South Pacific Ports of Call... - Page 2

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:45 PM

Niue is a self-governing island in free association with New Zealand, in the Pacific Ocean. It is situated approximately 286 miles east of Tonga and 1,343 miles north-east of New Zealand. The world's largest uplifted coral island, Niue has an area of about 100 sq miles. The island's perimeter consists of uneven cliffs that drop abruptly into the sea. The interior is marked by a plateau that rises about 61 m (200 ft) above sea level. Niue is encircled by a broken fringing reef. The climate is tropical and humid and the official currency is the New Zealand dollar. There is no port in Niue and the only suitable anchorage lies off the town of Alofi.

Niue probably was settled more than 1,000 years ago by Tongans and Samoans. In 1774 the British explorer James Cook became the first European to visit the island, which he named Savage Island for the hostile reception he received. In the mid-19th century, missionaries of the London Missionary Society converted the Niueans to Christianity. Niueans petitioned Queen Victoria three times to place their island under the protection of the British Crown; they were successful in 1900. The following year, Niue was annexed by New Zealand as part of the Cook Islands. In 1904 it became a separate colony with its own administration. In preparation for self-government, the legislative assembly was established in 1960 and in 1974 Niue became self-governing in free association with New Zealand.

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:46 PM

The sub tropical Midway islands lie in the Pacific Ocean near the western end of the Hawaiian archipelago. They comprise two islands enclosed by a coral atoll with a circumference of 15 miles. The land area is only 2 sq mi (5 sq km). Annexed by the United States in 1867 they became a trans-Pacific staging post, a US base in WW2 and the scene of a major carrier-based air battle. All these facilities have since closed and the islands are now a National Wildlife Reserve and feature abundant birdlife.

The superb deep-water port of Apra is one of the busiest in Micronesia. It is also the gateway to Guam, the largest of the Mariana Islands and an American protectorate. The native Chamorro people are a fascinating cultural blend of Indonesian, Filipino, Mexican and Spanish stock. Their ancestors had already developed a complex society by 800 AD, living in elaborately decorated communal houses.

Guam, a territory of the United States, is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands in the north-western Pacific Ocean. It is located approximately 3,300 miles west of Hawaii, 1,500 miles east of the Philippines and 1,550 miles South of Japan. The only good anchorage is Apra Harbour, on the western coast and the capital, Agana, is just to the north. Although located in the Northern Pacific, Guam is truly a tropical island paradise. Approximately 30 (48km) miles long and 4 to 9 miles (14km) wide, the northern end of Guam is a plateau of rolling hills and cliffs rising to 600 feet above sea level. Waterfalls, rivers and bays abound throughout Guam's central and southern areas. The beaches of Tumon Bay offer gleaming white sand and crystal clear, calm waters for swimming, snorkeling.

Guam is one of the principal US defence fortifications in the western Pacific Ocean and is the site of extensive naval, army, and air force installations. Sights on the island include the ancient Latte Stone pillars of the Chamorro people, Spanish churches and shrines and several Spanish forts. Asan Bay was one of the main landing points for the American invasion to recapture Guam from the Japanese in 1944. Asan Beach is one of six units comprising the War in the Pacific National Historical Park, the other sites being Asan Village, Piti, Mount Chacho, Alifan, and Agat. Visitors to these sites can still see Japanese costal guns, pillboxes, caves and other relics.

The original inhabitants of Guam, the ancient Chamorro, are widely believed to have been of Indo-Malaya descent with linguistic and cultural similarities to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The first known contact with West occurred with the visit of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 and Guam was formally claimed by Spain in 1565. Jesuit missionaries arrived in 1668 to establish their brand of European civilization, Christianity and trade. During the Spanish period, the Catholic Church became the focal point for village activities and Guam became a regular port-of-call for the Spanish treasure galleons that crisscrossed the Pacific Ocean from Mexico to the Philippines. Guam was ceded to the United States following the Spanish American War in 1898 and formally purchased from Spain in 1899. The Japanese captured Guam in December 1941, during World War II, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Guam remained under Japanese control until reclaimed by American forces in July of 1944. In 1950 US citizenship was conferred on the people of Guam.

