Paradise Found
A Tour of the Islands of Tahiti with Sally Hathaway
Many writers have called Tahiti and its islands the most beautiful in the world, and many agents at Atlas Travel would agree. When Senior Atlas Vacation Specialist Sally Hathaway visited Tahiti recently, she had the opportunity to experience paradise and learn what true relaxation really is. So how do you find paradise?
Well for starters, Sally flew on Air Tahiti Nui, the national carrier of Tahiti. They believe the Tahitian Experience should begin the minute you step on the plane. While greeting you, the flight attendants are wearing their formal blue suits and handing you a Tiare blossom (a Tahitian Gardenia), the fragrant national flower of the islands. Once on board, the attendants change into national dress. You see Tahitian art on the walls, listen to Tahitian music, and receive Tahitian hospitality at its best! After a 7½-hour flight from Los Angeles, you arrive at the Faa'a International airport in Papeete, on the Island of Tahiti and receive a traditional Tahitian flower lei.
“It's always great when the journey can be part of the adventure,” said Sally, “and this is one case where you find exactly that.”
Welcome to Papeete
First stop for Sally's group was the Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti. Featuring lush surroundings and beautiful waterfront views, this Tahiti resort hotel on Lafayette Beach is ideal for a French Polynesian honeymoon, vacation or business getaway. The Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti offers all the amenities expected of luxurious Tahiti hotels, including an infinity swimming pool, an on-site spa and a Business Centre. The oceanfront resort on Matavai Bay offers warm island hospitality and a tranquil atmosphere, inviting guests to relax and unwind.
The next night they stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel Tahiti, only a short 7-10 minute coach drive away from the airport. The property, on a beautiful stretch of beach, faces the northwest, and the spectacular sunsets you find all over Tahiti. Looking towards the horizon, you can see the beautiful tropical Island of Moorea only 12 miles across the Sea of the Moon. The hotel has two swimming pools, one an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, and the other, larger and great if you want to swim laps. It also has a lagoonarium, a shallow pool where you can swim with some fish (but you can also do that in the ocean), tennis courts and 30 acres of tropical gardens.
“I am an avid gardener,” shares Sally, “so the flowers in Tahiti were a highlight for me. Seeing them in pictures is one thing, but in person they are just magnificent.”
In downtown Papeete, there is a large local market, called the Marche. It is two floors high; the first floor sells fish, meat, vegetables, straw products and coconut products to the local people. The second floor has every souvenir you could imagine. The Marche is open 7 days a week, but on Sundays, only for the local food…no souvenirs at all on Sunday.
Onto Bora Bora
Next to Bora Bora. Bora Bora is small, only 17 miles around, but what an island! James Michener called it the most beautiful island in the world, and we would agree. The airport is on a motu (a small island in the lagoon) and you take a boat to your hotel.
The first stay was at the Intercontinental Le Moana on Matira Point on the south end of the island. Small, cozy, intimate, it has the feel of old Polynesia. Matira Point has small shops and a number of restaurants nearby. While staying at the Le Moana, you can also use the facilities for free at the Intercontinental Resort Thalasso across the lagoon on the reef. The Thalasso is a WOW hotel! Large Overwater Bungalows only. An intimate wedding chapel with a glass floor over a fishpond has the same spectacular views of Mount Otemanu across the water as the rest of the hotel. This is the spot if you're looking for excellent dining, peace and quiet, and a fabulous spa as well.
While there, she experienced a Shark/Ray Snorkeling Safari. While it sounds scary, these sea creatures are very harmless.
“These agent trips are very busy,” said Sally, “but the benefit is that we cover a lot of ground and come back prepared to share all of our experiences with our clients. We don't have the chance to stay at every wonderful hotel…there are so many…but we do tour or eat at most of them.”
Sally's group did a site inspection at the Hilton Bora Bora Nui, which is on a separate motu, a 10-minute boat ride from Vaitape, Bora Bora's main town, which is only about four blocks long. The Hilton is a large (think spread out) hotel, facing out to the open ocean. Site of the Bachelorette finale 2010, it is a favorite for romantics and families as well. One restaurant has a sand floor to remind you that you're in Paradise. Their excellent spa is on the side of a hill, with the most amazing panoramic views of ocean and sky. Their wedding site (outside) has the same fabulous views. The spacious villas, with huge deck, living room, bedroom and bath are luxurious and inviting.
A boat transfer took the group from the Hilton Bora Bora to the St. Regis Resort Bora Bora, where they stayed the night. Here visitors find yet another level of splendor with an Oasis Pool (a natural wonder), central pool with a swim-up bar and saltwater private lagoon with native fish and stingray. The array of overwater villas and oceanfront villas is truly extraordinary.
Next the Vanilla Island – Tahaa
From Bora Bora, the group took a flight to Raiatea, The Sacred Island, which is the second largest Tahitian isle. From there Sally enjoyed a boat ride to Tahaa, which offers a glimpse of the traditional life of the Tahitians. You actually can smell the rich aroma of vanilla in the air.
The group stayed at Le Tahaa Island Resort and Spa, which has an unsurpassed view of Bora Bora from its ocean side. Their overwater bungalows are some of the largest in the South Pacific with “Tahitian Televisions” (otherwise known as a glass topped coffee table with the open floor beneath it, so you can feed the fish from inside your room.) Rustic in a way, but also luxurious, this is a way to get back to nature in a way you've never imagined.
The resort offers 48 overwater suites and 12 beach suites, which are large and located under the trees at the edge of the coconut grove. Each has a private patio in a small tropical garden with a private plunge pool. The bathroom has an outdoor tub and is very beautifully decorated.
After immersing themselves in this natural and relaxing oasis, they were on a flight back to Papeete and onto their last stop in paradise…
Ferry to Moorea
From Papeete, Sally took the Aramiti Ferry to Moorea, a 30-minute ride. This is a great way to see the island scenery. The island is 37 miles around with two bays: Opunohu and Cook's. Moorea is very green, very lush, and very quiet. That's the thing you notice most. There was literally no noise. According to Sally, there's very little traffic, no horns blaring and few, if any, planes overhead.
“What you can hear is the sound of the breeze rustling in the palm trees, tropical bird calls and the sound of the waves lapping on the sandy shore,” she said. “It's a very serene place.”
She enjoyed her stay at the Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort and Spa, set against a stunning mountain backdrop that melts into a crystal clear lagoon, filled with an abundance of tropical fish. A large, comfortable hotel with beautiful bungalows, lush gardens and excellent dining.
Another night was spent at the Moorea Pearl Resort and Spa. The Garden bungalows with a private plunge pool are like being in Eden. Private (fenced in) with lush foliage and an outdoor shower, you can relax and luxuriate in your own private world. The beach and overwater bungalows are amazing as well.
Before returning to civilization by plane, the group enjoyed a ferry ride back to Papeete where they were just in time for the Sunday evening Le Roulettes… food trucks that set up shop on the waterfront on Papeete to sell Polynesian foods like poisson cru and French specialties such as crepes. Each truck offers something unique and it's a matter of walking along the waterfront and browsing the chalkboard menus to find what strikes your fancy. There were impromptu bands and a very authentic feeling to take away with you.
Alas…visitors are just that and they have to leave paradise, but at least the flight back across the ocean is on Air Tahiti Nui once again.
For more information on Tahiti or other favorite destinations around the globe, contact Sally Hathaway at 508-488-1108 or email sally.hathaway@atlastravel.com.
