The raffle prize this month contains products from Tahiti: a Tahitian pareo (sarong) from Arii Creations on the island of Raiatea for her, an Air Tahiti Nui ball cap for him; exotic fruit jams in ananas, banane et pamplemousse (pineapple, banana & grapefruit) flavors produced on the island of Moorea, vanille de Taha’a (vanilla bean pods) grown on the island of Taha’a; fragrant Tahitian tiare (gardenia) soap with dish  and a Tahitian tiare scented candle; 2 shell leis and an assortment of seashells; and finally a jeweled palm tree photo frame to hold vacation memories of this tropical paradise.

Tahiti Gift Basket

Congratulations to the winner  of this gift basket: Maggie Fraser of Sacramento, Calif.
Enjoy the sensory delights within your prize!

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Tuamotus Atolls Virtual Tour.
See Archives August 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 3: Creature Comforts

One of your first observations will be the contrast in geography. The high peaked mountains, lush valleys and hidden caves characteristic of the Society Islands are replaced by stretches of empty beaches and groves of coconut palms, silent except for the lapping of waves and the gentle rustle of trade winds. These are low-lying atolls where life is relatively simple and with few distractions.

That is NOT to say you will be limited to living Robinson Crusoe style. The small Hotel Kia Ora provides creature comforts albeit with a certain rustic charm. Do not expect the fashionable features of a world-class Bora Bora Resort . But they are not really needed or missed here.

Their overwater bungalows are extremely popular, especially with honeymooners.  The glass coffee table that serves as a viewing window and direct access to the water from the deck are lovely appointments.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Society Islands Virtual Tour.
See Archives July 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 17: My Blue Heaven

Photo Courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

The main island of Bora Bora is surrounded by numerous motu. In fact, the airport is built on one of these islets and is only accessible by ferry to the main village of Vaitape or by private boat from the individual resorts. A helicopter transfer is also available to the neighboring private island resort of Le Tahaa. Due to the geography, pre-arranged boat transfers are a must. You cannot take a taxi or rent a car to cross the lagoon to your accommodations!

Bora Bora’s captivating beauty is world-renowned. It is where the rich and famous have come for decades. It is one of the top 5 honeymoon destinations for couples.

You can see from the air that Bora Bora’s lagoon offers everyone the living ocean in myriad hues of blue and green. This area is well-protected by motu and reefs providing calm, clear waters for all types of water sports and all varieties of sea life.

It is one of the favorite islands for a mermaid like me.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Society Islands Virtual Tour.
See Archives July 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 9: A Room with a View
Location, location, location.

There are three important considerations when deciding where to stay: 1) convenience and facilities at the location, 2) proximity to sightseeing, activities, restaurants/shopping, etc and 3) a room with a view.
I don’t think you came all this way to spend time in traffic getting to places or to look out & see shrubbery or the back of another bungalow.

The Tahiti Inter-Continental is a full service resort. It is one of the two hotels closest to the airport & also offers easy access to downtown Papeete. It enjoys a prime waterfront location. However, it does not have  a beach as there is none on this part of the island. The majority of its rooms have a lagoon view or panoranic view of the Sea of the Moon and Moorea. (See Day 1 Post or Photo Album – “Love at First Sight”)

I recommend the hotel rooms and I stay here myself. I have spent early morning hours on the balcony, sipping complimentary cups of tea from mini bar, mesmerized by that spectacular view, watching the daily activity below: gardeners manicuring the grounds, guests jogging along the path, local canoe clubs paddling back and forth. Honeymoon couples taking those priceless vacation photos.

The Moorea Inter-Continental is close to Opunohu Bay, nestled between the mountains and the sea, with a beachfront location. The individual thatched-roof bungalows are larger than a hotel room with separate living and sleeping sections plus a porch or deck. These can even house families with a twin size day bed and a pull out trundle bed underneath.

Garden units have a view of the tropical landscaping or other bungalows whereas the beach bungalows sit directly at the edge of the sandy beach.
I do recommend the lovely hotel rooms which are centrally located  and well apppointed. However, I would consider upgrading to a beach bungalow for the unique opportunity to live in your own very comfortable “little grass shack” on the beach.

Both resorts do have overwater bungalows. I would describe these as partial or shallow overwater units. These are built on land with a deck that extends out a few feet over the water or they are directly over very shallow water just off shore. For the full overwater experience. there are other more spectacular  locations which I will discuss later.

Of course, other properties have their distinct features and benefits as well but the same points apply.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

This an excerpt from the Tahiti Society Islands Virtual Tour.
See Archives July 2009 in the left sidebar for the entire tour.

Day 2: The Water’s Edge

On a small island, the water is never very far away. And people seem to naturally gravitate to the water’s edge.

The sand-bottom infinity pool at the Tahiti Inter-Continental Resort was deliberately built out to the water’s edge. Special features include a swim-up bar to the left and a small rock-lined grotto pool at the rear (not pictured here). Definitely a cool place to “hang out” & relax after your flight.

In the midground, the Le Lotus gourmet restaurant extends out over the water. It is well-rated and very popular with both local residents and international visitors for special occasions. The perfect place for a romantic dinner a deux.