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:48 PM

Part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Chuuk Atoll (also known as Truk) is situated in the Caroline Islands, encompassing 15 large islands, 192 outer islands and 80 islets and one of the largest lagoons in the world measuring 50 miles at its widest point. Beneath the blue waters is a submerged museum of World War 2 Wrecks, more than sixty ships of the Japanese wartime fleet encrusted with coral. On them are fighter planes still in transports, trucks still lashed to the decks of freighters and officers' china and utensils with brand names still recognisable. The lagoon has been declared a monument, and salvage and souvenir taking of relics is prohibited by law.

The main island of Weno (formerly Moen) is the capital and commercial centre. For an outstanding view of Weno and the lagoon, climb into the old lighthouse built during Japanese occupation and visit the Truk Continental for a stroll in the coconut palm grounds with splendid views across the water to Dublon Island formerly the Japanese military headquarters. On Sapou overgrown vegetation partly conceals the remains of what was once a city, while at Fefan, craftsmen carve Chuukese lovesticks. And on Pulap Atoll the villagers still build seagoing canoes using traditional methods, and are adept at celestial navigation.

The Federated States of Micronesia comprise Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Yap, four island states of more than 600 tiny islands and atolls, stretching almost the entire width of Micronesia, 1,800 miles across the western Pacific from east to west. Each speaks its own language with its own distinctive culture, traditions and history.

This is the largest island in the Eastern Caroline group and the capital of the FSM. It it is 2,900 feet high, 13 miles wide and has lush vegetation and abundant rainfall washing into streams, rivers and tumbling water falls. Unlike other Micronesian islands it has tropical jungles, mist-covered mountains, mangrove swamps and exotic flora. Its main landmarks are Sokehs Rock, a steep cliff face and Nan Madol, an ancient stone city built on 100 artificial islets off the south-east coast. Once home to the ancient Saudeleur kings and said to be over 700 years old, this Venice-like community was once complete with canals, stone towers, and bridges. Near to the ruins is the spectacular Keprohi Waterfall and snorkelling amidst the vivid marine life inside the lagoon.

The main town is Kolonia where you can see the Spanish Wall, built in 1889 as a boundary for Fort Alphonso XII. Nearby is the Catholic Mission Bell Tower, all that remains of the old German church torn down by the Japanese during World War 2. Nearby is the Nanpil River and a large natural pool and further upstream the spectacular Liduduhniap Twin Waterfalls. The bird watchers will want to keep their eyes peeled for the endemic Pohnpei fantail and Pohnpei flycatcher.

Part of the Federated States of Micronesia, Yap is situated in the Western Carolines, between Guam and Palau. It is off the main tourist route and is made up of four main islands - Yap Proper, Tomil-Gagil, Map and Rumung, plus ten small islands including Gaferut, Ifaluk,Satawal and Woleai, all within the boundaries of a beautiful coral reef. The landscape is rolling hills, lowlands covered with jungle and a coast of mangroves and occasional coral beaches. Snorkelling and diving are popular in the crystal clear lagoon. The town of Colonia on Yap Proper is the capital and where you will find the stone money of Yap (largest in the world) though not legal tender in the international currency market, is still used as legal tender on the island.

Some of the best traditional navigators in the Pacific live on Satawal Island, still navigating their oceangoing canoes by the stars and ocean swells. Visit the village where these “ancient mariners” live and examine the giant canoe houses dotting the shore. The inhabitants of Ifaluk Island are the most traditional of all the Eastern Caroline Islands, and the inner lagoon is shallow and breathtakingly beautiful. On Gaferut discover the noddies, terns, and boobies and turtles, but few others visit this migratory resting place. Woleai, one of Yap's outer islands, has an appealingly simple lifestyle, friendly people and beautiful beaches.

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:53 PM

Unspoilt Niuatoputapu is one of the 40 odd islands that make up the stunningly beautiful Vavau island group, in the north of the Kingdom of Tonga archipelago, still remains off the beaten track of mass tourism. Lying to the north of the main Vavau Island this is a place where you can hike around the barren lava flows, or swim or snorkel in the pristine waters. The attractions are basically the isolation, the wonderful scenery, and a friendly people.

Tonga is distinctly different to its neighborhood island nations. It is the oldest and last remaining Polynesian monarchy and the only Pacific nation never brought under foreign rule. Made up of four main island groups, Tongatapu in the south, Ha'apai, Vava'u, and the Niuas in the far north, the kingdom's 170 islands are sprinkled over 700,000 sq kms of ocean. Fewer than 50 of the islands are inhabited and Tonga's total population numbers less than 100,000.

