Australasia & Pacific - Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
Messages: 4,600 - Threads: 862
Apr 15, 2013 12:01 PM
vegsabrina
last reply
Apr 21, 2013 10:25 AM
vegsabrina
8 replies
516 views
location:
Fiji
Diving Fiji for Dec holidays - midrange Yasawas, Viti Levu by car?
My husband and I are planning to spend 2 weeks in Fiji for the coming December holidays, one week at a dive-centric hotel somewhere in the Yasawas, 6 nights around the main island.
There are a lot of good reviews for Octopus and Manta Ray resorts, any other suggestions for the Yasawas for a couple seeking to do relaxing and diving, staying in a bure with a private bathroom, around $2000 USD (incl the mandatory meal plans) for a week? We'd prefer something that doesn't have a lot of children if possible, and is vegan-friendly.
We're planning to hire a car to drive around Viti Levu for the first part of our trip, getting in diving and some hikes. Is driving in Fiji difficult? Should we get a 4 wheel drive vehicle? Are there some great hikes or off-the-beaten-path beaches or dive sites we should seek out if we have the freedom of a car? (We're planning to bring our own dive ...
more »
Apr 14, 2013 8:59 AM
arad28
last reply
Apr 23, 2013 5:10 AM
digoebel
5 replies
514 views
location:
Papua New Guinea
solo backpacker in png-some questions
hello evreyone!
i'm planning to arrive to png in the end of this july for 3 weeks and i have a few questions...
1. as a solo backpacker should i be worried?or if i will take majers i'll be ok?
2.i'm planning to land in madang right after port mosrbey,and from there i am not sure...should i go to the islands like new ireland and new britian?or should i continue to the sepik?and in those places there are accomidation for backpackers or that evreything is 50$ plus par night?
3.if i will go the sepik i wanna catch a flight from wewak to hagen for the show,should i book that flight a few months before or can i get there and book it a few days before?
4.how much is a sepik tour for 4 or 5 days cost?
5. in genarlly how much money in us dollars that trip will cost me?including domestic flights...
thank you!
more »
Apr 14, 2013 4:52 AM
Mitch57
last reply
Apr 14, 2013 4:52 AM
Mitch57
0 replies
145 views
location:
Papua New Guinea
PNG Motorcycle license
Hi
Can you ride a motor cycle in PNG on an Australian motor cycle license?
Apr 14, 2013 4:47 AM
Mitch57
last reply
May 12, 2013 1:44 AM
Mitch57
2 replies
252 views
location:
Papua New Guinea
New Britain, Rabaul, Kimbe, Lae north coast by banana boat
Hi
In June I'm travelling to Rabaul to see where my father was during the early stages of WW2. I will need to travel light and flexible.
He earned the military medal as a dispatch rider at Rabaul and then a group of them escaped along the north coast of New Britain and across to Salamaua by canoe and a small 20 foot plantation boat.
I have my tickets to Rabaul and a few nights accommodation booked, after that it will be go as I can.
I want to ride the roads around Rabaul that he rode on. And then catch banana boats as far as I can along the north coast and maybe to the main land?
Does anyone have any experience on hiring a motor bike at Rabaul or Kokopo? (Nothing flash)
Can anyone recommend a local guide for Rabaul?
Does anyone know anything about banana boat travel along the New Britain north coast, prices, how often they run etc?
I’m new to this type of travel but resource...
more »
Apr 13, 2013 9:45 PM
gatulino
last reply
May 9, 2013 4:10 AM
megaadventures
1 replies
219 views
location:
Vanuatu
Cultural experience in Vauatu and Land diving
Dear Fellow travellers,
I´m thinking of going to Vanuatu by the end of April. Basically to wittness the land diving ceremony in Pentecost.
The fact is that I am very interested in Anthropology and would like to focus my trip on a more cultural aspect, with the aim of mingling with the locals, specially were tribes, ceremonies etc are held, and observe all their kastoms and interact, learning from them.
I would appreciate if you could give me some tips of islands or places where i can find all this (even homestays) in Vanuatu, as the trip is so expensive that i wanna make the most out of it, and achieve a great cultural experience (if possible non turisty).
