Hotel Kia Ora Sauvage, Rangiroa

I went to Kia Ora for drinks and had a very pleasant evening on the deck watching the sun set. Kia Ora has constructed a sand beach -- very pretty. Avatoru is a tiny, friendly village on the tiny, isolated atoll of Rangiroa. The waters are clean, the snorkeling is fantastic in the lagoon (harmless sharks and rays abound), and the people are really nice. Be prepared to be very laid back and do without luxuries (unless you're staying at Kia Ora, the high-end hotel). It's most affordable and -- for me -- the most fun to stay at a local "pension" (family guesthouse). I prefer Loyna's Pension, as the proprietress speaks some English. Don't expect night life in Avatoru. If you go there, it's all about enjoying the daylight hours, being relaxed, and getting far far away from Western culture. They speak Tahitian and French here, with only some people knowing English. Oh, and the beaches on Rangiroa aren't sandy, they're little pieces of coral rock. Avatoru is my favorite place in the whole world!