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Day 1 - Sydney - Norfolk Island
Our adventure begins with an early morning departure from Sydney,
destination the former penal colony of Norfolk Island. After clearing
customs the remainder of the day is free to relax. Castaway Resort (BLD)
Day 2 - Norfolk Island
The day is spent touring the island, visiting the colonial sites
and areas of great natural beauty. Castaway Resort (BLD)
Day 3 - Norfolk Island - Noumea
The morning begins with a flight northwards to a part of France
in the Pacific, New Caledonia. Upon arrival at Tontouta Airport we
clear customs then join our guide for the drive into Noumea. The
remainder of the day is free to explore the many shops. After dinner
we suggest you take time to wonder around the town with a visit to
the “Casino Royale” situated in the Roche’a’ia
voile. Le Paris Hotel (BLD)
Day 4 - Noumea
The tour today will be along the west coast of New Caledonia
and inland. It will include visits to three local villages,
deer and cattle farms, a nickel mine and scenic locations such as Col
de Nassirah. Overall this tour provides an insight into New
Caledonia’s
rich and varied culture. Le Paris Hotel (BLD)
Day 5 - Noumea - Vanuatu
By contrast today’s destinations is a mix of French and English
culture. Vanuatu was formerly a French and British condominium known
as the New Hebrides. Our landing point is Port Vila, on the island
of Efate. After clearing customs, we have lunch at one of the many
delightful cafes that are so popular at Port Vila. The afternoon sees
us touring the township and local district, of special interest is
Cultural Centre and Museum. Here we obtain some insight into how this
island group evolved. If modern arts is more your forte, you will enjoy
the visit to the “Michoutchkline and Pikolo” art gallery.
Additionally, the Acropora coral museum is another port of call. The
evening is free to wonder around Port Vila to absorb the Anglo-Franco
atmosphere mixed with a special blend of “Ni Vanuatu” Le
Meridien (BLD)
Day 6 - Port Vila
There is a lot more to Efate than Port Vila and the best way
to see it is on a “round the island” tour. The first
stop is Eton Beach and then on to Takara for lunch. We call into
Siri village where the children “magically” beat the
earth to light the inside of a giant cavern. A few miles further
on is Havannah Harbour where the entire fifth fleet was stationed
during World War II. From Klem’s Hill we have a magnificent
view of Mele Bay, with Port Vila as a back drop. Nearby are the Mele’s
Cascade where spring water flows all year round. Le Meridien (BLD)
Day 7 - Port Vila - Espiritu Santo
After a short flight notrh we land at Espiritu Santo. It was
here that James A Mitchener spent much of the war, and used his experiences
to base his book “Tales of the South Pacific”. The day
is free to explore or simply relax and enjoy the magnificent scenery.
For those that are keen scuba divers it is possible to arrange a
diving expedition. Bokissa Island (BLD)
Day 8 - Espiritu Santo
Our tour today takes in the Vatthe Conservation Area, renowned
for its nature walks and bird watching, as well as “million
dollar point” where the US military dumped surplus equipment
immediately at the end of WWII. Bokissa Island (BLD)
Day 9 - Santo - Port Vila - Nadi - Suva
The flight today is due east to the Fiji Islands. After landing
and completion of customs and immigration procedures at Nadi we re-board
the aircraft for the short flight across the main island of Viti
Levu to Nausori Airport near Suva. The remainder of the afternoon
is free to wander around downtown Suva. We would suggest a visit
to Cummings Street where there are a myriad of small retail stores
selling everything from cameras, tape recorders to clothes and shoes.
Raffles Tradewinds Hotel (BLD)
Day 10 - Suva
This morning we take the scenic drive from Suva to the little
rice town of Navua. Here we board the water taxi for the ride along
the Navua River to the Namosi Rainforest with its towering trees
and cascading waterfalls. As part of the day’s activities we
witness and participate in a kava ceremony, after which we enjoy
a typical Fijian feast for lunch, prepared by local villagers. During
the afternoon we visit the Fijian Museum where we are given an insight
into the culture and history of the Fijian Islands. For those who
feel energetic, we would suggest a visit to the Rockefeller’s
or Lucky Eddie’s as both Night Clubs have a side to the local
culture that will amaze you. Raffles Tradewinds Hotel (BLD)
Day 11 - Suva - Wallis Island - Apia
Upon clearing customs at Nausori Airport we now head deep into
the Pacific and remote French overseas territory of
Wallis Island to refuel before continuing on to Apia, capitol of Samoa. If
you
have ever pictured the Pacific Islanders as having
a carefree existence, then surely Western Samoa will confirm such thoughts.
