoon Fiji and Honeymoon Vanuatu are worth a look, and Travel Maxia is useful in that it covers the entire South Pacific. It's also well worth perusing the official tourism websites of the island visitors bureaus, all of which are linked to SouthPacific.org.

NORM:  Is there anything else you would like to add that we have not covered pertaining to the South Pacific?

David: The South Pacific should be recognized as a straightforward, trouble- free destination. None of the countries included in my book require visas of North Americans, Europeans, Australians, New Zealanders, or Japanese.

Obstacles like erratic pricing, corrupt officials, violent crime, and security glitches are generally absent here. This sprawling region is best characterised by its amazing variety, with many distinct cultures, cuisines, histories, and environments to experience and enjoy. At US$24.95, Moon Handbooks South Pacific has the potential to save vacationers hundreds of dollars, while assisting them in making the best choices. It's all in there.