39-Day World Cruise: Pearls Of The South Pacific

The capital of Western Samoa on the northern coast of Upolo Island in the Southern
Pacific.

A city of stunning natural beauty, Auckland blends the best of the modern cosmopolitan world with that of a Polynesian paradise. Nestled between two beautiful harbors, this marine playground offers breathtaking views and more than 1,000 bays and beaches. Shop the colorful Victorian Park Market or the charming boutiques of Parnell Village. Explore museums brimming with artifacts of the Maori culture. Or enjoy the natural splandor of the city, from English-style rose gardens to extinct volcanic sites. Popular landmarks are One Tree Hill and Mount Eden.

It means “the gathering place,” and whoever named Oahu knew what he was talking about. For millions gather here every year to enjoy “the jewel city” of Honolulu, from Diamond Head and the world-famous beaches of Waikiki to the inspiring memorials of Pearl Harbor, to the only royal palace ever constructed on U.S. soil. And if you’re a board-bug, don’t
miss the legendary surfing beaches of the North Shore.

The main city on the Island is Honolulu, with Waikiki being the primarybeach and resort hotel area. Among the many popular things to do on Oahu, the Polynesian Cultural Center and Sea Life Park, on the opposite side of the Island from Honolulu, are very popular.

The “Garden Island” is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the Hawaiian Islands, because of its lush, tropical rainforest, desolate moonscapes and more than 40 spectacular beaches. Life on Kauai is unhurried from the Na Pali Coast to Waimea Canyon with plenty of unforgettable beaches and stunning waterfalls in-between. Most people have already seen Kauai on the silver screen as the lush, Eden-like backdrop for hundreds of films including Blue Hawaii, South Pacific, Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Outbreak and Gilligan’s Island. Yet the camera’s lens could never do the island justice. Some of the best golf courses in the Hawaiian Islands are found on Kauai, including the Poipu Bay Resort Golf Course, known from the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, and the Prince Courses at the Princeville Resort.

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the U.S., ranking second only to that of New York in size. The city, which attracts thousands of tourists yearly, is noted for its parks; for many and varied museums; for its enormous Music Center and Convention Center; for the fossil-rich La Brea Tar Pits; for its ethnic communities; for its climate and beaches; and for its educational institutions, including the Univ. of Southern California and the Univ. of California at Los Angeles. The 1932 and 1984 summer Olympics were held in the city.

Sydney, capital of New South Wales, is Australia’s largest city, chief port, and main cultural and industrial center. Manufactures include ships, refined oil, chemicals, textiles, and automobiles. Sydney Harbour and Port Botany are the main ports. Founded as a penal colony in 1788, Sydney is Australia’s oldest settlement. Its population surged during the Australian gold rushes of the 1850s. Sydney replaced Melbourne as the nation’s largest population center after World War II. Landmarks include the Sydney Harbour Bridge (1932); the Gladesville Bridge (1964); the modernistic Sydney Opera House complex (1973); and the Centrepoint Tower (1981), Australia’s tallest building. The city has several universities and museums, including the National Gallery of Art and the Australia Museum.

The region surrounding Rotorua offers both thermal features and insights into Maori culture. Trout fishing is abundant
as well as golfing at the famed Mount Maunganui.

Vava’u and the other 40 odd islands that make up this stunningly beautiful group, in the north of the Kingdom of Tonga archipelago, is a very special piece of paradise. Now easily accessible from Tongatapu, Fiji and Samoa through airline connections. Vava’u, to its advantage, still remains off the beaten track of mass tourism South Pacific travel routes. This is a place where you can be free to be yourself. Where pressures are washed away by the gentle lapping of the sea on stunningly beautiful white coral sand beaches and the whisper of the trade winds through lush green coconut plantation.

On the main island of Vava’u is located the group’s tiny capital of Neiafu perched above Port of Refuge Harbour, unquestionably one of the most spectacular and beautiful natural harbours in the world. Neiafu and its surrounding villages are home to about a third of the Vava’u Islands overall population of about 20,000. The majority of the Vava’u people live in small villages dotted on islands throughout the group. Situated at Neiafu are all the government agencies including the hospital, customs and immigration departments, police headquarters, the post office and a variety of small shops, two supermarkets and the region’s fresh produce market.

The climate in Vava’u is very pleasant being year round slightly cooler and less humid than most neighbouring countries in similar subtropical latitudes. The temperatures range between 18-25 degrees Celcius during April through October and 24-32 degrees Celcius between November and March. Trade winds blow a fairly constant 13-18 knots during winter month with the breeze being more light and variable during the summer. At times the lush verdant islands attract passing rainclouds and on such occasions the skies open up with breathtaking tropical downpours giving everyone an enjoyable cooling rainbath. Here life is still simple – people find time to enjoy the wonders of nature.