Fanning Island Gift Ideas

[TexasAlexus]

We are sailing June 9th and will be stopping at Fanning Island. I want to take something for the children, but am unsure what they may like. I wanted to bring something other than school supplies, because it seems like they get those brought often. Any ideas? Also. does anyone know how many items I should bring? Thank you to anyone who can share ideas.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2004;1;17;19;0;00&timezone=GMT-0600[/img] [img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=dc143c&cdt=2004;6;9;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]  6/9/04 Norwegian Wind to Hawaii

[Suebee]

When we went in January, we didnt bring anything and I dont remember seeing anyone bring things either. Like you, I didnt want ot bring something they get all of the time, and the thought of bringing something they dont need bothered me. The best thing you can do for them, I feel, is to buy their good while there...that puts cash in their pocket for when the shipments from Australia come in.

The general store there has australian beer and lots of sodas and other goods...you will see the cans, batteries etc on the ground. (I say that so you know that they are getting things from the outside world) I also saw in one house several huge store-sized bins of penny candy...so I know the kids are getting that. They are really not as untouched as NCL would lead you to believe.

If you really want to bring something for the kids specifically, what about bubbles? or matchbox cars? I also would be careful about bringing a lot of things that break easy or that we consider 'throw away toys' because they arent really good about putting trash in recepticles...and trash pickup is when NCL is there.

I am sure others have ideas....but I still believe that purchasing some goods is the best thing....JMO (Just My Opinion)

NCL Star 1/04
What's Next? Alaska 2005 - Ask me about an official CC group!

[TexasAlexus]

SueBee- I really appreciate the insight. I was thinking about taking some soccer balls for the school and some pinwheels for the kids( my 9 year old's idea).I never want to treat someone like they are a charity case, yet I feel grateful to the residents of the island for allowing us to visit. I will be sure to buy lots of handmade goods also. It'll be nice to get something authentic; without a made in china sticker on the bottom [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] My son bought one of those large chess sets in Cozumel with the "Mayan" theme.We drug it all the way back home, then read the label that said it was manufactured in Dallas,Texas....30 miles from our home! Oh well, we still like the set, but we felt rather silly. Thanks again for the information. I'm so excited to be coming to your home town. We will be there one week from today.We flew into Honolulu about 5 years ago on our way to Kauai and regretted that we did not get to spend some time there. This time we are flying in 2 days before our cruise so we can enjoy Honolulu as well. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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[spleen93]

As Suebee says, I would be cautious about bringing stuff in. At this point, Fanning Island is VERY well visited ... most gifts that people would bring have been brought. As she says, buying their goods may be better. There have been comments made by former cruisers to Fanning that the gifts that they brought seemed not to be received with great enthusiasm ...

Spleen

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[TexasAlexus]

spleen- Thanks for update. I guess I will just go ahead and bring extra money to buy more items while we are at Fanning Island. Helping the economy makes sense. Can you believe it's almost cruise time for the both of us already. I want to thank you and SueBee and other Hawaii residents on this board for sharing all your great information. I have used so much of it while making plans for this cruise. Mahalo nui loa.(I hope I got that right! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]) I hope you have a safe trip and a wonderful cruise. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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[spleen93]

Let's both have a great time on our respective cruises! And you're very welcome (you got it correct [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]) Thanks for the good wishes!

Spleen

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Carnival Conquest - W. Caribbean - 10/03, Celebrity Infinity - Alaska - 6/03, Ocean Princess - Alaska - 7/02

[Suebee]

Have a fantastic time and make sure to come back with a review!
Sue

NCL Star 1/04
What's Next? Alaska 2005 - Ask me about an official CC group!

[rnewste]

We did the Star cruise(s) in March and November of last year. Really enjoyed the day at Fanning as the highlight of our trip. I did the ship's photographer tour (sign up at the photo shop a day before) and got some really unique digital photos of the Island and its people.

Regarding gifts, they are really stocked up on school supplies, etc. by now due to so many visitors. We did the map books and astronomy guides, etc.

What I really had fun with the second cruise visit, was picking up 6 kites at the ala Moana Mall in Honolulu, and flying them with the kids on Fanning. Seems most of them had never flown (or even seen) a kite before, so watching the expressions on their faces was really memorable. You might want to bring a handful of kites and enjoy the "child" in you, on your visit with the children on Fanning Island.

Ray [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[TexasAlexus]

Thanks Ray for the tips. I'll be sure to look into the ship's photographer tour. That's sound like a really fun thing to do, I hope they offer it on our sailing. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

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[aambard]

Like most ex-teachers from Hawaii, I always bring books for the school ---they are always much appreciated---I last brought a set of Harry Potter titles. I had a lot of fun in January with a package of several hundred stickers----the kids were delighted and soon every kid was adorned and showing off for their friends. The one thing to avoid is candy---the Gilbertese do not have easy access to dental care.

April Ambard
CruiseOne

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1/04 Crystal Harmony
7/03 RCCL Monarch of the Seas
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[sassycruiser]

We loved Fanning Island. My son bought a wonderful sword and I bought a mask and some Christmas ornaments. The people were friendly -I tried to talk to some but I guess they just have a basic English knowledge. We didn't take any gifts, but felt that we made our contribution by buying the items the locals made and were selling. I actually wish I had bought more but was worried about carrying all my souveniers back!

[maggie and ed]

i took some small rubber balls ( about a dozen ) and the children just mobbed me to get them. also i took four soccer balls one i gave to a small boy and one to a group of three girls. the rest went to the village counsel to be given out they are in need of snorkling equipment so if any body has any extras feel free to take them . look for an american ? selling things by the world famous Johnnys store i believe his name is chuck he has the 60 foot sail boat in the harbor called the Fanning island trader. he speaks the language and when i asked him to help me find some kids to give the remaining soccer balls too he got the village counsel together and introduced me and the wife to them . it was too bad the last tender was leaving because i would have loved to spend more time with these people. mostly buy there crafts these people depend on the cruise ships to make a living .