Nuku'alofa, the capital and largest town of Tonga is on the north coast of Tongatapu Island in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the island's chief port and principal economic, administrative, and tourist centre. Copra, vanilla, and bananas are exported. Petroleum deposits were discovered offshore in the 1970s. The red-roofed Royal Palace (1865-1867) on the waterfront, is a major landmark. In 1643 the Dutch navigator Abel Janszoon Tasman landed here.

In 1781 Spaniard Francisco Antonia Mourelle was the first western explorer to sight the Vava'u island of Tonga. Vava'u and the other 40 odd islands that make up this stunningly beautiful group, in the north of the Kingdom of Tonga archipelago, still remains off the beaten track of mass tourism. This is a place where pressures are washed way 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 plantations.

On the main island of Vava'u is located the group's tiny capital Neiafu perched above Port of Refuge Harbour, unquestionably one of the most beautiful natural harbours in the world. Neiafu and its surrounding villages are home to about a third of Vava'u Islands overall population of about 20,000. The majority of the Vava'u people live in small villages dotted on the islands throughout the group. Try to visit Swallows Cave and Nuku Island while you are there.

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:54 PM

Pitcairn Island is located in the central South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Australia and South America. It covers an area of about 5 sq km (2 sq mi) and is the main island of a group of islands forming a dependency of the United Kingdom. This group also includes the uninhabited Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno islands. Pitcairn Island is of volcanic origin and is characterized by steep basaltic cliffs that rise abruptly from the sea. The island has fertile soil but no streams. Oranges and bananas and other crops are grown in the subtropical climate. Adamstown, the only village on the island, is on the northern coast, near Bounty Bay.

Pitcairn Island was discovered in 1767 by a British naval officer, Philip Carteret, and named after the sailor who first sighted it. The island was uninhabited until 1790, when it was occupied by mutineers of the HMS Bounty accompanied by a group of Tahitian men and women. The community was not discovered until 1808, when American whalers visited the island; at that time only one of the British sailors was still alive. In 1856, because of overpopulation, about 200 of the islanders were transferred at their own request to Norfolk Island, although a number of them returned afterwards. In 1957 the remains of the Bounty were discovered on the southern end of the island. In 1970 Pitcairn was placed under the jurisdiction of the British high commissioner in New Zealand.

One of the most picturesque and geographically diverse islands in the Society Group, Huahine is located 109 miles northwest of Papeete. Enclosed in one single lagoon, it covers 75 square miles. Huahine is actually two islands: Huahine Iti and Huahine Nui (Little Huahine and Big Huahine). They are part of the same landmass and are attached by a bridge over a channel connecting the bays of Maraoe and Port Bourayne. The highest point on the island, Mt. Turi, reaches about 2,200 feet and is located on Huahine Nui. Mt. Tavaiura in the Fitii Peninsula looks like a laying women's face, leading to her chest and her round belly, hence one of the interpretation for Huahine's original name (pregnant woman). Huahine's administrative center and largest settlement is Fare. Maeva, the other major community on Huahine Nui, is separated from Fare by about six kilometers (4 miles) of road tracing the northern coast of the island.

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:55 PM

Lying to the north of the Equator in the Eastern Pacific, the Marshall Islands are an atoll of tiny islands, resting on a crescent-shaped coral reef, and form a large lagoon with a surface area of 1,100 square miles. Kwajalein island is a United States Army Base, and home to approximately 1000 other Marshallese natives who commute to work everyday in a boat called the LCM. This small tropical island measures only ½ mile wide and 3 miles long, and is a small oasis in the Pacific Ocean, as it is surrounded by thousands of miles of unmarred and tranquil sea.

Comprising over a thousand flat coral islands of white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons, the Marshall Islands beckon visitors with all the promise of a tropical paradise. There's pristine diving and lush tropical greenery, and the Marshallese people retain many of their precolonial crafts and traditions, especially on the outer islands. The flipside to the paradise picture is that many of the Marshallese still struggle with the after-effects of the 20th century's nastiest technology. Several of the islands - the Bikini Atoll in particular - served as testing sites for atomic bombs through the 1960s, and many of their inhabitants have suffered from radiation poisoning, while their home islands remain too contaminated to be resettled. And yet, despite these hardships, you'll find the Marshallese exceptionally welcoming and their culture and identity alive and well.