Probably the most enduring icon of Tahiti is the overwater bungalows which can be seen in the background. These come in a  wide variety of designs and sizes. Not all of them are created equal.  A garden or beach bungalow has a very different ambience than a shallow or deep  overwater bungalow or villa. These vary quite dramatically from location to location.

Special note: I am NOT a professional photographer. This image is exactly how I framed & shot it with my digital camera. No special lenses. No special techniques. No editing. If you were standing in my footprints, your snapsot would look just as lovely. Tahiti is one of very few places where the photos match the reality.

On a small island, the water is never very far away. And people seem to naturally gravitate to the water’s edge.

The sand-bottom infinity pool at the Tahiti Inter-Continental Resort was deliberately built out to the water’s edge. Special features include a swim-up bar to the left and a small rock-lined grotto pool at the rear (not pictured here). Definitely a cool place to “hang out” & relax after your flight.

In the midground, the Le Lotus gourmet restaurant extends out over the water. It is well-rated and very popular with both local residents and international visitors for special occasions. The perfect place for a romantic dinner a deux.

Probably the most enduring icon of Tahiti is the overwater bungalows which can be seen in the background. These come in a  wide variety of designs and sizes. Not all of them are created equal.  A garden or beach bungalow has a very different ambience than a shallow or deep  overwater bungalow or villa. These vary quite dramatically from location to location.

Special note: I am NOT a professional photographer. This image is exactly how I framed & shot it with my digital camera. No special lenses. No special techniques. No editing. If you were standing in my footprints, your snapsot would look just as lovely. Tahiti is one of very few places where the photos match the reality.

For more information, go to:
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com

Question: What lies at the end of the world?

pier at Le Maitai Hotel, Fakarava

Answer: Fakarava, the second largest atoll in French Polynesia with its large lagoon and pass. Not only is it a world class diving destination, it has also been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The ONLY hotel is the Le Maitai Dream Fakarava. It serves as a home base for sailing and diving excursions. You can also go down the road to “town”.

Each remote atoll has a quiet little village with only the essentials: the all important dock for the periodic supply boat; a small grocery store, more the size of a mini mart than a supermarket: a church since the missionaries had been here saving pagan souls plus a couple of snack shops and pensionsor guest houses. Fakarava is no different. I was amused by the fact that they have no bank. The money arrives each month on the supply boat.

After a few days, it is time to return to “civilization”. I will take you out to one of my favorite hideaways, Tikehau, a picture postcard atoll with pink and beaches, on a future virtual tour of private islands.

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

I noticed several bicycles parked at the Manihi Pearl Resort. The manager informed they that they were available for guest use free of charge.

I pondered that for a moment before I realized that we were on an island. You could take one out on a ride and pedal and explore until you were tired and ready to come back. There was nowhere to go but full circle.

You couldn’t take it off the island. It was too big and conspicuous to carry onto the small inter-island flight so theft was not a concern. And if you abandoned it, no worries, I imagined eventually someone would return it.

It’s almost time to come full circle back to Papeete where we started.
Just one more stop at the end of the world.

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Photo Courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

Commonly referred to as “Black Pearls”, the Tahitian cultured pearls actually come in a  rainbow of exotic jewel-toned colors. The warm lagoon waters are an ideal “broth” for incubating the oyster shells and encouraging pearl growth. The final product is influenced by water temperature, nutrients and possible pollutants. Only about 7 out of every 100 shells will produce commercial grade pearls. The value is based on several factors: size, shape, color, luster, and lack of defects.

You will see many local residents, both men and women, wearing Tahitian pearls on a daily basis. There is a plethora of pearl shops in downtown Papeete as well as boutiques at major resorts and on cruise ships.

My favorite local designer is the lovely and talented Tahia Collins, a resident of the island of Moorea, now an internationally acclaimed jewelry designer. Her elegant exclusive creations can be viewed in boutiques throughout the islands.

I am blessed to have several Tahitian pearls and look forward to adding to my collection over time. They are the perfect mermaid’s jewels after all.

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Meanwhile, above water, an employee gives a fascinating talk, alternating in both English and French for foreign visitors, about the lengthy & labor-intensive process involved in pearl cultivation. It’s hard WORK and unlike the finished product, there’s nothing glamorous about it.

A professional grafter imbeds a “seed”, a small bead, in each black pearl oyster as an irritant to initiate the growth process. The live oysters are tended with care over a 3 year period – periodically inspected, cleaned, lowered/raised as necessary – as layers of organic matter are built up coating that nucleus. Then the final harvesting reveals the tiny percentage of valuable pearls actually produced and suitable for sale.

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597

Photo Courtesy of Tahiti Tourism

Commercial fishing, mother-of-pearl production and copra (coconut) plantations were once the mainstays of activity in the Tuamotus. Now that has been replaced by the much more lucrative enterprise of pearl farming.  Today, there are over 300 pearl farms throughout the archipelago. Many are family-owned and operated on isolated motus.

It is possible to visit one of the 30+ black pearl farms around Manihi. Below the surface of the clear blue lagoon,  clusters of individual oysters dangle down along long lines, filtering water and nutrients that may eventually nurture a beautiful pearl.

photo courtesy of Tahiti Tourisme

For more information, contact:
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
www.IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 897-9597