Persephone

Well, me and Mr S are thinking about having a few days on a Pacific island in the next couple of months. Just looking for any advice really.

Firstly, as cheap as possible- So thinking probably Samoa or FijiUnless anyone has any other cheap ideas!

Secondly we'd prefer somewhere that has stuff to do other than just lie on a beach, we're not into diving but snorkelling could be good [I assume that's good anywhere] . Maybe places we could go walking or climbing volcanoes?? We're not really into the beach bum kind of thing, we both get bored very easily. I'd rather lie around my own house doing nothing than pay to lie on a beach... Is there an island where it is worth hiring a car in order to explore?

Thirdly, has anyone done this independently or it is generally cheaper to book a package, flight and hotel? We're more used to booking on our own and not going for a complete deal.

Fourthly, any good websites? Already looked at Expedia, House of Travel and Flightcentre but if anyone has any they've used before and can recommend it would be much appreciated..

Fifthly [is that a word??] Or should we just go to Aus...

pixi-dust

We went to Tonga last year and had an absolute ball. We did all the booking ourselves and it all worked out great. Tonga is not luxury holiday but it sure is fun!
We Stayed on Nuku'alofa for a few days and hired a car and explored and also Eua for a few days - not really a holiday destination and pretty basic - but whale watching... and mega 4 wheel drives through the island. And amazing snorkelling. It was definitely a doing stuff holiday rather than a lazing on the beach one.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...ighlight=tonga

is a thread about our trip with some pics.

Friends of ours go to Fiji, but they go to lie on the beach for a week!

We were going to go back to Tonga this year as we loved it so much but thought we should try some other places too, so are going to Rarotonga on 3 weeks - this time we booked it through an agent - South Pacific Holidays, I think - they've been excellent.

Persephone

Thanks Pixidust,
Will have a look at Tonga, we are definitely wanting to do 'stuff' rather than lie on the beach all day so that looks promising. And I do want to go whale watching. Those pictures look amazing.
Not a problem about Tonga not being luxury, it certainly isn't what we're used to from a holiday Besides both of us would take fun over luxury any day

MnB

Raro .....mmmmmm bliss!!
We booked 8 nights independantly, stayed at Kura's Kabanas, basic but clean, owners lovely. If you check out their web site you'll see they also rent out some properties slightly inland....the 'villa' on the hill is good, not quite so basic as Kabanas, owner of KK manages it for her brother, she saw us passing and invited us in to have a look.
We just googled Rarotonga Accom, good choice to suit all budgets. Small island....hired a car for a day otherwise walked but bus service is good if too hot / humid.
We found eating out ( only ate out once!) & wine (NZ wine $25 a bottle, found a bottle of Chilean wine for $12 in big supermarket) a bit expensive ...over priced, so self catered ....interesting given limited choice in small village shops

B x

pixi-dust

we're self catering too - heard there is a good market on Saturdays?

MnB

We heard the same but didn't actually get to it think you need to get an early bus to catch the bargains. Def worth visiting the bigger supermarkets near the harbour in town tho...better prices and more choice, thats where we found Chilean wine at $12 a bottle. The village shops are quite limited, worth taking some pkt sauce mixes, pasta, tinned tuna (if you eat it!) & tinned toms ....oh and duty free alcohol if you get the chance!
Enjoy!!!
B x

NZBee

I would recommend Raro as well.....and you can bring in wine duty free from NZ. We actually brought in a chilly bin of food, as we stayed in self catering, which cut down costs. And it was so much fun hiring mopeds and whipping around the island everyday.....you do have to pass a test when you are there though, but the Raro driving license is a great souvenir!

Expat Kiwi

It may help the OP if some of you will put a $ figure on these PI holidays?

MnB

We stopped over on our way back to UK, on a one way ticket, so flight price probably wouldn't be much help.....and I can't remember it! Our self catering accom at Kura's Kabanas was $160 per night, this was a discounted rate for 8 nights plus $80 for our last day with a late checkout at 12mn. The one meal we ate out cost $100, this was for 2 x slices of Garlic bread; 1x chicken portion, rice & small amount of veg; 1 x disappointing fish portion with small amount of potatoes & veg; 2 x small beers & 2 x small glasses of wine.
If you're going for a holiday rather than a stop over/holiday I would def take advice of OP and take a chilly bin full of food & duty free wine, I can't remember exactly how much we spent overall but I do remember how expensive the wine was and the limited selection & high cost of basic foods.
Having said all that we loved the island and hope to return.....one day
HTH
B x

Persephone

Thanks everyone, looks like we'll be taking some wine/beer and tinned food with us... Now just how much is the baggage allowance again...

Still haven't decided yet but are veering towards Rarotonga now. It'll be a different destination next week the way we're going...

alchris

lucky you, sounds very exciting!