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by Kim Smith

Trip to South Pacific

 Today, Norm Goldman, Editor Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.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.

Good day David and thank you for accepting our invitation for an interview.

NORM:

Please tell our readers something about yourself, your knowledge and

Books by You relating to the South Pacific.

David:

I have received from the life of travel guidebooks since 1979, when Moon Publications Rutland published the 1 st edition of South Pacific Handbook.

In November 2004, Avalon Travel Publishing Emeryville,

California, took in the 8 th edition of Moon Handbooks South Pacific. I have also written Lonely Planet guides to Eastern Europe, Cuba and Canada’s Maritime provinces. Recently I have been using the Internet site, as South PACIFIC.ORG: Map of South Pacific and

CUBA PICTURES.

NORM:

When we speak of the South Pacific what we see and where it is located relative to the U.S. or Canada?

David:

“South Pacific” brochures printed tour operators often focus on Australia and New Zealand, but those countries are very different from the tropical Pacific islands. Moon Handbooks South Pacific covers 15 island countries and territories from Easter Island to Solomon. People tend to think back to the area, but it only takes two hours longer to fly from Los Angeles to Tahiti than to fly to Honolulu. Fiji is midway between Hawaii and New Zealand, west of Tahiti.

NORM:

Do you think in the South Pacific a good choice for a romantic vacation or wedding and honeymoon destination? Why?

David:

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

In French Polynesia, marriages can be performed only for those with a 30 day stay, which excludes most tourists. Instead, French Polynesia has developed an active honeymoon industry Bora Bora is a wedding favor magazine writers who enjoyed the hospitality of luxury resorts. In my opinion,

Moorea is Bora Bora equal in all but name, and is much cheaper. For a romantic holiday, I recommend Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. There is much to see and do in a compact area, but the prices are fair.

NORM:

What is the best time to visit the South Pacific in terms of weather conditions, costs, crowds, and the availability of flights from the U.S., Canada and Europe?

David:

Officially, hurricane season in the South Pacific during the period from December to April, but global warming is beginning earlier and ending later. Winter (May to October) as a refrigerator, hair dryer, and to a lesser extent in the humid regions, the best time to go. May to August, the season in Australia

and New Zealand, so the air in New Zealand South Pacific Season tickets apply these months. So on a fluke, you can enjoy the best weather for the low price, if you schedule your trip at this time.

NORM:

Is it safe to travel in the South Pacific?

David:

Very safe. “Terrorists” would stand out like a sore fingers on these small islands. Violent crime (muggings, etc) is almost unknown, but petty theft has occurred. Nothing will go astray if some simple precautions. In contrast to the images through Hollywood, and in tourist brochures, the island

societies are socially conservative and scanty dress with disapproval. Women traveling alone should avoid staying in separate bungalows or wandering Off on deserted beaches.

NORM:

Could you give our readers a picture of the costs involved if travel originates from the U.S. or Canada, and is available to fly to the South Pacific?

David:

One month of air travel there from Los Angeles or Vancouver to Tahiti, Rarotonga, or Fiji start around US $ 1250 in low season, provided that you book at least 14 days before and are ready to take 35 percent of the abolition of fees. If you fly on short notice during the season (December to February), you’ll pay about $ 2000. Weekend travel sections of major newspapers carry ads for discounted fares, and websites sometimes sell tickets is much lower than the price of airline agents over the phone.

For example, I recently flew from Vancouver to American Samoa for the US $ 700 there on a special Internet. Such proposals are usually announced in the bulletin South Pacific Tourism Organization, in SOUTH PACIFIC Tourism Organization.

NORM:

If you had to choose 6 equal seats in the South Pacific for a romantic holiday, honeymoon or wedding destination, what would they be and why?

David:

My first choice would be:

Tahiti and its neighbors, Moorea and Bora Bora.

Rostom green peaks and brilliant reefs of these islands are unsurpassed, and “exotic” French atmosphere combines well with the charm of Polynesia.

Fiji is located in close proximity to the second of its stunning variety and convenience.

Then in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.

It has long been a favorite vacation spot for residents of New Zealand. Rarotonga is small enough to explore in a week, as well as the facilities are excellent.

My fourth choice of Easter. While for those on foot, and archeology, it must come first. Travel agents often book three-night stop on Easter Island, but stresses it is possible to see in such a short stay.

Finally, I must say, Vanuatu, for those looking for something really different. This little known Melanesian country offers a colorful mix of scuba diving, tribal culture, active volcanoes, as well as in the South Pacific, the most beautiful capitals,

? Movie “South Pacific” (1959, US) Director : Joshua Logan Starring : Rossano Brazzi, Mitzi Gaynor Music : Richard Rogers ? Song “Some Enchanted Evening” Some enchanted evening, you may see a stranger You may see a stranger across a crowded room And somehow you know, you know even then That somewhere you’ll see her again and again Some enchanted evening someone may be laughing You may hear her laughing across a crowded room And night after night as strange as it seems The sound of her laughter will sing in your dreams Who can explain it? Who can tell you why? Fools give you reasons, wise men never try Some enchanted evening, when you find your true love When you feel her call you across a crowded room Then fly to her side and make her your own Or all through your life you may dream all alone Once you have found her, never let her go Once you have found her, never let her go

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