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ous denominations in each village.
Fiji was a big favorite. The people were very welcoming and when passing us on the street would say bula, which means hello and welcome. Again, we took local buses, which allowed us to socialize with the local people as well as save money.
Noumea, New Caledonia, was a wonderful experience. It’s a French territory and much like the French Riviera but even lovelier — rich in nickel and chromium and very upscale. In Ile des Pins, New Caledonia, the beautiful beaches were right out of James A. Michener’s “Tales of the South Pacific.” The sand was powdery white; the water crystal-clear turqu- To contribute to Your Travels, send a large, high-resolution JPEG attachment photo and a description or essay of up to 400 words to traveleditor@arizonarepublic.com. We’ll contact you when your item is scheduled to be published. oise.
New Zealand was as delightful as we had heard. The people seemed so happy and helpful. Our first stop was Bay of Islands, a beautiful and historical area where in 1840 Maori chiefs and representatives of the British crown signed the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand. Our next visit was Tauranga, New Zealand, a charming waterfront town with more friendly people.
We spent a few days in Auckland, where we enjoyed the Auckland Museum and the Sky Tower. At about 1,075 feet, it’s New Zealand’s tallest building and has a view for miles in all directions.
Then it was on to Sydney, where we enjoyed the harbor with its famous bridge, opera house and many fabulous restaurants. We did many walkabouts on our four days there. Then it was time to return to Arizona, which is always our first love.