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Want to indulge in an island getaway with great diving and snorkeling, hosted by the world’s friendliest people?
Then Fiji is for you. Can’t get enough of powdery white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons teeming with tropical
fish? Try a stopover in Tahiti! Looking for a remote island paradise, discovered by few tourists? The Cook Islands
are the perfect choice. How about an adventure to a land untouched by time, with countless anthropological
adventures awaiting your discovery? That’s Papua New Guinea.
Fiji
 A thatch-roofed bure nestled under a fringed coconut palm,
beside a coral-filled sea, and the warm welcome of the Fijian
people will transport you to a simpler time.
 Stroll through a garden of exquisite orchids, explore the shops
of Nadi town, take a romantic horseback ride along a sandy stretch
of beach, snorkel and dive some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs,
savor gourmet cuisine with a wide range of cultural influences, or simply
view the spectacular South Seas sunsets. Adults and children of all ages
will enjoy this tropical getaway. The friendliest islands in the South
Pacific invite you to indulge yourself in paradise and create memories
that will last a lifetime!
Size, Location, Population: Fiji comprises about 300 islands dotted across 200,000 square miles of ocean, 3,000 miles southwest of Hawaii. The main island is Viti Levu. The population, which numbers around 775,000, is 50% Fijian (Melanesian), 46% Indian, and 4% other races.
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time + 21 hours (+20 hours during Pacific Daylight Time).
Entry Formalities: You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Fiji. Visas are not required for US citizens staying less than 30 days.
Currency: Fijian dollar. Decimal currency system. Notes: $20, $10, $5, $2 and $1. Coins of 50?, 20?, 10?, 5?, 2? and 1?.
Bank Hours: Normal banking hours are Monday to Thursday, 9:30am-3pm, with late closing on Fridays at 4pm.
Departure Tax: Included in your international airline ticket.
Electricity: 240 volts, AC 50 cycles. Most hotels have 110V converters for electric razors. You will need a converter/adapter kit for all other appliances.
Language: Fiji has three official languages - English, Fijian and Hindi.
Shopping: Shopping hours are Monday to Friday 8am-4:30pm. Saturdays from 8:30am-12 noon. Since the end of World War II, Fiji has developed as a duty free shopping center. Bargaining is still conducted in some of the duty free shops, but the larger stores have fixed prices.
Tipping: Tipping is not compulsory. Small tips can be given for outstanding service.
Climate: Tropical. In December, January and February, it is hot and humid. In May, June and July, hot and cooled by southeast trade winds in the evenings. Pleasantly tropical the rest of the year. The main island of Viti Levu is bisected by a range of mountains which dramatically affect the weather - the western side of the island receives 60 inches of rain a year, while the eastern side receives 115!
Food: Fijian cuisine relies heavily on seafood, often cooked in lolo (coconut milk), pork, chicken and root vegetables (dalo and tapioca). Food is usually steamed or boiled rather than fried. Indian curries are excellent and are served mild to very, very hot. Fiji offers an excellent choice of fresh fruit - papaya, pineapple, banana, guava, passionfruit, avocado and coconut. Restaurants and cafes offer Chinese, Indian, French, Fijian, Japanese and European dishes.
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French Polynesia (Tahiti)
 Bask in the warmth of a secluded, sugar-white beach. Explore
lagoons of breathtaking clarity, their waters teeming with
rainbows of tropical fish.
 In Papeete, you’ll find a modern, bustling port, with
shopping ranging from black pearl boutiques to island handicrafts
to the latest in French fashions. Sip a drink and people-watch
at a sidewalk café, or savor the delicate flavors of
French cuisine. On Moorea, jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading
waterfalls and breathtaking bays make a stunning backdrop
for your tropical adventure. Bora Bora has been called the
most beautiful island in the world. Its lagoon, a haven for
watersports, ranges from palest turquoise to deepest blue.
Paradise found!
Size, Location, Population: 118 islands cover an area the size of Europe, yet with a land mass of only 1,550 square miles, one fourth of which is the most famous island, Tahiti. Located midway between California (4,000 miles) and Australia 3,300 miles), French Polynesia has a population of 89,000, 70% of whom live on Tahiti. The best-known and most frequently visited islands are the Society Island chain: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Tahaa; and the Tuamotu Archipelago: Rangiroa and Manihi.
Time Zone: Two hours behind Pacific Standard Time, the same as Hawaii (Three hours behind during Pacific Daylight Time).
Entry Formalities: Onward ticket and passport valid for six months from date of departure from French Polynesia. Visas are not required for US citizens.
Currency: French Pacific franc (CFP).
Bank Hours: Banks are open 8am-3:30pm Monday to Friday. Some banks are open on Saturdays 7:45am- 11:30am. There is a currency exchange counter at Faaa International Airport. Generally, a higher rate of exchange is given for travelers checks than for cash. Exchange rates are better at banks than hotels, although US currency is accepted in most hotels, restaurants and other large establishments.
Departure Tax: None.
Electricity: Either 110V or 220V, AC 60 cycles, depending on the hotel. Please check before using any appliance.
Language: The official languages are Tahitian and French. English is spoken in most tourist locales.
Shopping: Shops usually open about 8am and close at 5:30pm (noon on Saturday), but there is always a long lunch hour, the extreme limits being from 11am to 2pm. French Polynesia is home to the famous black pearl, but less expensive souvenirs can be found in colorful pareo (wraparound garment), shell crafts, baskets, wood carvings and vanilla beans. While in Papeete, be sure to visit the colorful marketplace.
