Paradise Island

Advantages: Pristine beaches, clear seas, tropical fish.
Disadvantages: Mosquitos, humidity, some negative male attention, nothing to do per se.

.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Despite my issues with Samoa, parts of the country are pretty and do fit into the picture postcard island paradise stereotype. I have a number of happy memories which I would like to share with you here. Firstly, not far from Apia is the Papasee'a Sliding Rock. We spent an enjoyable day swimming in these amazing pools and waterfalls, hidden amongst the rainforest and shaded from the sun. You can slide down the huge rocks on the waterfall water and straight into the pools which is great fun. We attracted a lot of attention here though as this is mostly a local spot, but this was harmless attention from the local youth. The beach we stayed on Upoli was deserted and beautiful, when the tide went out the reef is partly revealed and many colorful tropical fish can be seen just swimming about. This was an amazing sight and apart from... Read review

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Advantages: Absolutely stunning scenery, friendly people
Disadvantages: Long time travelling

...-back for that. One enjoyable thing we did one evening was go to a traditional dinner at the Edgewater Resort, on the western side of the island. A fabulous dinner of traditional foods of all kinds was followed by some not-so-traditional but equally fabulous desserts. Then, after we were fit to burst, we were treated to a show of traditional drumming and dancing, involving much hip-wiggling and coconut-bras. Great fun! OUTER ISLANDS If you do go to the Cook Islands, an absolute must-see is at least one of the islands other than Rarotonga. We spent three heavenly days on Aitutaki, and it was absolute paradise. You know all those pictures you’ve seen of tropical islands, palm trees swaying, turquoise water and endless sunshine? Did you ever imagine lying in a hammock between two palm trees over brilliant white sand with the crystal clear... Read review

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Advantages: Soft white sandy beach with Crystal clear water, Great Diving!!!
Disadvantages: Tourism is not quite as developed yet; in the island fresh water is expensive on the island.

...I was on Gili Trawangan island in 2004, It is one of the Islands around Lombok, that was my last trip to Lombok but the best among my trips to Bali and Lombok. Actually It is undeniable that Bali is still a beautiful and relaxing place for vacation, but for me still Lombok better. Why?? Because I found that over the years Bali has lost its touch and now it become too commercial and too westernize. Lombok is still pure in its culture and tradition and especially for a scuba diver like me this place is a paradise with its underwater ecosystem. Lombok has been compared to Bali and is often referred to as how Bali was 50 years ago. However the island is very different from its easterly sister in culture. Yes, the island of Lombok is located east of Bali. Tourism is not quite as developed yet as Bali and it is that reason which makes... Read review

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