Feel free to imagine a view from any of the private homes pictured here. And by all means, take your time. On this south Pacific island, haste is a foreign concept and leisure is a way of life. In fact, a local road sign warns, "Slow Down, You're Here." It's a reminder for wound-tight visitors who take the 35-minute ferry ride from a major metropolitan hub to change gears on this serene wonderland of Maori ruins, boutique wineries and white-sand beaches. The island, whose name means "cascading waters," sits in a gulf that's sheltered from the sea. And while there's plenty of mother-country-spun culture and cuisine, there is only one stoplight on this 37-square-mile island. That may be one reason about 8,000 people call it home. It's time to make your daydream come true.

Photographer R. Ian Lloyd shot this with a Canon EOS 1Ds. The shutter speed was 1/400 second at f/6.3 and ISO 200.

If you can name the island, which will be in next issue's "Best Islands to Live On" feature, send your answer in by June 12, 2009. Readers who submit the correct answer to us will be entered to win a prize package courtesy of ISLANDS.

ISLANDS next issue - On Sale June 23, 2009

• Best Islands to Live On
• Inside the New Cuba
• Uncover the Real Oahu