Ruled by the
Germans from 1889 until World War I, their influence
may still be seen by the orderly way in which the palm trees are plated in
straight
rows throughout the island. Apia has the appearance
of a slightly dilapidated South Sea town with its clapboard stores and government
buildings, although several modern buildings have been
erected within
the past 10 years. Even so, it exhibits a charm that
will have you entranced. Our accommodation is at the famous Aggie Grey’s
Hotel. Made famous by its namesake, the hotel is the epitome of Somerset
Maugham’s description of the grand hotels of the Pacific. It
was thought that it was here James A Mitchener used Aggie Grey as
the basis for the character of Bloody Mary in his book “Tales
of the South Pacific ”. Aggie Grey’s
Hotel (BLD)
Day 12 - Apia
Our tour today commences with a walk along the “track of loving
hearts” to the grave site of the writer Robert Louis Stevenson
who was known as Tulsitala or storyteller. For the rest of the day
we journey around the island, stopping off at small villages where
you are able to see Polynesia relatively unchanged from the days before
European settlement. Of particular interest is “Vailima”,
Stevenson’s palatial home and Tiavi Falls with its 300ft drop.
Aggie Grey ’s Hotel (BLD)
Day 13 - Apia
The day is free to enjoy the laid back lifestyle of Samoa. Aggie
Grey ’s Hotel (BLD)
Day 14 - Apia - Pago Pago
You will notice a contrasting lifestyle between Western Samoa
and American Samoa. In contrast to Western Samoa, this Samoa is bustling
with its “Americanised” ways. It is really surprising
to see a typical Samoan speaking with an American accent. Upon arrival
we travel the 15km ride along the rocky coastline past Blout’s
Point to reach Pago Pago. Across the bay is Tutuila, a small island
that rivals splendour of Bora Bora or Moorea. After touring the main
center we then complete a circuit of the island stopping at various
outlying villages. Of particular is a visit to the Jean P Haydon
Museum to see exhibits of the Samoan culture both past and present.
Quality Inn Tradewinds (BLD)
Day 15 - Pago Pago - Vau’au
After flying half way across the Pacific, our destination today
is absolutely spectacular. Situated 110kms north of Tonga, the island
group of Vau’au has one of the most beautiful harbours in the
Pacific. Our accommodation lies at the harbour head with jungle clad
Mt Talau as a backdrop. Tongan Beach Resort (BLD)
Day 16 - Vau’au
Today we spend most of our time relaxing with a cruise on the
harbour and a short tour around some of the highlights of this natural
wonderland.
Tongan Beach Resort (BLD)
Day 17 - Vau’au - Nuie Island
Today we continue the journey eastwards heading to Nuie Island.
Reputed to be the “World’s largest upraised coral atoll.
Nuie has some spectacular scenery from the rugged and rocky coastline
to the dense forest of the island’s centre. Like Wallis Island,
Nuie exhibits some remarkable charm simply because its not on the “tourist
track”. We spend the day exploring the islands
with our local guide. Matavi Resort (BLD)
Day 19 - Raratonga
Today we explore the main island with a drive around its perimeter
stopping at some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever experience.
The one thing you will quickly notice is that time seems to stand
still and that these islands work on the principal of dreamy co-existence
with nature.
Edgewater Resort (BLD)
Day 20 - Raratonga - Aitutaki
Past travellers used to say that a visit to the Pacific is never
complete without including Aitutaki. It was here that the famous
TEAL (now New Zealand) flying boats used to land in the protected
lagoon. We have arranged for our passengers to do absolutely nothing
here except enjoy the ambience of the location and its people. Edgewater
Resort (BLD)
Day 21 - Raratonga
The day is free to enjoy and explore. Edgewater Resort (BLD)
Day 22 - Raratonga - Auckland - Sydney
This evening we commence the journey howeward bound when we board
Air New Zealand flight from Raratonga to Auckland and then homeward
bound. For those passengers that wish to extend their holiday we
have a number of options in New Zealand available.
NOTE
This tour also operates in reverse.
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