Tipping: Tipping is not the general custom in Tahiti.
Climate: Cooled by the gentle breezes of the Pacific, the climate is sunny and pleasant. Roughly speaking, there are two seasons: from December to February the climate is warm and humid; from March through November it is cooler and drier. Temperatures average 79 degrees F. Most of the rain falls during the warm season.
Food: Most tourist hotels have restaurants. In Papeete and around Tahiti, there are also a number of excellent restaurants offering a wide variety of French, Italian, American, Chinese, Vietnamese and Polynesian dishes. There are several restaurants on Moorea, and a few on Bora Bora. On the outer islands, meals are taken at the hotels.
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Cook Islands
 The beauty and charm of the Cook Islands is matched only
by the warmth and spontaneous hospitality of the locals. The
culture is expressed through music and dance, and the islanders
take great pride in traditional songs, Sunday hymns, and the
distinctive crafts which exist in their day-to-day lives.
 Rarotonga is the largest of the fifteen islands, with white
sand beaches and a high mountainous interior, encircled by
a protective reef and lagoon. Partly volcanic and partly atoll,
Aitutaki boasts a crystal clear turquoise lagoon and white
sand beaches ... perfect for watersports. Leave the crowds
behind, and enjoy a truly unique island getaway.
Size, Location, Population: Fifteen atolls and high islands scattered across more than a million square miles of ocean, the Cook Islands lie virtually in the center of the Polynesian triangle, flanked to the west by Tonga and the Samoas, to the east by French Polynesia. Over half the population of 20,000 live on the main island of Rarotonga.
Time Zone: The Cook Islands are in the same time zone as Hawaii, two hours behind Pacific Standard Time (Three hours behind during Pacific Daylight Time).
Entry Formalities: Valid passport. No visa is required for US citizens for stays of less than 30 days.
Currency: The unit of currency is the same as the New Zealand dollar, supplemented by coinage for local use. The dollar coin is popular with collectors. Local coins and notes are not negotiable outside the Cook Islands.
Bank Hours: Banks on Rarotonga are open 9am-3pm, Monday to Friday. Banking facilities are available at the international airport one hour prior to flight departures. Hotels and larger stores will exchange travelers checks and major currencies.
Departure Tax: NZ$30 per adult, NZ$15 per child 2-12.
Electricity: 240V, DC 50 cycle, as in New Zealand and Australia, however, a 2-pin adapter may be required. Some hotels have provision for 110V AC electric razors.
Language: Cook Islands Maori is the local language, and English is the official language.
Shopping: Store hours in Rarotonga are usually 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-12 noon on Saturday. There are several duty free shops in Rarotonga. The Women's Development Center generally has the lowest prices for crafts such as grass skirts, baskets, dancing shakers, and pandanus hats. Other souvenir items are tivaevae quilts, teak or tamanu (mahogany) carvings and mother-of-pearl jewelry.
Tipping: Tipping is not the custom, as tradition has it that one gift must be reciprocated with another.
Climate: Pleasantly warm and sunny year 'round. June to August are the cooler months. November through March is the hottest season, with some heavier rain. Average temperatures range 77 degrees F-84 degrees F.
Food: Food selection in Rarotonga's restaurants and hotels ranges from fine Continental cuisine, through to family favorites, Chinese, Indian, Italian, Asian, seafood and steaks. Special 'island night' shows feature traditional umukai feasts with Maori food cooked island-style in an underground oven.
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Papua New Guinea
 Enter a land where stone-age culture exists just a few steps
from the modern world. Amid a rugged landscape of rainforests,
waterfalls, and jagged mountains, you’ll find ancient
civilizations rich with tradition.
 Costumes of colorful feathers, body paint, shell ornaments,
mud masks, elaborate wigs, and woven grasses provide endless
contrasts for the photographer. Spirit houses—“haus
tambaran”— carry age-old symbolism. Papua New
Guinea’s art and handicrafts are world-renowned, and
reflect its great diversity of cultures. Pottery, carved wooden
masks and bowls, bilum or string bags, baskets, ceremonial
axes, clay and bamboo ornaments, charms and musical instruments
all make unique souvenirs of an unforgettable place. Uncover
the secrets of this fascinating land.
Size, Location, Population: Just 100 miles north of Australia, the country has an area stretching 1.4 million square miles and a population of 4 million. It is the largest island nation in the South Pacific.
Time Zone: Pacific Standard Time + 18 hours (+17 hours during Pacific Daylight Time).
Entry Formalities: Valid passport and roundtrip ticket beyond date of travel. Visa requirements vary and change rapidly.
Currency: The currency used is the kina, divided into 100 toea.
Bank Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am-2pm. Friday 9am-5pm
Departure Tax: K30 per person.
Electricity: 240 volts, AC 50Hz. Converters/adapters are required.
Language: More than 800 distinct languages. Melanesian Pidgin and Hiri Motu are two most widely used, but English is the official language.
Shopping: Monday through Friday 8am-5pm, and Saturday mornings. An excellent selection of handicrafts is available, including masks, wooden bowls, baskets, drums and story and spirit boards.
Tipping: Tips are neither expected nor encouraged.
Climate: The coastal region is very tropical, very humid. The highland region (Mount Hagen and Goroka) is pleasantly spring-like, and nights can be cool. Mid-80s year 'round.
Food: All hotels cater to European tastes, and the food is bland but wholesome. Port Moresby has many Asian and European restaurants. For something different, try a traditional meal of roast pork, sweet potatoes, rice and greens.
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