French Polynesia

This trip was 2 years in the making. We cancelled, rebooked flights and hotels a dozen of times due to Covid and Islands closures. Finally, on May 20 we were ready to fly. The beginning was not a smooth one. Our ride to the airport did not show up but thanks to out wonderful neighbours Alik and Lena we made in through Miami traffic to the airport just in time for the take off. The first leg was Miami to LA in just under 5 hours. It was a relatively easy flight. After two hours layover we boarded Air Tahiti Nui for an 8 hours flight to Papeete. One sleeping pill and I woke up when the screen indicated that there are 2 hours left before arrival. We landed in Papeete, passed a required Covid test and took a shuttle arranged by Costco Travel(more information about Costco Travel later on)to a ferry for a 30 minutes ride to an island of Moorea.

We stayed for 2 nights in Sofitel Kia Ora Moorea which sits on the edge of the crystal clear lagoon framed by jagged green mountains. Our room was a garden villa which was located practically right on the beach. The water in the Ocean was very warm (around 85 degrees ) and bright blue. We spent hours swimming and relaxing on the beach.

The weather was perfect and the evenings were pretty cool and not very humid. We did not realise that we are on the other side of the equator and it gets dark after 6.00pm I’m the summer. It appeared that May is one of the best month to be in French Polynesia.

Besides swimming we took a short hike to the view point above the hotel to see our resort from the above. As you can see from the pictures the view was stunning. Since we were in Moorea only for two days we did not go anywhere else. The only disappointment was the food in local restaurants. It was mediocre at best. Eating in the hotel was not great but better than anywhere else.

After two days we took a ferry back to Papeete to fly to Raiatea which is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia. We boarded our catamaran Solea (run by Tahiti Yacht Charters)in a quiet bay. The boat had five cabins but in my opinion it is only sufficient for four couples.

We spend six days on the boat. The French Polynesia islands formed as a result of the volcanic activity. Each of the islands is surrounded by a lagoon that is separated from the rest of the ocean by the natural barriers of coral reefs. To truly experience the awe of French Polynesia is the best from the water. We swam in the warm deep royal blue and turquoise waters of the South Pacific. We experienced magical sunrises and sunsets in the quiet lagoons with the drinks prepared from the eight bottles of tequila that we brought on board (purchased in LA). We snorkelled in the ocean coral gardens full of marine life. We saw the full view of the amazing landscapes with colorful tropical flowers and emerald volcanic peaks that spill onto white sand beaches. Each of the islands was covered with different shades of green tropical plants and trees. We visited pearl farm and vanilla plantation. The pearls were very expensive, the vanilla beans were very good and we bought some. We took a boat ride on the only fresh water river in French Polynesia and walked through a tropical botanic garden.

One night we had a visit of a herd of 10 sharks and one sting ray. The other day the dolphins followed our boat. Once the local wave runner was practicing on a canoe in the waves created by our boat.

The cook on the boat was extraordinary. Each meal was presented as a piece of art and was delicious. The highlights were marinated marlin, tuna sashimi in a tropical sauce, Poison Cru (fish marinated in coconut milk)that is a staple on the islands. We even had a barbecue of spare ribs, steaks and baked potatoes. Each dinner was followed by an exquisite desert. Tropical fruits such as tiny bananas, passion fruits and fresh coconuts were always in abundance on the boat. We even stopped in a local supermarket to get some foie gras, cooked duck, olives and marinated chanterelle mushrooms.

Between swimming, snorkelling, fishing, playing cards and relaxing on the deck six days flew by very fast.

It is very important to rent a hot spot for the Wi-Fi connection in the Papeete airport to be used on the boat. It was pretty reliable. Also water shoes, suntan lotion and bug repellent are a must. Snorkelling equipment, canoes, water boards are available on the boat.

On the last day of sailing we were approaching the most famous island of Bora Bora. Sun was lighting up the ragged shaped island with the crater in the middle. Early swim in the completely flat ocean at sunrise was a pure pleasure.

We reached our final destination Conrad Bora Bora Nui in the afternoon. The hotel is tucked in a cove of white sand and black lava rock. Located on the southwest end of Motu To’opua, a small islet floating between Bora Bora’s mainland and coral reef, the resort faces out toward the open ocean. Soaring Mount Otemanu was the backdrop to the hotel when approached it from the water. We finally got to stay in the amazing over the water villa. It is quite an experience to be completely surrounded by the water when you wake up.

The resort covered in a tropical fauna and surrounded by the water of especially vibrant colours is simply stunning.

There is a viewing point on the top of the hill above the resort to take great pictures of the surroundings.

The highlight of the stay was a boat tour to swim with the sharks and stingrays. We got to kiss a stingray and were surrounded by the sharks in the middle of the ocean. The feeling was thrilling and scary at the same time even though we were told that these black top sharks are not dangerous.

We also did some coral reef snorkelling at the end of the above tour.

Accommodations including daily breakfasts and dinners and transfers to the airport by boat(resort is completely surrounded by water) were arranged by Costco Travel. Costco prices were almost 50 percent cheaper than anywhere else. We were extremely happy that the food was included because prices in the hotel restaurants are overpriced. Unless you are willing to pay a very high price for a water taxi you are limited to eating in the hotel.

On the last day of our trip we just relaxed on the white sand beach. We we’re supposed to leave today but due to flight cancellations we had to spend an extra night at the resort.

Overall we had a great time exploring French Polynesia as our first post Covid international trip. If I had to do the trip again I would make it a little shorter: 4 days on a boat, 4 days in Bora Bora and the continue to Australia or New Zealand.