Here is a description of the trip from the Adventures Abroad web site:
This is an itinerary like no other -- 100% unique! We explore an amazing array of islands in the South Pacific, including Palau, Samoa, Guam, Vanuatu, Tonga, and the Solomon Islands (as well as time in Manila). Showcasing the most traditional cultures and exotic tropical landscapes in Oceania, this 24-day South Pacific tour will astonish travellers with its diverse landscapes. During this adventure we will visit remote island communities and explore tropical landscapes. From soaring volcanic peaks to remote island villages, this tour will present unique encounters with native Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian peoples. Explore lush jungles, stroll beaches brushed by palm fronds, view smoking volcanoes, and visit remote shorelines as part of this South Pacific adventure.
Because many of the islands of the Western Pacific are geographically isolated, and due to their proximity to different landmasses, they are as different from one another as it is possible to be. Though many of these islands can be visited individually, this is a rare opportunity to be able to explore this entire region. We will stop at some of the more remote islands and appreciate the differences in landscape, culture, history and nature. Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean, and this tour will explore islands in all three sub-regions of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.The islands we visited (starting in Guam and ending in Samoa) are indicated by red stars in the map below.
Note that the Pacific is divided into three areas, which are mostly distinguished by the characteristics of the people and where they originally came from. Melanesia was populated thousands of years ago by dark-skinned people (aboriginals) from Australia, while Micronesia and Polynesia were populated by lighter skinned people who originated in what is now China and Taiwan. As we'll see, the people living in the different areas look quite different.
Now, a few answers to anticipated questions:
Q: Did Brenda go with you?
A: Nope, she was off attending a writing workshop in New Mexico.
Q: How many people were on the tour:
A: There were 16 people on the tour, plus a tour leader and local guides and drivers. Almost all of them had been to over 130 countries.
Q: What languages do they speak in these countries?
A: Literally everyone we encountered spoke English. In some places (Guam, for example), English was the official language. In other cases there was a national language, often some form of Pidgin English, but in those countries everyone also spoke English.
Q: How did you get from country to country?
A: As I mentioned, the countries are so spread out, there is very little boat traffic between them. Thus, we had to fly. As you might guess, there are no non-stops between places like Tonga and Palau, so we had to do a lot of connecting flights, most through Fiji. Among the airlines we flew were Korean Air, United, Air Niugini, Air Nauru (even though we never actually went to Nauru), Air Fiji and Air Vanuatu.
Q: How was the food?
A: Generally very good, with a lot of barbecued meats and grilled fish. In some places (Tonga and Samoa in particular), they did a lot of cooking with coconut milk.
Q: How was the beer?
A: Mostly lagers, with an occasional dark lager thrown in.
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| Guam Beer: Brewed in Wisconsin |
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| SolBrew--Solomon Islands |
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| Vailima--Vanuatu |
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| Cass--South Korea |
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| Red Rooster--Palau |
Q: How was the weather?
A: Miserably hot and humid in Guam, Palau, and the Philippines, but unseasonably cool and breezy in most of the remaining islands. We had one day where it rained all day (on Samoa, I think), but other than that, rain was never a factor.
Next: Days 0 to 3 -- South Korea and Guam