Also How much time would you reccomend to spend in Vanuatu?
Thanks in adavance for the help!
Apr 12, 2013 11:41 AM
travelmaven
last reply
Apr 17, 2013 6:58 PM
conorpr
7 replies
584 views
Need help deciding where to stay in Fiji
I've read the Lonely Planet guide, done research over the Internet, looked at hotel websites, but still having trouble narrowing down places to stay in Fiji. This will be our first visit to Fiji.
There will be two of us traveling, my bf and I. We are mature adults, 50+ years of age, adventurous travellers. WE've ben to places like, SEA, Africa, Hawaii, etc. We are up to pretty much anything.
We will be flying in from LAX and will more than likely stay for about 5-6 days in Fiji before moving on to Vanauatu. WE would like to visit local villages, snorkel, relax and do a little shopping. We like staying in places off the beaten path, but don't want to eat up too much time traveling since we have limited time in Fiji.
I am currently leaning toward spending a few days at a resort along the Coral Coast? Any recommendations?
Should be rent a car to explore the island, or us...
more »
solo backpacker in png
hi!
my name is arad and i am planning to arrive to png this july.
i have a few questions...
1. as a solo backpacker should i be worried?i will propably will start my trip in madang and i heard that she is not safe as she used to be...
2.after madang i wanna go to the sepik or new ireland and new britian?in those places what are the prices for a night and a so called guesthouse?and in the sepik is that ok getting there and finding a guide?because the prices are crazy if i book before....
3.if i wanna fly from wewak to hagen, should i book it before or getting there and book it a few days before is ok?i wanna get to hagen for the show....
4. the weather is good in mline bay in july and august?
5.in genarlly how much will a month in png will cost me as a backpacker?including domestic flights....
Apr 11, 2013 11:31 AM
arad28
last reply
May 16, 2013 6:05 AM
ersamov
3 replies
390 views
location:
Solomon Islands
backpacker in the solomon's
hello!
i am planning to arrive to the solomon islands this august!
i wanted to know if that's ok to travel there as a solo backpacker and how much will a day will cost me there as a backpacker including sleeping and eating?and there are any guesthouse for backpackers in the solomon's?
i dont mind staying with the locals in the villages...
Apr 11, 2013 6:08 AM
bosboy73
last reply
Apr 29, 2013 6:02 PM
bosboy73
2 replies
252 views
location:
Tahiti & French Polynesia
Marquesas
Hello - I am planning to use a Marquesas Pass for a week (7 nights). 2 nights Nuku Hiva, 3 nights Hiva Oa and 1 night each Ua Huka and Ua Pou. Note that most of the inter-island flights operate between 10 AM and 1 PM so that may only give me "2 half days" on Ua Pou and Ua Huka. Example flying into Ua Huka 1PM and leaving the next morning at 10AM.
Is there much to see in Ua Huka or should I spend the extra day in Nuku Hiva or Ua Pou? I'm looking more for scenery than experience.
Thanks
Apr 10, 2013 9:12 PM
oozlumbird
last reply
Apr 11, 2013 1:42 AM
Peter_n_Margaret
1 replies
193 views
Suggestions please - Cheap family holiday
Greetings from the Australian East Coast.
As grand parents we want to join our single son and grand daughter, aged 6, on a one week family holiday during the first week of her Christmas holiday - EARLY December. So please, any suggestions welcome for Pacific Islands - Fiji, New Caledonia etc. but not a cruise!
Any suggested sources of cheap packages also most welcome or cheap airfares , allowing us to independently book an apartment and rental car. We don't really want to be 'stuck' on a resort island but would be happy for a child minding service or other kids for her to play with, plus the options of close by beach and country excursions.
Thanks in advance,
Oozlumbird
Apr 9, 2013 1:19 PM
Takahe
last reply
Apr 19, 2013 12:37 PM
Takahe
4 replies
443 views
location:
Tonga
Real Tonga Airline
Hi folks on the ground in Tonga. I would really appreciate up-to-date info on whether 'Real Tonga' is operating one plane or two as they promised by 1 April. I'm wanting to book flights for June to join a yacht in Vava'u, but I just don't trust the airline. The internet has nothing recent, which makes me suspicious. I know Real Tonga's website lists daily flights, but are they flying?