Majuro is a very narrow, 60 mile (95km) long boomerang-shaped atoll in the southeastern corner of the chain. The largest town on Majuro, dubbed D-U-D (an abbreviation for the islands Darrit, Uliga and Delap), is on the eastern end of the atoll. In town, visit the Alele Museum, which has displays depicting the early settlement of the country. Near the museum is the Marshalls Handicraft Shop, a wonderful institution run as a women's co-operative.

Laura, a small town on the western end of the atoll, has a good snorkeling beach. Much of the rest of the lagoon is polluted. Just past the airport, on the way to Laura, is the Peace Park Memorial. The small granite memorial, erected by the Japanese government, honours all the soldiers who fought in the Pacific during World War II.

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 03:58 PM

Moorea in the Society Islands, which has often been likened to James Michener's mythical island of Bali Hai, is only 11 miles (17 km) from Tahiti. Many visitors say it is worth the visit just to see Moorea's spectacular bays. The volcanic peaks, reflected in the tranquil waters of Cook's Bay and Opunohu Bay, rise like a shark's jaw from the island's basaltic base. The mountain slopes are covered with pineapple plantations, and sandy beaches border crystalline lagoons.

Whether you choose to visit the turquoise lagoon or the majestic mountains you'll remember Moorea with fond memories. Shopping is quite good on Moorea. You can find hand-painted designs on clothing that is ideal for the tropical climate. Shop for precious black pearls, curios, perfumes, pareus, sundresses, etc.

The diving and snorkelling here is excellent. Sighting of sharks on nearly every dive make this island a popular diving destination and the reefs of Moorea are beautiful and rich in hard coral diversity. The inhabitants surrounding the reef are multicolored tropical fish and invertebrates. At times a tuna will come by or dolphins will be heard clicking just out of sight. In the months of August to October, humpback whales are often seen near the entrance of Cook's or Opunohu Bay.

Raiatea and Taha'a are two separate islands sharing the same lagoon. Located 120 miles (210 km) northwest of Tahiti, between Huahine and Bora Bora among the leeward Society Islands, Raiatea is the second largest island of French Polynesia after Tahiti. An island tour reveals lush green valleys, numerous waterfalls, pineapple and vanilla plantations.

Discover fascinating underwater scenery within Raiatea's deep lagoon which is rich with fish, and surrounded by mountains. Explore Marae Taputapuatea, Faaroa Bay and River.

Rangiroa, with its 42 mile long by 16 mile wide turquoise lagoon, is the largest atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago and the second largest in the world. Only 300 miles northeast of Tahiti, Rangiroa offers sunshine, white coral beaches and an immense playground for water sports and activities. It has more than 240 motu (islets) separated by more than 100 hoa, small channels that make up its ring of coral and in the center of the inside lagoon is the Paio motu.

On the northwest side of the atoll is Avatoru, the main village opposite the Fara motu whose lagoon is said according to the legend to have been breached by the two twins Moana-tea ("Peaceful Ocean") and Moana- uri ("Wild Ocean"). The main government buildings are to be found here, including the Mayor's Office, the Post Office, the Pearl Industry Research Center together with a mother of pearl and pearl culture Crafts Center, and two churches.

Try the amazing snorkeling or scuba diving through the pass amongst thousands of colourful fish of all shapes and sizes together with 3 or 4 varieties of sharks. Or visit the other village of Tiputa by boat. Situated at the eastern end of the motu, near to the second main reef entry point, it has houses ringed with bleached coral and fenced with flowering hedges. A boat will also take you to the bird sanctuary on Motu Paio and the famous "Blue Lagoon" of Toeo'o.

The Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia, lies to the east of Tahiti, in the eastern South Pacific Ocean.The group comprises about 80 atolls extending, in two parallel chains, over a distance of 1,400 km (870 miles).

**Ally** · 08-13-2006, 04:01 PM

Aitutaki is one of the Southern Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The island sits atop an underwater mountain and is surrounded by fringing reef which then slopes steeply to deep water. It is one of the 15 tiny islands that comprise the Cook Islands, spread over 770,000 square miles of sea. The capital of the Islands is Avarua located on on Rarotonga.

