South Pacific Overview
By Lynne Christen
Far away from the clamor of the world, the South Pacific region (also called Oceania) is composed of over 25,000 islands in Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia. Straight from Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific, islands like Tahiti, Bora Bora, Pago Pago and Fiji evoke visions of running away to an ultimate tropical paradise. Turn wristwatches back a century while moving to ancient tribal beats after a kava ceremony on Yap. Don’t worry about headhunter legends in the Solomon Islands; today’s islanders are warm and welcoming. There is also world-class diving on WWII wrecks around the site of the Battle of Guadalcanal. Head to Samoa (the last place on earth to see the sun set) to bid goodbye to the day. Go on walkabout in Australia’s Outback, dive the Great Barrier Reef and climb the amazing Sydney Harbour Bridge, if you dare. Say thanks for Mother Nature and the Kiwis in New Zealand for snowcapped mountains, dramatic volcanoes and exotic rainforests. Heed this warning: The South Pacific may be habit-forming. Some travelers come to visit and stay a lifetime. Go!