Apr 9, 2013 4:55 AM
enricof7
last reply
Apr 11, 2013 9:26 PM
gq_dq
4 replies
505 views
location:
Fiji
Fiji Worst Backpacker
My girlfriend and I stayed at the Mana Lagoon Backpackers for a few days around the end of February 2013.
That was the WORST experience of my 4 travels to Fiji in more than 10 different resorts between Mamanucas, Yasawas and Coral Coast.
The Mana Lagoon Backpackers is completely disorganized, rooms are very dirty, roofs are broken with big holes so every time it rains you get wet while you are in bed !!
There's only ONE shower and TWO toilets for the whole resort and both are incredibly DIRTY !! I should have taken pictures of them cause I swear they look like coming out of the Trainspotting movie.
At the time we were there half of the guests were suffering from food poison and the staff didn't care at all. After two days, I started to be very sick with diarrhea and painful cramps in my stomach. I really needed to go to a doctor, but they didn't care. I wanted to leave and go ...
more »
Apr 9, 2013 3:49 AM
liuyung
last reply
Apr 9, 2013 3:49 AM
liuyung
0 replies
125 views
location:
American Samoa
Where to stay?
Hi , we are looking at traveling to Vanuatu in July . Would like to stay at a resort or island that has great snorkeling and also caters for Game Fishing. Any suggestions ???
Apr 8, 2013 12:01 PM
NomadicBrad
last reply
Apr 16, 2013 11:20 PM
donbrisbane
1 replies
266 views
location:
Papua New Guinea
Sepik Crocodile Festival and Wabag Cultural Show Dates/Location
Hi,
I am planning to visit Papua New Guinea between 26 July and 12 August of this year. I would like to attend a festival or two during my stay. I have two specific questions:
(1) According to the cultural events calendar of the Papua New Guinea Official Tourism Website, the Sepik Crocodile Festival will take place on 6 and 7 August. However, the location is posted as Wewak. I thought that the Crocodile Festival was held in Ambunti. Does anybody know if the location has changed? And can anybody confirm if the dates posted on the tourism website are accurate?
(2) Since I will not be able to stay long enough to attend the Mt Hagen show, the Wabag Cultural Show in Enga Province sounds like an interesting runner-up. However, I cannot find anyting on the internet that indicates when it is going to be held, other than a vague "in August". The Tourism Website does not even m...
more »
Apr 7, 2013 10:00 PM
albpavar
last reply
Apr 7, 2013 10:00 PM
albpavar
0 replies
152 views
location:
Tahiti & French Polynesia
Better Fakarava or Mataiva in the Tuamotus?
I will be going to French Polynesia in August, but I will only have time to visit one of the Tuamotu islands, for 3-4 days. I am considering whether to choose Fakarava or Mataiva.
I gather that Fakarava is a sort of paradise, but its attractions all lie very far (several hours by boat) and can only be reached through an organized excursion.
Maitava attracts me because it is small enough to walk or cycle, and one could go around it without necessarily joining an excursion. But I also heard that its lagoon is shallow and murky,and that snorkeling is poor.
Could anyone help me to choose between the two islands? Please consider I do not scuba dive: I plan on snorkeling, enjoying beach life and tropical panoramas.
Thanks
Welcome & Getting Started
Our Community Guidelines and Community FAQs will help you get started.
Businesses and commerical interests please note, this is a strictly no advertising community. Our members do not tolerate solicitation or guerilla marketing, and accounts are for individual travellers only.
Email: community@lonelyplanet.com with feedback or questions.
Featured Threads on This Branch
• South Pacific FAQs
• Birding & snorkeling in PNG
• Tonga trip report
• Budget air fares in the South Pacific?
• Fiji ferries
Nominate the best threads in this branch by clicking on the heart icon in any thread and we'll feature them here or on our Community Blog.
Join us on Facebook & Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @lonelyplanet for the best in travel tips and inspiration.
If you’re on Twitter, tag your travel related tips with #lp and we’ll share the best of them with our community of followers.
Hotels & Hostels
Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.