"Kiribati" Top 5 Page for this destination Kiribati by Rusket

Kiribati Travel Guide: 92 reviews and 212 photos

The Republic of Kiribati conists of three groups of islands on both sides of equator and on both sides of the date line: Gilbert Is., Phoenix Is. and Line Is. Christmas Island (Kirimati) in the Line Islands lies south of Hawaii, Tarawa in the Gilberts north of Fiji. 1. january 1995 Kiribati altered its time zones to make all of its territory lie in the same zone as the Gilbert Islands (GMT +12). Due to this, Kiribati was the first country to see the new millenium :-) That is how I heard about Kiribati, and why I wanted to go there.

The I-Kiribati, the people on Kiribati, are of mixed heritage, although mostly micronesian. Just look at this picture. Some people look polynesian, some mauri and some asian. The islands have been under influence of chinese traders, they have been a british protectorate, they have been occupied by the japanese and the americans and nowadays there are missionaries and relief workers from here and there. Looks like they have all left some genes ;-) Well, not the woman to the right, that is me :-)

The picture is taken in the livingroom at the guest house on Butaritari. In the evenings they used to put up a television set and a diesel driven power generator and show films on TV-CD's. Since we were guests, we were allowed to choose film :-) The whole village came to watch, and we felt a bit awkward to be given the best seats, while all the other people stood behind us.

Oh, my, my moose has become a VT member too, and has built his own Kiribati page, the little rascal!

More info:

This page, including tips, is based on our vistit on three of the atolls of the Gilberts. In addition I have made a Gilbert Islands page about specific experiences on Abaiang and Butaritari, a specific Tarawa page and separate pages about the towns Betio and Bairiki.

Informative site

Only three of the 8 atolls of the Phoenix group are inhabitated: Gardner, Sydney and Hull were colonized by people from over crowded villages in what was then called The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony in 1938, when they took over the lease.

This site by Jane Resture is very informative, with many pictures. She and her co workers write about all the islands, history, culture, world war II, nuclear testing on Kirimati (Christmas Island) and a LOT more.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:With the right skills you can live without money

Last visit to Kiribati: Nov 2001
Intro Updated Nov 1, 2005
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Reviews (21)

Airport restaurant Restaurants (1)

Local people gather in the shadow and offer fresh coconut and home made stew to travellers and spectators :-) more travel advice

Meet the locals Local Customs (8)

In the coastal areas of Finnmark, Norway, people have the habit of taking a stroll on the wharf when boats arrive. In... more travel advice

Sunsets and moonshine Nightlife (1)

Not much light polution on Kiribati, especially not on the outer islands. Watching beautiful sunsets and moonlit sky is... more travel advice

Ainen Karawa Memorial Primari School - Kiribati

Education Favorites (1)

Kiribati has all levels of education. They participate in a cooperation called The University of the South Pacific, with... more travel advice

Transportation (4)
See All Fanning Island Cruises
Things to Do (4)
See All WWII relics

Comments (24)

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hunterV Mar 9, 2008 at 9:37 AM

Great place, nice presentation of your trip! Thanx!
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Travmad Jan 14, 2008 at 7:29 AM

While reading J Maartin Troosts book. I find this island chain interesting. I'm not sure if you have read the book but are the conditions as dire as as described?
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GMaples Jan 16, 2007 at 10:43 AM

Recently spent 3 months on Christmas Island.. There is now weekly air service via Air Pacific between Fiji and Honolulu stopping at CXI each way every Wednesday.
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RickinDutch Nov 17, 2006 at 4:42 PM

Wonderful pages - I enjoyed living your adventure vicariously! Hope to sail from island to island one of these days! Thanks for sharing.
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bijo69 Aug 26, 2006 at 7:13 AM

Interesting page! Must have been already an adventure to get there !
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kenHuocj Aug 17, 2006 at 8:02 AM

now this is real travel to out of the way desitnations; in the late 60's a friend's friend from USA via S Africa visited Rodriques, east of Reunion ;-)
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xuessium Jun 30, 2006 at 11:56 PM

You should read the travellogue "The Sex Lives Of The Cannibals" then. Nothing risque; it's about Kiribati living. Hilarious.
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starship Feb 28, 2006 at 9:17 AM

Very interesting part of the world. I am intrigued by your statement that with the right skills you could live without money. It must have been quite expensive just to arrive in Kiribati.
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pepples46 Jan 14, 2006 at 12:18 PM

wow, Karibati is on my list I just need to hopp on a plane. the L.C. are very interesting, bio Toilets a good idea. tks for a lovely page. greets from NZ have a great 2006
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icyjo24 Dec 26, 2005 at 2:52 AM

Interesting pages on Kiribati.. would love to go there one day...