Religious effigies are the main surviving works from the area, and both abstract and semi representational sculptural styles can be found. Gods in human shape were also carved on Aitutaki; they resemble Tahitian figures in posture, but their hands are more oval, their features are mere slits, their bellies droop and protrude, and their limbs are puny and square in section.

James Cook landed on numerous islands in the southern group between 1773 and 1779 and named them the Hervey Islands. In 1888 the Cook Islands were made a protectorate of Great Britain, and in 1900 they were annexed to New Zealand. In 1965, the Cook Islands became self-governing in association with New Zealand.

A raised volcanic island in the Cook Islands southern group, Atiu is surrounded by a reef from which rise six-metre cliffs of fossilised coral - makatea - which form a mile-wide ring around the island, virtually a plateau. Atiu is known as “Land of the Birds,” and you can view nesting birds and with luck, you may spot one of the very rare Kakerori (Rarotongan flycatcher) now being reestablished. In common with most islands in the southern group, Atiu has only a small, shallow lagoon. It compensates, however, with many picturesque, sandy beaches and caves filled with stalactites and stalagmites formed in the fossilised coral limestone. The Anatakitaki Cave, is inhabited by tiny kopeka birds which navigate in the dark using sonar, like bats.

Atiuans trace their ancestry from Tangaroa, the principal god of Atiu and universally recognised in Polynesia as God of the Sea. The Atiuans were a fierce, warrior people and before the arrival of the missionaries busied themselves with making war on their neighbors and eating significant numbers of them. Male visitors can enjoy the esoteric delights of the "tumunu" or bush beer party with them.

Untouched by tourism as yet, Manihiki is one of the Northern Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is a beautiful atoll comprising 40 tiny islets encircling the 2.5 mile (4 km) wide lagoon. This completely enclosed body of water is the source of the island's greatest asset - its black pearls. Manihiki sits atop an underwater mountain rising 13,000 feet (4000 m) above the ocean floor. In common with most atolls, Manihiki is flat and only a few feet above sea level. The island was traditionally a food source for the islanders of nearby Rakahanga but now much of the population of the island is involved in pearl production in some form or another.The pearl is making a comeback in the world of high fashion jewellery and the South Pacific black pearl is a major new player. The black-lipped mother of pearl shell Pinctada margaritifera is a native of the South Pacific and thrives in the clear, unpolluted waters of the lagoons of the Northern Cook islands.

Palmerston Atoll is the most northerly of the Southern Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. The island sits atop an underwater mountain and is surrounded by fringing reef which then slopes steeply to deep water. This tiny island, only one square mile in size, was settled by Englishman William Marsters in 1863, and its population of 50 are all descendants of him and his three Polynesian wives. Olde English – with a distinct Gloucestershire accent – is still spoken on the island.

Rarotonga is one of the Southern Cook Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Land at the port of Avarua on the northern coast of the island, the administrative centre of the Cook Islands. Since Rarotonga is the youngest island in the Cook Islands southern group it has less erosion than its other volcanic neighbours and it features sawtooth peaks and razorback ridges covered with tropical jungle. These are separated by streams running down steep valleys. The island is surrounded by a lagoon which extends several hundred yards to the reef which then slopes steeply to deep water.

The central mountainous region is unpopulated and its highest parts near Te Manga (652 m/2,139 ft) consist of cloud forest, an ecological wonderland. This area begins at about 1300 feet (400m) and contains many species of plants unique to the Cook Islands. These include the ascarina (kaiatea ko'u), the glossy tongue fern and the Rarotongan freycinetia (kiekie), a plant similar to pandanus. Visit the Takitumu Conservation Area to see the flora and Rarotonga's endangered flycatcher bird, the kakerori.

In 1997 Japanese archaeologists unearthed a previously unknown 'marae' (sacred site) on Motu Tapu, an islet in the lagoon at Ngatangiia. This is estimated to be 1500 years old which would put settlement much earlier than local legend. Based on the evidence of fires, archaeologists have estimated that there was human life on Rarotonga about 5000 years ago. It is believed that Rarotonga's inhabitants today are largely descended from voyagers from the Society Islands and the Marquesas.