paradise - Passports Overloaded

Suva, Fiji 2025

March 16, 2025 – March 16, 2025

Indulge your eco-senses in the mountain pools of Colo-i-Suva Forest Park on a rainforest hike followed by a relaxing visit to Raintree Lodge. You’ll head out from cosmopolitan Suva for a scenic drive by island bus into the lush mountains behind the capital. Your primary destination is known as Forest Park, and the name definitely fits. This sprawling swath of primeval green Fijian rainforest is more verdant and peaceful than most other spots on Earth – and today, you’ll be hiking through a section of it.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Suva (2025)

Apia, Samoa 2025

March 14, 2025 – March 14, 2025

Apia is located on the northern shore of Upolu, Samoa’s second largest island and home to spectacular rainforests, waterfalls, sand dunes, beaches and brilliant sunrises and sunsets. Writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent the last four years of his life here and is buried on Mount Vaea, overlooking the village of Vailima and the home he built there, which is now a museum in his honor.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Apia (2025)

Pago Pago, American Samoa

March 12, 2025 – March 12, 2025

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Pago Pago

Huahine, French Polynesia

March 8, 2025 – March 8, 2025

Cruise through the gorgeous lagoon surrounding Huahine and stop along the way for a refreshing dip in translucent, turquoise waters. This picture-perfect setting captures the classic South Pacific of our dreams, a fabulously lush, unspoiled paradise where coconut palms are among the most substantial structures – all ringed by pale, clear waters. And one of the best ways to appreciate this idyllic landscape is from the shaded salon or open-air trampoline decks of a catamaran. This shallow-draft vessel is ideal for snuggling in for spectacular, up-close views of tiny coves that deeper-hulled boats can’t reach. As you circle the lagoon, you’ll see that Huahine is actually made up of two main islands, both of volcanic origin – with just the trace of a sandy land bridge connecting them at lowest tide. After a time spent admiring it all from the boat, your captain will find a perfect spot to stop so you can slip into the water and enjoy the delicious feel of the South Pacific itself on your skin.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Huahine

Raiatea, French Polynesia

March 6, 2025 – March 6, 2025

Discover great beauty above and below the water on this Taha’a island lagoon tour with a drift snorkel through its vibrant reef. While it shares a gorgeous lagoon shaped like a figure eight with its sister island, Raiatea, laid-back Taha’a is definitely the underdeveloped sibling. You’ll have a chance to savor this pristine character as you travel by covered motorboat for some 50 minutes along the island’s sparsely populated western shoreline. Over one shoulder, lush green hills descend to the waterline, while over the other, the magnificent turquoise waters of the fringe reef seem lit from within. In time, you’ll disembark on an uninhabited motu islet sitting just off the coast.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Raiatea

Bora Bora, French Polynesia 2025

March 4, 2025 – March 5, 2025

Since we were in Bora Bora overnight we decided to stay in one of those cool over the water bungalows at the Four Seasons.

Our friend Maurizio made this amazing video of his sunset cruise in Bora Bora

Rangiroa, French Polynesia

March 3, 2025 – March 3, 2025

Wetraveled to one of Rangiroa’s renowned black pearl farms, learn how these lustrous treasures are produced and graded, and browse for unset pearls at the onsite shop. It’s certainly very much a hands-on operation, too, as you’ll soon see as the farm staff provides some background on the evolution of the industry and on how these special black-lipped pearl oysters are selected, grown and grafted for production. After hearing it described, you’ll see the process underway as you tour the work sheds and observe a grafter skillfully plying his trade. After a time, you’ll have the opportunity to view a selection of unset black pearls available for purchase. Shape and luster are both key components of the pearl grading scale, and your guide will demonstrate the criteria used.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Rangiroa

Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia

March 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025

Take a guided group drive by 4WD caravan into the lush valley described by Herman Melville and survived by 2001’s intrepid Survivor contestants. A famously rugged paradise, Taipivai Valley spectacularly beautiful, rich in archeological sites, and yours to discover during this adventurous excursion. Melville was first to bring this place to the attention of the outside world in his 1846 bestseller, Typee. Part novel, part real-life travelogue, the book recounts Melville’s month spent living as guest and captive of the exotic – and reputedly savage – locals after deserted his whaling ship here on Nuku Hiva. The fact that the Survivor TV series chose to base their 2001 competition here indicates how little things have changed in Taipivai Valley in the intervening years.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Nuku Hiva

Fakarava, French Polynesia

February 27, 2025 – February 27, 2025

Pure, pristine and dreamlike, the ecosystem of this gorgeous island is home to extremely rare birds, plants and crustaceans. Quaint villages, old coral churches and welcoming people are intertwined with a spectacular lagoon creating a paradise like none other in the world.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Fakarava

Moorea, French Polynesia

February 26, 2025 – February 26, 2025

Enjoy a scenic orientation drive around Moorea’s ring road, see the views from high Belvedere Lookout, and visit galleries showcasing island artwork. The distance around this idyllic island is only some 38 miles and the route is loaded with captivating sights and photo opportunities. Ride past fields of pineapples ripening in the sun, visit an ancient Tahitian stone temple, or marae, en route to the Belvedere, where magnificent views of Cook’s Bay, Opunohu Bay and Mt. Rotui await.

If you would like to see where and what we ate while visiting Moorea

Alphabetic Links of Where We’ve Been