Tahiti: a beautiful land with beautiful people. Note the more forceful dance style of Tahitian male dancers compared to the softer more sensual movments of the female dancers. Also notice the elaborate body art visible on some of the men. Local women tend to have designs placed a little more discreetly.

For more information on the Society Islands, contact
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
Jacintha@IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 392-1520 or (866) 345-ISLE

The Tahitian Islands are a sensory experience. Enjoy the sensuous dance movements performed by these Tahitian female dancers.  They are the exotically beautiful women who inspired artist Paul Gauguin, appearing throughout his distinctively vibrant paintings of French Polynesia.

For more information on the Society Islands, contact
Jacintha Perera, Tahiti Tiare Specialist
Jacintha@IslandGetawaysTravel.com
(916) 392-1520 or (866) 345-ISLE

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

For a view of Tahiti from a different vantage point, the luxurious and intimate mv Paul Gauguin,which was designed specifically for French Polynesia, sails through the Society Islands on a 7-night cruise itinerary part of the year. Unlike larger cruise ships, this vessel blends well with the environment rather than dominating it with sheer size. Ports of call include the islands of Tahiti and Raiatea with overnight stays in Moorea and Bora Bora. The European staff is gracious and accommodating to your vacation needs and wishes.

This small ship has an upscale yacht-like ambience with a maximum of 330 passsengers. As  a 6-star luxury product, it features all oceanview staterooms ansd suites, gourmet meals with pouring wines and spirits, shipboard activities and entertainment with a local emphasis, plus 24 hour room service.

The unique rear watersports platform offers complimentary watersports such as kayaking, windsurfing and waterskiing. Snorkeling equipment is provided for guest use throughout the voyage and comes in handy during the stop on their private Motu Mahana, next to the island of Tahaa neighboring Bora Bora. And the onboard Carita Spa of Paris is an oasis of pampering.

This is truly a seamless way to travel through these idyllic islands. It is one of those rare experiences that warrants repeating just for the pure pleasure of it. Many passengers do return for a repeat performance. Out of decades of worldwide travel experience, it remains one of my personal top 3.

Luxury for Less: You can experience the Paul Gauguin for yourself on the September 26 – October 3 Society Islands cruise at very attractive discounted fares. Rates expire August 15 but I anticipate that space will be gone before the deadline! I recommend that you act quickly to get this travel steal.
http://www.islandgetawaystravel.com/Gauguin.htm

I will discuss other sailing options in August: yacht charters in the Tuamotus Atolls and freighter travel in the Marquesas Islands.

The Pearl Resorts of French Polynesia are laid across the Society Islands, Tuamotus Atolls and the Marquesas Islands like a strand of pearls. I will take you to the latter two collections as this tour progresses there next month.

The Bora Bora Pearl Resort has two outstanding features. As a truly polynesian style resort, it has garden and beach bungalow suites that are a unique alternative to the classic overwater bungalows and villas.

These units have interior bedrooms with outdoor bathrooms incorporating  natural materials: palm, bamboo, driftwood, coral and shells. The bathroom area is open to the air but enclosed for privacy within a private garden courtyard. Some have a small plunge pool or jacuzzi. The garden units are set in a lush tropical setting while the beach suites front onto the beach with views of Mt. Otemanu. I prefer these to the overwater bungalows at this location.

As an aside, for some unexplained reason, there is a 18 hole miniature golf course in the gardens for guest use. I noticed this as I walking back to the the spa. Quite amusing. I haven’t seen this at any other resort in Tahiti.

The Manea Spa at the Bora Bora Pearl is one of the finest here. I will just give you a quick sneak peek for the time being.

The resort also offers a weekly yoga class and more extensive one week 6-session workshops offered as scheduled. Classes last approximately an hour with mats and props provided.  The emphasis is on basic yoga poses for stretching and relaxation. There’s nothing quite like yoga on the beach!

The Bora Bora Inter-Continental Thalasso Resort has taken things to another level. It was designed in  a very hip, contemporary style with public areas (restaurants, bars, pool) deliberately facing Otemanu. The beautifully appointed spacious 3 room villas perched over the lagoon waters all have stunning views of the main island and lagoon as well.

This is the first hotel in the world to have cold deep ocean water pumped up to the surface to air condition the entire facility. Not only is this cutting edge in terms of technology but it is also environmentally friendly at the same time. This is the same source for the water that is used in the Thalasso spa treatments at the elite Deep Ocean Spa, the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

Thalassotherapy treatments are based on the benefits of sea water and marine elements. The marine climate, seawater, marine mud and seaweed are all employed for their preventative and curative properties.  Water drawn from the depths of the Pacific Ocean is particularly rich in minerals and trace elements. It is heated to near body temperature so essential nutrients can be absorbed by the body.

This world class destination spa offers an extensive menu of treatments, a veritable ocean of well-being. I would begin with the special jet lag massage and go from there. Hmm, the foot reflexology sounds good too.

Excuse me while I slip into a spa robe. See you in the tea lounge later.

Continuing our fish theme, tonight we boat transfer over to the mainland and visit one of the most famous restaurants in French Polynesia.
Bloody Mary’s is a not-to-be-missed institution on Bora Bora. Take a moment to read the wooden signs on either side of the entrance listing the names of famous people from all over the world who have dined here.

 
As you will step under the thatched roof, you will be entering a polynesian fantasy world. Take off your shoes, place them in the conveniently located cubbies and feel the sand floor under your feet. Just inside you will see coconut-tree stump bar stools and the dining area beyond.

Fresh seafood is brought in daily by local fishermen. A  hostess will show you everything that is available from an iced display. You may choose fish, lobster, even steak or chicken for the chefs to prepare on the grill. Enjoy a tropical cocktail as you wait for your meal to be delivered to your table.
You will get very relaxed. Just keep track of how many drinks you have or you may not be able to find your sandals at the end of the evening.
Good thing there’s a designated boat driver to get you back to your resort!

For those of you who seek an activity that is a little more edgy and exciting, I suggest a shark feeding excursion.

Earlier, Captain Arii had attracted small black tip sharks within the reef area.  These are a smaller, less aggressive type of shark that generally avoid human contact.

Here, he looks on as swimmers float on the surface and view sharks on the lagoon bottom. Catch of the day takes on  a whole new meaning!

 My underwater photography skills are non-existent. I have neither the specialized equipment nor the technical know-how. My disposable waterproof camera produced murky blue-green impressionist images that only I would recognize. Normally, my camera is an extension of my right arm. This is a time to leave it behind and be fully present. Just float, breathe, and observe.

There is some controversy surrounding the way this activity is conducted by some operators. Some tours take participants into the water and hold them at a distance before bait is thrown out, causing a feeding frenzy. Animals in the wild are unpredictable and they probably haven’t read the script. I wouldn’t want to be mistaken for shark bait.

When I am selecting soft adventure activities, I consider interest level, fitness level and safety. I don’t believe in forced fun or undue risk. With me, there is never any pressure to exceed your comfort zone. Overall, it must be enjoyable and memorable, not extreme or dangerous.